We were lucky to catch up with Ruthie Smith recently and have shared our conversation below.

Ruthie, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

Teal Dragonfly Creations began with a spark of passion and a pair of hands eager to create—what started as a way to find peace and express creativity through fiber arts like crochet, knitting, and macramé soon blossomed into something much greater. As I explored these crafts, I found not only healing but a deep desire to connect with others and build a welcoming community through handmade artistry. The name itself holds deep meaning: teal represents awareness, healing, and renewal—especially for those facing anxiety or recovering from trauma. The dragonfly, a longtime symbol of transformation, resilience, and hope, reflects the journey of growth, creativity, and lightness that I want to share with others.

At Teal Dragonfly Creations, I believe that handmade matters. In a fast-paced world, there’s something truly sacred about slowing down and creating with intention. Fiber arts offer more than just beautiful finished pieces—they provide moments of mindfulness, calm, and connection. Through teaching, designing, and curating quality yarns and tools, I strive to help people tap into that magic. Whether someone is picking up a crochet hook for the first time, knotting their way through a macramé wall hanging, or exploring new stitches after years of practice, this space is here to support and inspire. Every class, every project, and every skein is chosen with care to nurture both creativity and confidence.

Above all, Teal Dragonfly Creations is about community. It’s about the people who gather around the yarn—the friendships formed in workshops, the shared joy of making something with your hands, and the quiet strength found in a circle of makers. This is a space rooted in compassion, encouragement, and purpose. It’s a place where artistry meets healing and where everyone is invited to grow, connect, and create something meaningful. One stitch, one row, one thread at a time—we’re weaving a story of hope, beauty, and belonging together.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Hi, I’m Ruthie Smith, the heart and hands behind Teal Dragonfly Creations, a fiber arts-focused business rooted in creativity, healing, and community. My love for handmade crafts began in childhood, sitting beside my grandma as she taught me how to crochet, as well as a variety of other crafts. Those quiet moments with her planted the seed of a lifelong passion—one built on patience, care, and the joy of creating something with my own two hands. Years later, during a difficult season of life, I returned to those roots and found comfort, clarity, and renewed purpose in fiber arts. What started with a crochet hook quickly grew into a deep love for crocheting, knitting, macramé, and the wider world of making.

Today, Teal Dragonfly Creations is more than a yarn shop—it’s a space where people come together to slow down, explore their creativity, and build meaningful connections. I teach a wide range of in-person classes and workshops for all skill levels, from beginner crochet and knitting to macramé and beyond. I also design original patterns, curate beautiful yarns, and offer custom handmade items that bring artistry and function together. Whether someone is learning their very first stitch or diving into a new technique, my goal is to provide encouragement, hands-on support, and high-quality resources to help them grow.

What makes this space truly special is the heart behind it. The name Teal Dragonfly Creations is rich with symbolism—teal represents healing, awareness, and balance, while the dragonfly symbolizes transformation, resilience, and hope. I chose that name intentionally to reflect the deeper purpose behind the work I do. This business was born not only from creativity, but from a desire to offer others the same sense of calm, confidence, and community that fiber arts gave me. My shop and studio are designed to be welcoming and inclusive, where every person feels seen, supported, and free to express themselves through their craft.

I’m most proud of the community that’s grown around this work. I’ve watched friendships spark over shared stitches, seen students beam with pride after finishing their first projects, and heard deeply moving stories of how making helped someone navigate grief, anxiety, or simply find joy again. Those moments are why I do what I do. Fiber arts aren’t just crafts—they’re tools for healing, connection, and personal expression. And being part of that journey for others is a privilege I hold close to my heart.

For anyone discovering Teal Dragonfly Creations for the first time, I want you to know this space was created with intention and care. Whether you’re here to learn something new, reconnect with your creativity, find your people, or simply take a breath in the midst of a busy life—you are welcome here. This is more than a business; it’s a community stitched together by passion, purpose, and the belief that handmade matters. I can’t wait to create something beautiful with you.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Resilience has been a constant thread in the journey of Teal Dragonfly Creations. When I first opened the yarn store, it was tucked into a multi-room building alongside several other small businesses. I started in a modest-sized room, just big enough to hold a thoughtfully curated selection of yarns, a few displays, and space to welcome my first customers. As the community began to grow and demand for classes and inventory increased, I moved into a larger room within the same building. It was my first big step toward expansion—exciting and a little scary—but it was clear that the need for a creative, welcoming fiber arts space was real and growing.

Just as I was settling into that larger space, the building sold, and all the tenants needed to relocate. It was an unexpected challenge that could have been discouraging, but I saw it as an opportunity. I found a new location—this time sharing space with a bakery, which brought a fresh, inviting energy to the store. The aromas of freshly baked goods combined with the cozy charm of yarn created an atmosphere that drew in new customers and brought a unique sense of warmth and community to the space. I invested in more storage, expanded my inventory, and created more inviting spaces for classes and gatherings.

Then came another shift: the bakery owner retired, and a new food-based business moved in. Six months later, that business moved out too. With each transition, I faced new decisions and financial responsibilities—higher overhead, the need for more fixtures and furnishings, new marketing strategies, and of course, the constant work of making sure the heart of my business stayed strong. Every move meant reinvestment—of money, time, and energy—but I refused to let any of it slow the mission down. I chose to see each transition not as a setback, but as a way to grow deeper roots and refine the vision of what Teal Dragonfly Creations could become.

Through it all, I’ve learned that resilience doesn’t always mean bouncing back quickly—it often means moving forward steadily, even when the path changes. It means making hard decisions, trusting your gut, and holding onto your “why” when things get hard. Each relocation pushed me to stretch, adapt, and reimagine what was possible. I had to grow not just as a business owner, but as a teacher, a creative, and a community-builder. Those experiences shaped Teal Dragonfly Creations into the vibrant, welcoming space it is today.

What I’m most proud of is that despite every challenge, the heart of this business never wavered. The community kept showing up, the creativity kept flowing, and with every shift, I was able to offer even more to the people who walk through my doors. That’s the beauty of resilience—not just surviving the change, but using it to build something even stronger, even more meaningful. And for that, I’m deeply grateful.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

The road to funding Teal Dragonfly Creations was anything but traditional—it was built out of a very real turning point in my life. Right before opening my yarn store, I worked in healthcare, a demanding field that I poured my energy into. Then, unexpectedly, I sustained a work-related injury that ultimately made it impossible for me to continue in that line of work. The transition was emotionally and physically difficult, and navigating the workers’ compensation system was a long, uphill battle. But I knew I had to find a new path forward—one that would allow me to heal, grow, and do something meaningful with the time and skills I still had.

I was incredibly fortunate to have the unwavering support of my husband throughout this chapter. While I was out of work and navigating the challenges of recovery, he carried the weight of our household finances without hesitation. That foundation gave me the time and mental space I needed to consider what was next. When the workers’ compensation case was finally settled, I made a decision that would change my life: I took a portion of the settlement, added a small amount to a credit card, and used that to launch my storefront. It wasn’t a huge budget, but it was enough to secure a small space and take the leap I had been dreaming about.

Opening the shop was both thrilling and terrifying. I was committed to ensuring that this new venture would stand on its own without being a financial burden to our household. I kept things simple and thoughtful in the beginning—starting with a modest inventory, essential furnishings, and an intentional focus on creating a warm, welcoming environment. From the very first day, the support of the local community exceeded anything I could have hoped for. People showed up, not just to shop, but to connect, to learn, and to be part of something special. Their encouragement helped me sustain and grow the business without needing to dip into our personal finances.

What has amazed me most is how each new step the business has taken—whether it’s expanding into a larger space, offering more classes, or increasing inventory—has been funded by the business itself. I’ve reinvested every dollar back into the shop, allowing it to grow at a sustainable pace while staying rooted in its mission. There’s a great sense of pride in knowing that this space, which started from a place of personal challenge, has become something so purposeful and self-sustaining.

Looking back, the way Teal Dragonfly Creations came to life wasn’t just about financial strategy—it was about trusting myself, being resourceful, and leaning into the support of the people around me. It was about turning a hard season into a hopeful one, and building something beautiful out of adversity. That’s the heart of this business, and it’s what continues to drive me forward every day.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.tealdragonflycreations.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stories/teal.dragonfly.creations
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/teal.dragonfly.creations
• Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/DragonflyCreations83
  https://www.ravelry.com/stores/teal-dragonfly-creations-designs

Image Credits

Taggart’s Photography – Sara Taggart
SupahRob Photography – Rob and Natalie Morris
Swallowtail Photography – Jessica Burk