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

London, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Are you able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen?

Before I embarked on my journey to make a livelihood out of crocheting, I found myself working at the Apple Store, where I sold computers and iPhones. Initially, I enjoyed my full-time job there. However, after a couple of years, I felt a strong desire to pursue something more creative in life. I began making lists of activities I truly loved, and crocheting always held the top spot.

One fateful night, while working at the Apple Store, an artist entered the premises in search of a computer. She caught my attention with her attire, which was entirely made of yarn. It was an enlightening moment for me because until then, I had only associated yarn with scarf-making. Curiosity piqued, I hurriedly searched for the artist’s name online and stumbled upon the enchanting world of yarn bombing. Back then, yarn bombing entailed adorning public spaces with knit or crochet fabric, wrapping objects in colorful yarn.

Driven by inspiration, I rushed home to my house in Brooklyn and wrapped a tree with a scarf I had made. I anticipated it would be taken down or get dirty quickly, but to my surprise, it remained intact. Within a week, a grandmother stopped me on my block and shared how she and her granddaughter would stop by the tree every morning, finding joy in its presence. This encounter ignited a determination within me to do more, prompting me to set myself a 30-day challenge.
For the next 30 days, I dedicated myself to crocheting something new each day and placing it outdoors for people to enjoy. From before work to after work, even during lunch breaks, I embarked on a relentless yarn bombing spree. Ultimately, I completed the initial 30-day challenge and decided to continue thereafter. I always attached a tag with my Instagram handle, which led to people reaching out to me. Initially, it resulted in small gigs, but after about a year, renowned brands like Starbucks began paying me for my craft.

It took two years of balancing my full-time job at Apple and my growing crochet endeavors until I finally reached a turning point. I had just finished creating a monumental 50-foot by 25-foot crocheted billboard in Times Square, commissioned by Miller Lite beer. That experience served as a clarion call for me to venture out on my own and transform this passion into a legitimate business. In December of 2015, I bid farewell to my job at Apple and embraced the world of crocheting as my full-time occupation.

Since then, I have dedicated myself wholeheartedly to the art of crocheting, nurturing my own business. The journey has been rewarding, and I continue to flourish in my craft, pursuing my passion every single day.

London, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I grew up in a family filled with creativity, and from an early age, I envisioned a non-traditional path for myself. Ballet was my true passion, and as a child, I reveled in the joy of dance. However, in 9th grade, my journey took an unexpected turn when I suffered a back injury that rendered me unable to dance for an entire year. It was during this challenging period that I discovered the joy of crocheting. As a seated activity, it engaged my mind and kept my hands busy. Scarves became my canvas, and I delved into creating countless pieces, selling them both at local shops and to fellow students at my high school. The scarves gained immense popularity, to the extent that the earnings allowed me to purchase my first car at the tender age of 16.

Gradually, I found my way back to ballet, and my dedication led to a full scholarship at New York University for ballet studies. While crocheting took a backseat during my college years, it always held a special place in my heart. When I eventually reunited with the craft and turned it into my profession, I began collaborating with various brands and companies on advertising campaigns, monetizing my passion. Utilizing a large crochet hook, I embarked on creating larger-than-life works of art, emphasizing both speed and a distinctive artistic style. This distinctive approach has truly set me apart in the industry, allowing me to embark on remarkable projects. For instance, I had the opportunity to crochet a double-decker bus for the Hallmark Channel, which roamed the streets of New York City for an astounding two months, captivating onlookers at every turn. Additionally, I recently concluded a marketing campaign for Pop-Tarts, crafting handmade crocheted sweaters that complemented the launch of a new Pop-Tarts flavor. Moreover, I had the privilege of creating a one-of-a-kind immersive art installation for Disney, adding an extra touch of magic to their enchanting world. These are just a few examples among many other endeavors I’ve been fortunate to undertake.

Above all, I take immense pride in transforming my passion into a full-time career. I have always believed that pursuing what you love yields favorable outcomes, and I am grateful to serve as living proof of that notion. Working with clients, I have developed an effective system. I take pleasure in sketching out and clarifying my creative vision before even starting a single crochet stitch. This process ensures that everyone involved is on the same page, eliminating surprises regarding the final outcome. Given the scale of many projects, timelines are often incredibly tight. To address this, I have cultivated a remarkable crochet community that I can rely on for efficient execution. Collaborating with numerous talented crocheters has been profoundly rewarding, and without their trust and expertise, my business would not have thrived as it has.
No project is too grand for me; I eagerly embrace each opportunity that comes my way. It is this openness and thirst for growth that propels me forward, allowing me to learn and evolve daily.

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.

Embarking on a creative career can be a daunting decision, filled with uncertainties. Trusting yourself to become your own boss may feel intimidating and knowing when to take this monumental step can be unclear. However, I found peace and guidance in the book “The Artist’s Way” by Julia Cameron. In this insightful read, Cameron presents a comprehensive twelve-week process, accompanied by specific steps and exercises that ease the transition. I highly recommend immersing yourself in this book before taking the leap. It empowered me by providing clarity regarding my goals and passions, eliminating any doubt about whether I was making the right choice. I’ve personally worked through this transformative journey four times because, regardless of where you are in your creative journey, it remains invaluable.

Currently, I find myself immersed in the process once again, and I’m excited to share my experience on my podcast weekly, “Inspired and Tired.” Having a companion to work through the book with is incredibly beneficial, and my sister is the perfect partner for me. As a full-time stand-up comedian, she, too, is on an unconventional path. Together, we offer each other unwavering support and guidance whenever we encounter challenges along our respective journeys.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Resilience is an essential quality when running your own business. The journey is filled with inevitable ups and downs, but giving up is never an option. Growth often requires embracing uncomfortable situations. One such opportunity presented itself when I was approached to crochet a school bus for a commercial with Gap. Although I had never wrapped a vehicle in yarn before, I immediately said yes, without fully researching the project’s details.

To my surprise, as I delved deeper into the project, I realized that achieving the desired outcome within the given timeline would cost significantly more than anticipated and require additional steps that would exceed the allocated time frame. It was a devastating realization, and I vividly recall the moment when I found myself lying on the floor, overwhelmed and in tears. I questioned my own strength and wondered if I was capable of having difficult conversations with my client while remaining honest. I feared they would perceive me as unprofessional or inexperienced, leading them to lose faith in my abilities. Moreover, I worried that they might cancel the job altogether.

However, amidst my breakdown, I made a resolute decision—I would not give up. I picked up the phone and mustered the courage to have an open and honest conversation, sharing the challenges I was facing. It was undoubtedly a difficult talk, and my client expressed their dissatisfaction. Nevertheless, through perseverance and collaboration, we managed to find a solution that would enable us to complete the project successfully. It was a defining moment for me—a time when I elevated my game and proved that I was capable of handling larger, more demanding jobs.

This experience became a pivotal point of growth in my journey. It taught me invaluable lessons and fortified my resilience. It reinforced the notion that setbacks are merely opportunities for progress and that having the courage to confront challenges head-on is essential. Through this project, I expanded my capabilities, and it opened doors to more significant opportunities in the future.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.londonkaye.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madebylondon/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LondonKayeCrochet
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChaseandLondon