how i started my small business (crochet & chat with me!) 

As someone who is currently struggling with the final push to open my shop, thank you. I have been planning on selling my art for years now and I have slowly been getting things ready to do so. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, thank you.

I’ve just found the love of crocheting, with the plus of it being a stress reliever. As a person with anxiety, I really appreciate that. 😂 I’ve been toying around with the idea of making a little shop, at least something I could do as a side hustle… I am mulling over it and seeing how I feel after some time. I like to sit in my feelings about big life decisions for a while to make sure I’m not being impulsive. Thank you for this video, you’ve given me a boost of encouragement and quite a few things to think about.

Gosh I love your look and personality. I would love to learn to sew one day, wish I had paid attention to my mum and grandpa - he was a tailor, she learnt from him. Maybe one day I will get round to learning but for now, crochet is all I can think about even when I am working in my full time job. Thanks for sharing your story, it is very inspiring.

I love when someone share their story on how they start their business. And knowing that you start so small and only have your website on the 3rd year of your business really give perspective on what to expect ❤ thank for sharing. P.S. Your curly hair is wonderful ❤

This video was sooo helpful! I've been in the process of planning a small business for a couple of months now. I started crocheting during covid and have dabbled in embroidery and knitting, but I've also recently started sewing. I love the idea of developing my own sewing patterns and selling the things I make! I've spent weeks trying to come up with a brand and trying to make it all perfect before I start anything public, but you are so right - I just need to get out there and share what I'm doing and learn along the way! Also, I'm absolutely IN LOVE with your work! You've really inspired me to make as much as I can and always keep learning. Oh, and I also love using second hand fabrics too! You are such an amazing artist and I cannot wait to see what you make next! (I've subscribed to your RU-vid and follow your Instagram so I don't miss a thing!)

Your story is so encouraging! And your comments about perfectionism are spot on - it stops us from starting! We learn by doing. So pumped that your business is bringing so much joy to your life 💪💕

Wow thank you for this video Carly.

Crocheting while listening to a crochet artist >>

This was a great listen! Thanks! 😁 Was crocheting along making a little cotton crossbody bag ❤

I am crocheting a simple dress for my ball jointed doll. I bought her (at least part of the reason) to practice my sewing and crochet on a miniature scale so I wouldn't waste too much material if I stuffed it up and I could figure out what I liked. Plus try and learn pattern making and use up my material scraps!

Thank you for sharing your journey with us! I'm learning to knit socks and love how zen the process makes me feel.

Hi Carly really enjoying watching your videos on a lazy Sunday morning here in the UK. As a fellow creative and small handmade business owner your videos are inspiring.

0:16 thank you for sharing your story with us all because i was so confused about the business i was choosing i am really thankful to you❤

Thanks. I appreciate that you shared your insights:) vey helpful 😊

Thanks so much! Just moved to brisbane and looking at how i can still continue my crochet business

Dear Carly, you give good an joyful advice. I am a sewing teacher. I started with students on beginner level. And now that i am advanced myself, i can teach advanced level. There is always someone who is at a more beginning stage than you, whom you can teach your craft/skill!

Very encouraging! I think I will get going with my crochet kitchen and bath with a few little extras. I have so many ideas!

Inspiring video and congratulations for 3 years in small biz. I am slowly starting and your video has helped me. Thank you.

Found you on my home page and I love your vibe and how sweet you are ♡ lots of love

thanks for sharing your story Carly! I had a similar journey where I started custom orders on FB marketplace and working with people via DMs suuuuucckkked! So I went straight to my own website and made 3 orders in almost 2 years :/ I just started my Etsy to hopefully draw people to my website, but I may have to shut down my site and deal with Etsy's stupid fees just cuz the odds of being seen are higher there and I'm paying like $200 a year for a website that makes no money$$$...it's hard and sad and disheartening, but people like you make me want to keep trying. So THANK YOU!!!

This is so encouraging, thank you! 🥹🥰

I love you crocheting while making this video.

This video has really inspired me, thanks for the great message! x

Really great, practical tips!! Thanks for the crochet along 😊

Thank you, its been very helpful, thank you.

Thank you so much for sharing all this Carly! You made this video just when I needed it! 🦋 The pandemic really stirred up some anxiety and health issues for me so I’ve needed to take a new direction in life as well, and I am so heartened and inspired by your story. I hope to someday have a sewing business of my own! 🌸 I’m currently working on knitting a hat for a friend and just finished hemming a dress for a librarian who saw me checking out books about sewing and asked if I could alter her dress. ☺️ You’re such a natural on RU-vid! I love your open, chill, passionate, and colorful vibes! 💖 I always look forward to watching your videos on Sunday mornings. 🌼

Thanks a lot for the tips

You’re an amazing artist! I’ve watched so many sewing videos on RU-vid for over a year. I wished I came across your videos sooner! I’ve learned so much from you in a day. Thanks Carly!

