We recently connected with Lindsey Beaman and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Lindsey thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. The first dollar your business earns is always special and we’d love to hear how your brand made its first dollar of revenue.

In 2012, I sold my first crochet piece—a mushroom lighter holder—at the Bear Creek Music Festival in Suwanee, Florida. I was wandering through the campsites with a friend, not expecting much, but to my surprise, I sold all 10 of the lighter holders I had made that weekend. The excitement and connection I felt with the buyers sparked something inside me, and that moment truly marked the beginning of my journey. Even now, years later, I still make mushroom stash necklaces, and they remain one of my bestsellers.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I started crocheting when I was 14, mainly making blankets. It wasn’t until I was about 20 and began attending music festivals that I picked up the craft again. I started creating unique outfits and accessories for my friends and me, especially to keep us warm during those chilly festival nights. One day, in 2012, someone admired my work and asked if I had an Etsy shop. That suggestion sparked the idea to share my creations with a wider audience.

Back then, there were only a handful of people selling crochet items, and I focused on pieces designed specifically for the festival community. What sets my work apart is my vibrant use of color and my unique designs. I also create custom pieces tailored for people of all shapes and sizes, which allows my crochet clothing to be wearable psychedelic art.

I’m most proud of how my individuality shines through my work and how I’ve managed to carve out my own niche in this space. I want people to know that my designs are a reflection of the freedom and joy I find in both festivals and crochet, and I’m dedicated to creating pieces that resonate with those same vibes

How’d you think through whether to sell directly on your own site or through a platform like Amazon, Etsy, Cratejoy, etc.

I currently run my main website through Shopify, and honestly, I love working with them. Their pricing is very reasonable, starting at around $30 a month for a basic website, which was a great fit when I first got started. They also offer fantastic deals on shipping, which has been a huge plus for me. Uploading product photos and setting up all the necessary information is really straightforward, and their customer service is excellent. I also use Shopify’s POS app and credit card reader for in-person vending, so tracking sales across all platforms is a breeze. Overall, I highly recommend Shopify.

I do still keep my Etsy account active, though I’m not as happy with the platform these days. While I continue to get the occasional sale, Etsy’s customer service has gone downhill, and they have a lot of hidden fees. However, when people think of buying handmade goods online, Etsy still comes to mind, so I keep it as an option.

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

A few years ago, I experienced a harsh reality when some major fast fashion companies in the UK blatantly ripped off my designs. As a small independent artist, I quickly learned how difficult it is to stand up to companies like that, and I found out that unless your brand has a big name, like Gucci or Nike, it’s nearly impossible to copyright or trademark your designs in the fashion world. It was devastating to see my work being mass-manufactured in sweatshops and sold for a fraction of its value on these fast fashion websites.

That experience was a hard lesson in just how big the fashion industry is, and how small you can feel in it. But when you’re a small fish in a big pond, the only thing you can do is adapt and keep moving forward. Now, I focus on calling out companies that continue to exploit independent artists, because sometimes, raising awareness is all you can do

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.acreativewonderland.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Acreativewonderland
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/acreativewonderland
• Other: https://Tiktok.com/Acreativewonderland

Image Credits

Lizzie rose photography took the first 2 images