We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Allison Santos Costa. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Allison below.

Alright, Allison thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

From when I was five, drawing countless pictures of horses, to my high school years when I started to explore different mediums, I always dreamed of being a professional artist. However I thought an art degree was required, which made me feel disqualified to pursue it. This is something I’ve struggled with for a long time, but despite these thoughts, and with lots of encouragement from my friends and family, I pushed through the doubt and started to gain confidence in myself. I started investing in my skills and my social media channels which then created more doors and opportunities. It was definitely hard pushing through the days I didn’t know if my business was ever going to flourish, but in retrospect I’m thankful I kept going, and now I am able to proudly share my art with the world.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Hello! I’m Allison Santos Costa and I’m thrilled to share my journey with you. I’m a Crochet Fiber Artist and small business owner dedicated to bringing joy to my clients through high quality and unique products.

My passion for crochet began when I found out I was going to be an aunt. I wanted to give my nephew more than a gift, I wanted to give him and my family a unique memory to cherish. After being taught how to make my first amigurumi, which is a Japanese technique of making small intricate and adorable toys, I was hooked, no pun intended. I believe entering the business world was God-inspired, since it was never in my plans, and my crochet skills God-given, giving me a sense of personal fulfillment!

At Brush N Hook, we offer handmade high quality products that are sure to create unique and lasting keepsakes for you and those you love. We believe the best memories are tied to one of a kind experiences, which start long before our creations reach their destination. Whether it’s a personalized doll, home decor accents, or even a 14 lb crochet dog, our goal is to spread joy through every piece we make.

The beautiful thing about crochet is that it cannot be replicated by machine, so no two creations are ever the same, since the slightest change in tension can alter a whole pattern. During the creation process, which can take from a couple days to several weeks, each stitch must be done with precision and consistency in order to make the pattern come to life.

One thing I discovered about myself during this process is the level of perfection I demand from my own hands. Sometimes I even find myself restarting projects that are almost completed, because I found a small mistake or the project looks uneven.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

In a world driven by fast consumerism, it’s important that we recognize and appreciate the intrinsic value of artistry and craftsmanship. Each piece created by an artist is not just a product; it’s a labor of love, skill, and creativity.

Unfortunately, there’s often a lack of understanding about the depth of effort and expertise involved in handmade art. Some may overlook the meticulous attention to detail, the countless revisions, and the emotional investment that artists pour into their work. Instead, they may compare it to mass-produced items lacking in soul and character.

To support artists and nurture a thriving creative ecosystem, we need to cultivate a culture of appreciation and respect for their craft. This involves educating the public about the value of handmade goods, raising awareness about the time and skill required to produce them, and encouraging conscious consumption that prioritizes quality over quantity.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

In my journey as a Fiber artist, I’ve faced numerous setbacks and failures that tested my resilience. Struggling with patterns and creating pieces that fell short of my expectations was discouraging, but I learned to see failure as a crucial part of the creative process. Instead of dwelling on mistakes, I embraced them as opportunities for growth, though it took me a long time to learn that.

I eventually learned that each failure was a stepping stone to becoming better in my craft. And even though failing sucks in the moment, most of the time I look back and am thankful for them, because I learned more than if I had just kept succeeding.

Contact Info:

• Website: brushnhook.com
• Instagram: @brushnhook