We recently connected with Niki Watson and have shared our conversation below.

Niki, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What’s the kindest thing anyone has ever done for you?

I truly believe that kindness is the best gift you could give. I feel very fortunate to have had so much kindness given to me during my creative business journey. Out of so many wonderful acts of kindness bestowed upon me, one in particular has stood out among the years and has resinated throughout my growing business. It was an opportunity, a chance, a challenge.

I’ve been creating art through embroidery, sewing, knitting, and crocheting, since 2010. It start as a hobby to pass the time, then became an expressive way to calm my nerves and mind. I would share my makes and would receive requests for custom items. Being a mother of 4 it was definitely as very part time, on and off, gig. In 2015 I made a plan to market myself and created a business model. The name came shortly after, Nik-Naks & Knots. I opened an Etsy, and did nothing. I did however continue creating blankets and selling them here and there.

Fast forward to the good part. In 2019 I got a wild hair to create custom crochet hooks with polymer clay. I created my first listen on Etsy, and the first day I made a sale! It was quite an invigorating feeling. I was hooked (literally and figuratively). Shortly there after I received a message from a customer, who is now a very good friend of mine. She requested for me to design a full set of crochet hooks. This blew my mind. I had never fathomed the idea of creating a set before. This opportunity was the act of kindness that not only changed my thought process but my whole business model. I was given the chance to make larger commissions and set my shop apart from any other. A challenge was set to make a whole set of coordinating crochet hooks. It was a success. She was over the moon about them, and has since purchased a new set just this past year!

Because of this one act of kindness, asking me to do something new, I have a new main focus for my business. Over the last 3 years of making crochet hooks I have make more than 30 different sets, from 3 hooks to 12 hooks! It is one of my favorite, yet more challenging, things to create. My customer turned friend has continued to support my business and continues to show me kindness. I am grateful for people like her.

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?

For folks who may not know about me and what it is I do, i’m Niki. I am the sole owner and creative director of Nik-Naks & Knots. The name stems from a nik name I was given in my youth, Nik-Nak and what I create, knots.

I have have always loved different hobbies; Needle point and latch hook as a kid, macrame friendship bracelets as a teenager, and as a young adult I dove deep into the world of fiber art with crochet, knitting, and hand embroidery. Nik-Naks & Knots started as a way for me to advertise my handmade items. I planned to grow into a pattern designer and sell handmade clothes and accessories. Soon after opening up shop I realized there is a large sea of handmade artists out there, and I needed to find my niche. Funnily enough my niche became to market to the artists themselves instead of the mass public. Crochet hooks, ergonomic crochet hooks to be exact.

Thin metal hooks, especially 4mm and smaller, hurt my hands to no end. It was impossible to work for long periods of time with my developing carpal tunnel. As it turns out this was a common issue for crocheters. I did some research and found that polymer clay could be molded onto the handles of crochet hooks to give a thicker, more comfortable, grip. In September 2019 I made my first lot of crochet hooks and they actually sold! I’m still pretty beside myself to the fact that people really love what I make. It makes me so happy to help them.

My brand of hooks are targeted to comfort and style. I try to make sure they’re pleasing to the eyes, but most importantly pleasing to your hand. The great thing about polymer clay is that it can be molded into any shape. If there are specifications you need to make sure your grip tension is lessoned I am at your service! From full sets of crochet hooks to custom color requests, I am open to creating something new, exciting, and comfortable. I want my hooks to be your go to when you hunker down with your yarn. A tool that can be used day in and day out. Tried and true.

I also make buttons, stitch markers, place holders, and most recently little jars with customized lids, and latch hooks! My goal is to be a one stop shop for all your crafting supply needs. I love playing with colors and textures and aim to create things never before, or at least not commonly seen.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding part of being an artist is finding my people. Instagram has such a huge creative community and it’s growing more and more everyday. That’s one thing we can take out of COVID as a positive. It urged people to do things they’ve always wanted to do, but never had time for. Try new things. Find a creative way to make an income when the world was shut down.

That’s how my hook business started. I created hook and sold them as a way to support my family when I lost my main source of income. I see so many people who started during the pandemic. It’s sad, but also super inspirational. The creative community is so open and so accepting. I rarely see judgements or cliche fights between creators. There’s always a few squabbles, but these makers are so understanding of one another that it’s hard to not stand in their shoes and know what they’re going through. We are all going through this creative journey together. We feed off one another and go through fads together. I love seeing new trends appear and others jump on board. Some of my best friends are people I’ve never seen in person, but have connected with through our love on creating.

Even if I do ever move on from my handmade business and switch to ‘just for fun’ mode, I will stay in this community because these people bring me so much joy.

: Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

When I first started my creative journey it was just because I enjoyed it. Now that I have a business I do strive to make people happy. I do now have the pressure to preform not only for myself, but for others. I would say there is the stress of ‘what will people like?’. It is a good stress. I like the saying “It is right outside comfort that you find growth”. It is when we push ourselves outside what makes us content that we blossom into our full potential.

My mission and goal is to grow my business, be known, and make money. BUT it’s also to inspire others to do the same. Inspire others to have that part time income and turn their hobbies into a way to increase their success in life. ‘Job’ doesn’t have to mean ‘work for someone’. My job is working for myself. Yes, I have customers and I do love to serve them in any way I can, but my job is to serve me first. Self care is most important.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/niknaksandknots
• Instagram: instagram.com/niknaksandknots
• Facebook: facebook.com/niknaksandknots
• Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/NikNaksandKnots