We were lucky to catch up with Marie Coffey recently and have shared our conversation below.

Marie, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

It’s hard to say what my most meaningful project is. When most people think of crochet, they think about the ecru-colored doilies on every surface of Grandma’s house. I’ve found crochet can be the solution of many issues. For example, I have a line of bath and kitchen goods. They solve issues both of accessibility and reusability. I couldn’t find washrags with scrubby mesh, I was tired of replacing mesh bath poofs, and I hated the wastefulness of using cotton squares on my face. I created crocheted solutions to each of these problems and more. My most recent “meaningful” project helped my mom. She has back issues, but needs to carry gallon water bottles around. I made her a cross-body bottle sling. That helped, but despite the thicker strap, it was cutting into her shoulder. So I thought about it and made a soft pad for the top of the sling and she doesn’t have any more issues.
That’s why crochet is meaningful to me. Some of what I make is just pretty (I love doilies and tablecloths), some is purely functional, and some items manage to combine the two. What I make will endure and enrich people’s lives. Specific projects, like for my mom, are also meaningful because I love to help people out and problem solve. Crochet allows me to do both.

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?

Growing up, two of my favorite items were a crocheted afghan and pillow made by my grandmother and aunt. When I was in college, I got my aunt to teach me how to crochet. I loved it immediately. Not only could I make afghans of my own, but there was a whole world of amazing things I could create. Since then, I make whatever crosses my path. I’ll run across an interesting pattern and make it (like my Christmas stockings). Sometimes I see a need to fill (absorbent coasters for Texas). Other times I get a specific request (like ice cream pint holders or spring ball cat toys). I’ll make pretty much anything that catches my eye or someone asks about.

Crocheting is frequently a problem-solving craft. There are the obvious questions such as choosing a yarn and how much I need. Then I have the more difficult assignments: finding the right pattern, working around pattern errors, customizing the pattern, deciding what sizes/colors/styles people might want, etc. For example, I’ve had a lot of people ask about crocheted tops–just planning it was a project: what styles, sizes, colors, materials do I use? Does it matter if the halter top is hand-wash only? It’s either that or acrylic yarn. Unless I have a specific order for something, it’s a challenge. For example, just when they started getting popular a few years ago, I had a request for a rectangular shawl with pockets. She had the picture of what she liked, I found similar patterns, then we discussed sizing, yarn type, and color. Since she wasn’t a prima donna, it was a quick and easy process and her shawl was made. Guessing out of the blue is a much bigger challenge.

Two questions I was asked are “what type of works do you create” and “what sets you apart from others.” For me, the answer to both go hand-in-hand. I’ve noticed that many crochet venders make 3 kinds of purses in various colors or only make items using thin thread. I’m different than most of the crocheters I see at markets because I have a wide variety of products using both yarn and thread. I also take requests and special orders, which seems to surprise many customers. It’s not a problem for me since I make so many types of items to begin with.

I’m so proud of my versatility and creativity. I can create beautiful, useful items that last for years. I know people have been saying it most of my life, but I feel like we live in a disposable world. My gloves, trivets, ornaments, wreaths, bags, and bears will last for many years. Even items like cat toys, which may not last that long, will provide so much enjoyment for the time they’re around.

I stumbled into it, but one of my items I’m proud of is the crocheted flowers. I chose to make them because they’re beautiful. When my aunt was hospitalized a few years ago, I realized they also solved a problem I didn’t know existed. How do you send someone flowers when hospitals are banning them for allergies? Crocheted flowers in a pretty vase with rocks or something aren’t a problem–and unlike real flowers, they’ll last more than a week.

When my aunt quit crocheting, she passed her books and remaining yarn onto me. Those books have been a wonderful heritage as some of my most unique projects have come from them. I looked online and couldn’t find any Christmas stockings similar to the square pattern from one of her books. I also created an amazing New Mexico-ish afghan by changing the colors of an afghan from one of her books to create something looking like the Zia sun symbol set on turquoise. Using her scraps not only got me addicted to the fun of using scraps, but I also realized how much customers enjoy the colorful items, too.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

This isn’t really about my journey, but it’s definitely the one thing non-creatives struggle with the most when considering my crochet art. Customers are always a mixed-bag. There are always a few who have the sniff of disgust or blank stare when I quote my prices. Those are always amusing considering how many people tell me my work is underpriced. I think people, even the ones willing to pay for something handmade, suffer the most sticker shock on afghans.

I kept careful track of time and materials when I was making an “easy” strip afghan a few years ago and made an infographic I can show people when they ask or seem interested. I had 3 colors, 2 were in 7 oz skeins, one in a pound. I needed 5 small skeins ($25) and 2 pounds ($20). Before I even started work, it cost $45–come to think of it, I didn’t even include the cost of buying a pattern since I used one I already owned. That is easily anywhere from $5-$20 (if I buy a book). Each strip took 6 hours and I had 10, so that was 60 hours of my life–not counting taking out errors if there were any. I think I sold that afghan for $75–after months of people rejecting it based on the cost.

So for creators, just remember not every customer doesn’t recognize the worth of your work. For customers, remember that prices have to combine materials, time, and skill. You need to trust the artist to be valuing that for you.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

I see two solutions to creating a more supportive environment for crafters. First, we need to de-emphasize the idea of competition. Customers aren’t a limited resource that you can only sell to once. For example, I’m not the only crocheter at the Lockhart Farmer’s Market. Chaparral Cultivation Emporium and I get along well. We both make earrings–now two of the same pattern. We both make scrubby cloths–out of different materials. We both make trivets–in completely different shapes and styles. Sure, there’s a little overlap, but there’s not a real competition. Just because someone buys one of her brillo-pad like scrubbers, that doesn’t mean they won’t buy one of mine, or something else in my booth. We get along well, but too often I see our society pushing the idea of competition, especially between women. When we share, we all benefit. I recently found out about a great yarn sale from Chaparral that saved me a ton of money–which I can pass on to my customers by waiting to raise prices as the price of materials goes up.

The other way to support crafters is to shift our social mind-set from “pick the fastest, cheapest thing” to “what will serve me best long-term?” For example, last year I took an order for a dozen Christmas stockings. She wanted them because every year they bought those cheap felt ones at the store. Those were easily lost and damaged, so she kept having to buy new ones. It cost a lot more to buy mine, but they’re beautiful, will last, and are easier to demand accountability for. Fastest and cheapest isn’t always better and I feel like society has lost sight of that. Another example is the afghans. I know people wonder why buy mine when they can pick up a fleece throw for $5. It’s been over 40 years and I’m still using the purple one my grandma made me. Will those throws still be around in 40 years? In 5?

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.facebook.com/mariescottagecrochet/
• Instagram: @mariescottagecrochet
• Facebook: @mariescottagecrochet

Image Credits
I took them all.