We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Crafty Amy, Amy Angelica a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Crafty Amy, Amy Angelica, appreciate you joining us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?
I always loved arts and crafts in elementary school. At that age I would cut up my old clothes and turn them into something new. When I turned 13 I was gifted a sewing machine for my birthday because I showed interest in learning how to sew because of a youtube channel I found. I was so inspired by the channel Threadbanger. They showed how to sew cool projects and their videos made it seem so fun and cool. So all throughout high school I was sewing unique bags and clothes and Iearned by watching their videos and by trial and error. Also at that time, I wanted to make Youtube videos showing how to make the things I was making but I didn’t have a video editing software so I just uploaded quick one shot crafts. During high school I knew I wanted to make this my career in some sort so I planned to major in Apparel Design and Merchandising. When I started college in 2011 I got a laptop and thought it was perfect timing to finally fulfill my interest in making Youtube videos. So I started uploading video tutorials in 2012.
Crafty Amy, Amy Angelica, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
During all my college years I was uploading Youtube tutorials and my page was growing. I would upload tutorials I noticed were not on youtube yet or felt like I can add my own info and style to a type of video. I was able to surpass 100,000 subscribers and receive a Youtube silver plaque. During those years one of my videos was featured on the Threadbanger channel (the channel that inspired me to sew and make videos). Later on, I was able to meet Rob and Corinne, the creators of Threadbanger. They were so sweet and a pleasure to meet. When they came to San Francisco (where I am from), there were able to connect me to the Youtube User Experience team at the Youtube headquarters. I had the opportunity to speak at a panel there and they invited me with open arms to film at their studio.
I continue to share the projects I have sewn, crocheted, and knitted in creative content shared on Instagram Reels, YouTube and TikTok. I love being able to work with brands I believe in and are passionate about.
Throughout high school I loved making bags, transforming old clothing to something new. I also picked up knitting and crochet but during that time but I would just knit pidge scarves and crochet small accessories. Although I enjoyed it I wasn’t a huge passion of mine. In 2015-2017, when I went to San Francisco State University for Apparel Design and Merchandising, I was able learn pattern making and that opened up a whole door for my creativity. I was able to learn how to properly make clothing from sketch to patterns, to sample, to final product. I loved the intricacy and the challenge when creating a pattern. At this time I was making dresses, tops, bottoms and all kind of sewing projects. In January 2022, I picked up crochet and fell In love with it! I just had to watch a video on the basic stitches to brush off the cob webs. It’s like riding a bike, you can’t forget it. This time I was making all types of clothing like sweaters, hats, cute tops, and much more! By the following year in 2023, I picked up knitting and conquered the intimidation I felt when I first started to knit in high school. So I was able to start with a vest, then a bonnet, to a sweater, then socks! The fiber arts has become a huge passion of mine since now I can make something on the go like when traveling and make the best use with downtime. Sewing my own designs have been and always will be something I do, but lately I been enjoying making outfits from vintage sewing patterns. I love being able to make a clothing piece that was designed in the 50s/60s/70s and wearing it in a fun way, the designs from that time is so timeless! I love being able to make the designs come to life and appreciate the style.
From 2011-2015 I went to college for general education and from 2015-2017 I went to San Francisco State University for Apparel Design and Merchandising. Later on, I worked for a company for 4 years as an Apparel Designer for OLOI Inc, a men’s and women’s lifestyle apparel brand. I worked with a team of 4 other designers. We worked on design iteration, sample making, fabric and trim selection, and marketing on social media and events.
My passion for teaching allowed me to now work as a Sewing/Fashion Design Teacher at a studio and at high schools. I teach ages 5 to adult how to sew and safely operate a sewing machine, crochet, embroidery, knitting and for teens to adult I also teach pattern making. I love being able to share a fun, useful and creative skill to others. Everyone deserves to have a patient teacher. Everyday I learn how to improve my teaching style and continuously fall in love with teaching. Being able to see little children and adults learn and grow and express so much joy, gives me joy. It excites me and am willing to teach anyone who shows me interest in learning a craft, I’ll be the first to say “I’ll teach you!”
I’m proud of myself for continuing to do what I love and to see what else God has planned for me. I would have never thought when I started sewing at 13 years old that I would be where I am at now.
Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?
When I started learning how to sew I learned by watching videos and by challenging myself by trying new projects and learning from it. I loved that was able to problem solve with no assistance and do my own thing. Not everyone has the motivation and determination to learn on their own so I wish there there would be more resources to introduce the craft to young students. There should be more after school programs that offer a space to be creative and learn how to sew. At the high school I work at, the students get to meet other students that share the same passion and I feel like that should be a more common space. I would have loved that in high school!
How did you build your audience on social media?
When I had an interest to share tutorials on YouTube in 2012, there were only about a handful of other youtubers other than threadbanger that were focused on sewing in a fun youthful way. Another thing, I was timid and didn’t prefer to be the center of attention in big social settings. So making my first video was completely out of my comfort zone but I wasn’t focused on that since I was so excited to share how to make a cute pouch out of a candy/chip bag. I felt so embarrassed of myself for talking to the camera by myself in my room. As I continued uploading tutorials I was getting comments and about a handful of videos later I kept getting comfortable talking to the camera because I knew I was talking to people by the views and comments I was getting. At that time Youtube wasn’t saturated with sewing tutorials so I felt like I had so much to offer. When I started I never thought my channel would grow big, I just wanted to share videos because I enjoyed filming and editing the projects I was making. Social media is continuously changing so as a creator I have to adjust to the times. I don’t have all the answers on how to build a social media presence, all I can say for others and I say to myself as well, is to make content because you enjoy it! Do you have something new to offer? or have your own perspective to share to a type of video/project? Share something that’s creative and unique to you and be yourself. Don’t try to be like anyone else.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/craftyamy
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/craftyamy93
- Other: [email protected]
