Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Adrian Canfield. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, Adrian thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?
I was originally taught the basics of crochet by my grandmother when I was about eight years old. That summer while I was in Washington with my father, I also visited a sheep farm where they spun their own yarn. When I got home my mother had to listen to me talk about crocheting and spinning my own yarn for six months.
However, as an adult, I didn’t crochet. When my other half passed away, I developed a substance abuse problem, and after about four years I decided it was time I get clean. I turned to my family as a support system and to crochet as a means to stave off cravings. I re-taught myself the basics and expanded on that knowledge through YouTube videos. When I started noticing people wanting to purchase my creations, I launched an Etsy shop and haven’t looked back.
I already had an interest in off-loom bead weaving, so learning to crochet wasn’t too much of a stretch. I just wished it hadn’t taken such a traumatic experience for me to delve deeper into an art form that potential saved myself.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Well, I am 34 years old, and I have epilepsy. I have never learned to drive because of my seizures and other disabilities. I have two children, and my best friend is Kiwi, my Indian Ringneck parrot. He is my crochet buddy.
These days I spend six to eight hours a day crocheting. Sometimes it’s just something to add to my Etsy shop and sometimes it’s something that has been requested by a customer. I’ve also started designing my own crochet patterns, which I make available for free through my YouTube channel and for purchase through my Etsy shop and my Ravelry shop.
I think the main thing I want people to take away from my work is that crafting can help people in some surprising ways. It helped me find sobriety, and hopefully someday it will be my main financial source. Anything handmade has a story behind it, and someone put a huge amount of time and effort into making it, so I am a huge believer in supporting handmade artisans or all kinds.
How did you build your audience on social media?
I had just started my YouTube channel, when I entered a giveaway sponsored by another crochet channel, one much bigger than my own. I won the giveaway by chance, and when she realized I had a channel she asked all her viewers to check out my channel. My subscriber count shot from about 10 to 600 plus overnight, and my mother filmed me bursting into to tears when I found out the news. That video has actually become one of my most watched videos. So really it was by chance that I grew my audience as much as I have.
However, I feel the best advice I could give anyone is to collaborate with as many people who share the same interested as you do. In the end it helps both participants to build their audience.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
For me the most rewarding part of being a fiber artist is making beautiful things that people will value and treasure for years to come. My pieces are all unique. When I sell a cardigan or a sweater, I know that customer has something no one else will ever have and I know that makes that customer feel special.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/KiwisCrochetCorner
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kiwiscrochetcorner
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KiwisCrochetCorner/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFf2xk2hMzVAIsbVlPbgROA
- Other: Email – [email protected] Ravelry – https://www.ravelry.com/people/KiwiCrochetCorner TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@kiwiscrochetcorner