We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Audry LaCrone. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Audry below.
Audry, appreciate you joining us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?
In the fiber world, people tend to stay focused on their own business. I wanted a way to connect with other indie-yarn dyers and work on a collaborative project. A couple years ago, I reached out to four other Colorado-based indie-yarn dyers to see if they wanted to collaborate on an advent calendar. Think your traditional 24 day advent, but with yarn! Putting myself out there and taking on a project like this when we live across the state was a risk. I wasn’t sure anyone would want to work with other dyers or that we’d be able to accomplish this huge task from afar. Lucky for me, everyone I asked was not only in, but really excited about it! They had been craving connection as well and this was a great way for us to build relationships. We worked through the project over the course of 8 months and were rather successful. Our customers were so excited to see us team up and provide a local product. We met our goal in terms of sales, but the best part was the friendships we developed. We still talk often and grew rather close. I’m glad every day that I reached out and took a risk.
Audry, 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?
My name is Audry and I learned to knit when I was 16 and have considered it a major hobby ever since. When I moved to Colorado, I was lucky enough to have a local yarn shop close by. The owner encouraged me to try dyeing my own yarn. Her shop was the very first place I ever sold yarn! The yarn I dye is called “indie” or “hand-dyed” because it is a very hands on and manual process. I apply color to different fibers that are usually inspired by nature. I live in a gorgeous state and the inspiration never stops! Many knitters and crocheters like the idea of “small batch” yarn. Its a product they turn into beautiful garments, gifts, and heirloom pieces.
I am most proud of being able to run this small business while working a full-time job and going to school to get my Masters!
What I want people to know is that the fiber community is a wonderful space to be in. It’s great for creatives, even if you don’t dye yarn. For me, dyeing yarn is my outlet. It’s a way for me to express myself through color and technique. I enjoy it so much and love sharing it with others.
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
First and foremost, support doesn’t mean you have to spend money. Support is an encouraging word (or even a smile!). It’s a compliment. It’s sharing someone’s small business with friends on social media. Or forwarding a newsletter to a friend you might think would enjoy it. It’s liking a post on Instagram. It’s so many things that don’t take but a moment and a kind thought. Of course, if you do find something you love and you purchase it, that’s huge! I don’t know a small business owner that doesn’t do a little dance when a new order comes in. Beyond a purchase, a review is huge. That doesn’t have to be an Etsy review necessarily, but a short email, a picture posted on social media, or showing a friend or family member. Anything that spreads the word!
Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?
Financial resources would have been a huge help early on! They are possibly out there in the world, but I didn’t find them myself. How to set up a small business. How to choose which type of business to set up. Free/inexpensive ways to manage your business’ funds. How to write a business plan. All the stuff that’s not “creative” that really are the bones of the operation.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.theconifercollective.com
- Instagram: @theconifercollective
Image Credits
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