TWINKIE'S JOURNAL
...from San Francisco
Crochet designer Twinkie Chan thinks about how to put a twist on a trend and rises above the cactus cacophony.
Trends are fickle and fascinating. As makers, we have the choice to craft along with what’s popular, feel part of a greater creative community, and even make money by supplying a current demand. Remember when everything at the craft fairs had moustaches on them? Skull and crossbones? Owls?
My advice to people starting a crafty business has always been to buck the trends and not be a trend follower but be a trend setter. I honestly believe that standing out uniquely (and perhaps oddly) is the only way that my own brand got off the ground. I have always been a bit of a misfit, and my instinct is to avoid what is trending, whether that’s to my benefit or detriment! So, what have I been avoiding exactly for the past couple years?
SWEET ON SUCCULENTS
I’m not sure if this trend is solely a California or US thing, but our craft and design scene is bursting with succulents and cacti – actual plants in various artisan planters, miniature clay succulent jewellery, cactus pillows, cactus tea towels, (you must Google 'succulent nail art'). And yes, also crocheted succulents. Don’t get me wrong. I think crocheted cacti are super cute! I have even bought some from my friend Kristen Rask of Schmancy. They look adorable in my house, and, bonus, they’ll never die. But would I ever crochet them myself and sell them in my own shop? Probably not. So many people are selling them already, and I don’t want to add any more noise to the cactus cacophony.
ADD YOUR OWN TWIST
In April, my friends at www.creativebug.com asked if I wanted to be a guest on their Facebook livestream and make a fun Easter project. One of the challenges of livestreaming a crochet piece for 15 minutes is that you want the tutorial to be short, sweet, and entertaining. Moreover, for Easter, I didn’t want to re-hash familiar bunny and baby chick crochet patterns. I wanted to push the envelope a little bit. I emailed Creativebug my idea and some inspiration photos, wondering if it was all too weird, but they loved it: baby cacti egg cosies, nestled in terracotta pots. Not your traditional Easter theme, but trendy, familiar, and a sneaky way to hide eggs during an egg hunt! Plus, I must admit, after making samples to take to the studio, I fell 100% in love with my succulent children.
My love has turned into an obsession. Now I want to make cactus EVERYTHING. Cactus hats, cactus scarves, cactus mittens. I had a basket filled with yarn for my cactus crochet
"My love has turned into an obsession. I want to make cactus everything!"