We recently connected with Rebecca Krueger and have shared our conversation below.

Rebecca , appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

My most meaningful project was a sunflower granny square blanket that I crocheted for my older sister. It was my first ever granny square project! It was also a very big blanket and added to 100 squares. This blanket took me over a year to start and finish and there were a lot of times where I struggled to finish it. This project is so meaningful to me because it was my first order completed after my crochet business launched. My sister trusted that I could take an idea she saw and make it into a reality for her home. She was supportive and encouraged me through every trial. It was an incredible learning experience to make this blanket, and it opened the door for me to continue to make bigger projects!

Rebecca , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I am 26 years old, and the owner of The Gingee Crochets business! My craft is crochet, and I create mostly home decor/items and wearables.

I am a red-haired Midwestern, living in Wisconsin with 3 dogs, 2 cats, and my husband. I also work a full time job in property management! My hobbies other than my love for crochet are reading, cooking, and playing video games.

I started crocheting the summer before high school in 2011. My Grammie showed me all the basics and gave me her yarn and hooks. She had crocheted every grandchild in our family and afghan, and I knew I had to learn how to do it myself. Throughout the years I have crocheted different projects for family only, or just for fun. But when I started working on the huge sunflower granny square blanket, I wanted to share my craft with the world!

I opened my Instagram page in January this year, and in June I officially opened my Etsy shop. Within the first few weeks of tweaking my shop, I received my first order! This order was huge and included multiple blankets.

I named my business The Gingee Crochets for a few reasons. My hair has always been my main identity. Every nickname and username has used this identifier in some way. It’s a huge part of who I am, since red hair is a rarity, and I wanted to bring into my business name because this is a personal love for me.

My main crochet items include blankets, baskets, and headbands! My favorite project right now are the Cozy Days Daisy Blankets, which are on my shop! However, I’m already working on new projects and offering more items on my shop. If I like an item, I know I’ll try to make it at some point!

My biggest achievement right now has been opening my shop and keeping myself consistent with Instagram. I’ve been participating in a crochet reels challenge on Instagram and it keeps me track and accountable! Every day we are prompted to make a reel with daily ideas, or to make it our own. My daisy blankets have received so much love from my followers, and it’s so fun to share a project with them from start to finish. I’m also just proud to say that I’ve grown a lot this year, even while working and having a full time life already.

The main things I wish people know about my brand is that it’s made with love, and it’s so fun! I wouldn’t be committed to my crochet life if I didn’t love it, and my excitement continues to grow as I grow. I love sharing my world, and I hope others enjoy it too!

How did you build your audience on social media?

I am by no means an influencer or major social media presence! That being said, I have seen a tremendous amount of growth on my Instagram page, which is my main platform. Over the past month, I have been participating in a reels challenge, which has vastly helped with my consistency and stepping out of my comfort zone. The challenge encourages you to post a reel every day, and provides prompts! You are not required to follow the daily prompts, but they are so helpful in creating fun and engaging posts. The challenge is hosted by another crochet artist on Instagram, and this artist is so encouraging and supportive! She participates in the challenge herself, and reminds us why we are doing it! I have made so many crochet friends through this challenge. I’m continuing to grow my Instagram daily by making it fun, and showing my followers what I do and why I love it.

My best advice is to be yourself, have fun, and be consistent! You may not have time to post everyday, and that is totally okay. Its great to be true to your craft, and share what you love. Its also important to support your artist friends! Even if you have never met in person, you can create lasting relationships on your platform with other artists!

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

My goal right now is to continue to increase my audience and my sales! I have a few craft markets I am participating in this year, and have at least one market booked in 2024. My Etsy shop has been open for a month, and I’ve completed 6 sales, which has been a huge encouragement! I hope that by joining craft markets and adding to my Etsy shop, my sales and confidence will increase!

I currently work a full time job in property management, and while I love this career field, I can see myself turning my business into a full time job.

In the near future, I may be moving into my own website, as well as on Etsy, but I am taking the growth one day at a time! I’m learning so much, and I want to take my time in establishing this business, so that I can be prepared for the future and what is to come!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/thegingeecrochets/?etsrc=sdt
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegingeecrochets/