We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ellison Daniels a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Ellison thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s jump back to the first dollar you earned as a creative? What can you share with us about how it happened?

I started my business during COVID. I had been crocheting for over 10 years at that point and I knew it was a great way to pass the time. A coworker reached out to me and asked if I would make her a blanket. I was so happy to help her pick out the perfect colors and I remember working on it for hours and hours at a time. When I met up with her and got to show her the finished project, the excitement appreciation that she had for the blanket was the reason why I still have Elli’s Crochet Critters to this day. I realized in that moment that I don’t crochet for me but I really crochet so other people can enjoy what I make. I made my first customer order/ my first dollar on that order and it meant the world to me and still does.

Ellison , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am Elli Daniels and the proud owner of Elli’s Crochet Critters. I am a self taught crocheter of almost 15 years and I make anything crochet but my fan favorite are my critters. I started crocheting when I was in middle school because I saw my Grandma knit and she said that she always wished she knew how to crochet so I started watching YouTube videos to learn. I have been crocheting ever since. I only started making money with my crafts when I started my business during COVID because I wanted to push myself and learn how to make more than just the usual hats, scarves and blankets. One of my mom’s friends taught me how to read crochet patterns and then I was off to the races. I make my critters from patterns that I usually get off of Etsy because I want to support small businesses as often as possible. The thing I am most proud of when it comes to my business is how much people love the things I make. The fact that I am able to make things that bring people so much joy is why I love making my critters. I think the main problem I solve for people is knowing they have someone to go to when they need a personalized and unique gift for someone. The gifts I always appreciate the most are the ones that are handmade and I feel the same goes for other people. Being able to help make a special gift that someone will love is the reason why I do what I do.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

That people who make things do not just arbitrarily create their prices. Handmade items are not cheap and that is because they are one of a kind pieces of art. My critters are around $45 and I am grossly undercharging myself but when I try to raise my prices, no one buys them or I sell significantly less. Non creatives need to understand that the price is worth it. You are purchasing something that someone took their time to make. Rather than hanging out with friends or family, they took the time to make that item so someone could appreciate it. I have been told more times that I could tell you that my prices for a handmade baby blanket was too expensive and they could find a cheaper one elsewhere. That is extremely offensive. I am not WalMart, I am a business owner who is worth the price because of my experience.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

If the artist has their contact information somewhere on something that you bought, reach out and tell them how much you love the item you bought. The moments where I love making my critters more than anything is when I get a text from someone saying why they bought it and if it was a gift, how much the person loved it. Those moments mean the most to me. It also gives me the ability to have a relationship with my customer’s and they are able to see that I am a real person who puts time into these critters. Also, if you are able to afford it, buy small when you can. You are putting your money towards something that was created with a lot of love. You are buying something that can be an heirloom or something of much higher emotional value. Support small businesses all of the time and not just when it is trendy.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Elliscrochetcritters
• Facebook: Elli’s Crochet Critters