We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Britani Crosby. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Britani below.
Britani, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.
It all started back in college about 2013 or so, I was studying with my college professor for finals, while being a new mom and just trying to finish school. She’s talked about crochet and I asked if she could show me, as I was looking for something to calm my mind at the end of the day. She happily showed me the basic chain and simple single crochet, she sent me home with yarn, my very first hook and an easy how to guide. I was given homework! I returned the following week, with an ok chain with some single crochet, my tension was a little tight, but otherwise not too bad. Little did I know this new craft to just ease my mind would grow.
I started to watch you tube videos, then I started to read patterns. I bought more yarn, hooks and patterns! Practically became a collector of the sorts! I finally took the leap and came up with a business name Co-Z creations from MN as I didn’t want to just limit my shop to crochet, as I’ve done candles and melts, wood burning and sewing and a little painting. My main focus now is crochet! The variety, the different textured yarns and amazing patterns, even creating and writing my own patterns! You can create anything from crochet, and the fact there isn’t a machine on this world that can crochet, makes each item a 100% handmade, unique piece of art made from my own two hands with love! That’s special and AMAZING!
Knowing everything I know now, I don’t think I would have done anything differently. Maybe looked at starting a website earlier, but the little business has grown into something I didn’t think was possible, and we all start small somewhere.
Crochet or being a fiber artist each piece takes time, anywhere from 30 mins to a few days or months if you’re making something big like a blanket. Even some plushies take anywhere from 4 to 10 hours depending on detail and size. Knowing how to price things to keep them in a reasonable range for the shoppers but also make a profit can be challenging.
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?
I’m a full time working mom! With a full time job, kids and a family to look out for. This little business started as a way to become my own boss, have more time with my family, and hopefully someday pass on this amazing skill to my kids! I try to be unique so each piece is made nearly one of a kind! I make plenty of bees and pickles and mushrooms, but the larger items I try to make them special. I’ve never made two unicorns identical or dinosaurs.
I do plenty of custom orders, I tell everyone the skies the limit ,from hats, slippers, keychains, stuffed animals and random knick-knacks!
I specialize in look-a-like pets! People will send me photos of pets they have or pets they’ve recently lost, and I crochet them! I get as close to detail as I can. I’ve helped children and adults remember their beloved pet that is no longer by their side.
The look-a-like pets are something I’m most proud of! It helps me give something back to help them heal, or something to remember them by. It’s very touching getting messages with happy smiles, and teared up eyes. It shows I’ve created something out of the ordinary stuffed animal!
People are so patient also, when it comes to custom orders! Don’t get me wrong people talk about the prices and how high they might be when I’m doing a show, some enquire about an item to be made and I give them a rough quote on cost, only to never hear from them again.
I have large items that sit on my tables for a year, until someone’s purchases it! When people make an order or purchase an item big or small, I can see they really appreciate it and understand the time it took to make, and all leave with smiles on their faces!
What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?
Our society as it is right now, struggles! Everywhere you go Inflation has affected prices and for all small business like my own it hurts to keep up with Amazon and big names like Target, Temu and Walmart! As a small business we strive to keep prices fair and reasonable, but the economy makes that hard! So as a society wanting to be supportive for all small businesses and local artist, Shop at the farmers market, the craft show, and little boutique. Your support gives that family a meal on their table.
Support doesn’t always mean shop either, just liking their website, leaving a review on Facebook or Google. Passing their business card to someone who is looking for something!
That’s all we want, support from our local community so we too can give back to the same community!
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
For me the most reward i get from Crochet, is seeing everything I make go to a loving home! Seeing the smiles on everyone’s faces! Talking to someone about an idea they have and able to create it and bring it to life in a sense! I can do what I love, with my family by my side supporting me!
Being able to create something with my own to hands is a reward in itself! I feel we take a lot for granted, and are always demanding big things or moments, we as people forget to just breathe and enjoy the little things in life, and take every day as a blessing!
Contact Info:
- Website: cozcreations.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/coz.4ever?igshid=MzNlNGNkZWQ4Mg==
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CoZcreationsfromMN?mibextid=ZbWKwL