We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Summer Jaime. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Summer below.

Summer, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Are you happier as a creative? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job? Can you talk to us about how you think through these emotions?

On the weekends you’ll likely find me at a local market or craft fair with my crochet plushies and fiber arts. On Monday through Fridays however, you’ll find me behind a computer working as an accountant. I started working in the corporate accounting world immediately after graduating and within six months I found myself often daydreaming and missing my creative outlets. Through childhood and college I always had a creative outlet, whether it was through music or making physical art. As an adult out of college, I used my free time to crochet but I did not have a community of similar minded individuals to share my passions with. I found online that many other crocheters my fellow fiber artists and creatives through craft markets. The idea became more and more enticing as I sat behind my computer at work everyday, and in August 2023 I made the leap of faith to start my own small business. Since then, I have met many like-minded individuals who have encouraged me to continue growing my small business and have become my inspirations. Starting a small business is the best decision I have made and has definitely made me happier, even with a typical corporate job.

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

Hooker Creations is here to put a smile on everyone’s face. We do this through creating handmade crochet items, which are custom and unlike any other product out there. I personally, hand-crochet every single product from beginning to end, which means I pick the pattern design, the color scheme, size, and presentation of each item, in addition to physically crocheting each product. I have crocheted almost everything under the sun, and I get inspiration from all around me! Sometimes I’ll watch a movie and want to create a character in crochet form, or an animal at the zoo will motivate me to make a cuddly version out of yarn.
My favorite things to crochet lately have been pop character plushies. Some of my favorite times at markets are when people come up to my booth at a market and recognize a character; seeing their faces light up at the sight of Miles Morales or Bluey makes me smile. I put so much work into making these items and knowing that it can provide someone else just as much joy as it provides me is why I started my small business.
While my focus lately has been making recognizable character plushies, Hooker Creations makes just about anything! We take custom orders, as well as change our product lines seasonally. I have made queen-sized blankets, tapestries, flowers, purses, and even clothing! I let my mcreative juices flow and crochet items that I would find useful and joyful. I look everywhere for inspiration, including feedback I get from customers. It’s one of the things I love most about my craft and my small business – I have the freedom to explore any creative project I want to pursue!

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

I think younger people have been really great lately about supporting artists and the wider creative community. I think to continue supporting artists, we need to be more conscious of our purchasing power as a consumer. For example, it’s always going to be easier to run to a grocery store to pick up flowers and a box of chocolates for Valentine’s Day. However, shopping for gifts for a loved one at a local craft fair with small business owners and creatives will mean you will find a gift with a personal touch and more powerful meaning behind it. It takes so much time and energy to run a small business, and that effort is seen through the work of an artist. Even if you can’t purchase something from an artist or creative, taking a business card and sharing our work with friends and family is a great way to show support! Everything from a follow online or a purchase from a creative means that you appreciate and understand the energy that is spent towards our art as a creative.

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

I wish, I learned earlier in my creative journey that not everything is a competition. I think the best resources you will find are fellow creatives. Everyone has their own niche and strengths, meaning that you can learn directly from fellow experts who are in a similar position that you are. Personally, I like to get to know my fellow vendors and creatives at craft fairs. I learned this a few months into vending at craft fairs. I had not been accepting card payments as I thought you needed some fancy equipment and had to pay extravagant fees for that service. I noticed the vendor next to me – a jewelry creative – was using her phone for all transactions. I asked her about it and learned that sure enough I can use my phone for card transactions. That transformed my business entirely! All from asking a single question to a fellow creative.
Doing research online is great, but it can be time consuming and confusing when there is so much information available. People, especially fellow creatives, can be the best resource out there, if you’re only willing to be humble and have a questioning and open mind.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://hookercreations.com
• Instagram: @HookerCreations_
• Youtube: @HookerCreations
• Other: [email protected]