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

Hi Kayo, thanks for joining us today. If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your creative career sooner or later?

I think I started my creative career at the right time. It was when I was in my early 40s. I studied linguistics through college and graduate school and pursued an academic career as a linguist until a life-changing experience happened. I was diagnosed with breast cancer when I was 40, just after I started teaching full-time at a university. All the treatments went well, and I have been cancer-free. However, I had trouble adjusting to life after the treatments, both physically and mentally.
I left my job and career. It feels like brain fog caused by the treatments never left me. Although I function well, I never feel my brain is sharp enough to think complicated matters.
This unexpected end of my career affected my mental health.

I always love handwork. I picked crochet as a hobby in my late 30s.
During the darkest period of my life, I crocheted a lot to fill the void. Then, I started to crochet mushrooms, which I have been fascinated. I gave them away at first. Then my friends made orders. One day, I visited an art gallery and showed the photos of my mushrooms to the owner. That ended up doing a trunk show at the gallery. And this is how I started my career as an artist.

When I was very young, I wanted to be an artist. I thoroughly enjoyed studying and researching in my previous career. To be honest, I never thought of becoming an artist. I don’t wish I had started this sooner.
If I started later, I probably would not have much life left on my hands since pursuing fiber art is hard on your hands.

Kayo, 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?

I was born and raised in Japan and have lived in Anchorage, AK, since 2008. My mother is a lifelong knitter. I grew up playing with yarn.
Before I moved to the US, I was pursuing an academic career. I never imagined to become a fiber artist. I hardly did any handwork during that time.
I picked up crochet as a hobby when I moved to Anchorage.

How I got into my craft/business
My love of crochet and mushrooms became my small business, Room with Shrooms, in 2014, and I started selling crocheted mushrooms.

After the first trunk show at an art gallery, I started selling my crocheted figures at a local market.
Initially, I only had crocheted mushrooms and a couple of woodland-themed figures such as trees and logs and some animals for sale.
My repertoire has expanded by listening to the customers. Now, the focus of my work has shifted from mushrooms to other things you see in Alaska.
I sell my creations locally by myself and at some galleries.

What type of creative works/products you provide
I create nature-inspired fiber figures for toys, home decor, and wearables.

What you think sets you apart from others
I use mostly natural fibers and try to use quality materials. I also try to be sustainable.
I love learning and exploring fiber art techniques. I incorporate weaving, knitting, and felting to create the textures. I am a spinner and dyer. I sometimes use hand-spun yarns and natural-dyed yarns in my creations.

Most of my creations are Alaska-themed. For example, I make Alaskan wildflowers with wool felt. I make birds seen in the backyard of my house.

what are you most proud of
I sell most of my creations locally in an affordable price range.
I feel honored when a little girl saved up her chore money to buy my little crocheted animal. Whenever someone buys my mobile for nursery decorations, I am in awe, thinking that my little creations are the first things for the little ones to look at in their lives.
I do love selling my creations in person at local markets. Witnessing my creations become a part of someone’s life is a special feeling.
Although I usually sell my pieces at the craft booth, I had dreamed of creating an art installation since I started crocheting with original patterns. With help and support from my friends and family, I had my first solo exhibition, “Woolen Forest: Huggable Alaska,” at the International Gallery of Contemporary Art in April 2023.
The theme of the exhibition was an Alaskan forest. I wanted to create a forest scene that many Alaskans feel close to their hearts.
I wanted the viewers to realize that methods like crocheting or knitting, usually considered for making garments, can be used to create art pieces.

What are the main things you want fans to know about you/your work/your brant\d
I want to share the love of this beautiful land through my fiber art.
I try my best to create an atmosphere of being in a whimsical story at my event booth.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

I get connected with people through my creations. My heart becomes full when I think of the art pieces I made becoming a part of somebody’s life. Also, when I sell them in person, I have the privilege to witness beautiful interactions between family or friends caring for each other.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

I sell my creations primarily locally. I feel I am lucky to live in a place where people love to support local artists. We have local makers markets and other events where local artists sell their creations. Even when the weather is not great (we had a record-breaking heavy snowfall last November), people still show up to support local small businesses. It is so easy to shop for mass-produced items online. I don’t have a solution to build a thriving creative ecosystem. However, if society nurtures and supports artists in their community, we can start building one.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @roomwithshrooms
• Facebook: facebook.com/roomwithshrooms

Image Credits
Hans Hallinen, Amanda Faith Thompson, Glynn W Carter