Im loving your approach to it all. Ive just found you today, now catching up on your vlogs while i sew today. .love the blouse youre wearing ❤❤❤

This is my first time on this channel and may I say you look like Nancy Drew from Stranger Things!!!

Hello Carly! It is such a pleasure to find your channel!!! I have crochet'd all of my life (i made my first 20 ft chain when I was 6 years old, i still have it somewhere, the kittens are always carrying it around the house.) anyway it has been my dream to make and sell my own creations, oh gosh, as long as i can remember. Even more now that I am stuck at home with my kids and after 2020 and the boom in side hustles. I really appreciate your video. Currently somewhere in this house is my first cardigan that i'm making with my yarn scraps, it is red green yellow and gray and i'm calling it my ugly christmas sweater because it's so random and patchy with the different lengths of scrap yarn, it's gonna be great. Anyway, it is nice to meet you and you have inspired me to just do it! Thank you and happy hooking!

You are such an inspiration Carly 😍🥰🤩

Thank u so much for your honest :)

All through the video I was looking at your ruffled collar and trying to figure out how to make one. And then BAM, saw you’ve already posted a tutorial for it. You’re the best. Thank you :)

Yes I just started a very small business in which I make handmade crochet hats and baby booties the hats are sizes are from preemies to adults and style are animals Characters and regular hats

Thank you Carly ❤

You’re literally the cutest

I absolutely loved this little chat and it couldn't have come at a better time as I had just sat down to finish my latest crochet project (a sage green ascot/neck tie)! I've always loved sewing and am finding ways to incorporate it more into my everyday life. I'm currently creating my renaissance faire outfit and next want to try a fun, gathered dress, inspired by your work!

Hi Carly! I went back to crocheting last year, it is something that helps me with my anxiety :) I would love to see a crochet tutorial from you!

That is very nice!

You’re the best Carly B!!

Loved that video! I'm currently working on a new pair of socks - its pink! I hope the skein of wool will last for a pair because I got it second hand and it wasn't a full one.. wish me luck!

This was such a little cozy video sprinkled with advice and such - always happy to get a notification that you've posted. I completely agree with just starting, regardless of your skill level, because I myself am a semi-RU-vid taught sewist and completely happy with it, and it helps to let people know they can start something and figure it out along the way

I go to two Christmas party and show my hats. Plus at the DDS office in Brockton and I made $75

I would love to learn more about your creativity and to not reach what people like and what is the balance between them and to sell!

I was looking for a video to watch during crocheting and this came up and I was like oh wait I know that person from TikTok!! This was so fun and relaxing to watch and I'm on my way to binge your videos

You are the best

Oh Carly, I'm so sorry to hear that Covid put the brakes on your musical theatre career; I'm really glad that you were able to start your small business though, and that you have that as a creative outlet. Do you think you'd ever want to pursue musical theatre in the future? I used to be a dancer and I love to sing, so I empathise so much with not being able to do that. You are so incredibly talented, so it doesn't surprise me that you wanted to be a performer. I'm so pleased that you left Etsy and that you're now able to keep more of your profits! It was really cool to hear you talk about your business journey so far.

Currently working on a crochet hat for my partner for Christmas! :)

Very inspiring video and I love your blouse. Do you draft your own patterns? And if so I would love to buy them. I love your style. I just finished making a duvet cover for my son. And now I'm planning a carly b patchwork collar. I can't wait to get started!

I’m making a quilt 😊

🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

I can't get over how truly pretty and sweet you are

Interesting

what is the name of the stitche you are doing pllls

Do you have a pattern for your crocheted jumper?

Ur so beautiful 😚

Making clothes out of vintage and upcycled textiles is great, it's what I do as well. I have an issue with making kind of these "spectacle" looking things that your instagram is full of. Are people really going to be wearing these loud baggy clothes more than once, or are they part of the problem and will end up donated or in landfill later? I understand that for a business to grow and items to go viral they need to be loud and statement-y, but this also comes at a cost of making ridiculous clowny looking clothes that lose their novelty after their first lol moment. I have been crocheting, sewing, and embroidering since I was little and take great care to make sure what I make is timeless enough to be worn by many people, has good fit, and is made with all natural breathable fibers. Seeing so many people come into fashion design because "they were bored during covid" is like ok, but some of us have been mindfully creating things all our lives. Maybe take the time to consider if you're just making theatre spectacle kind of clothes for one time wear or something a person can have in their closet and reach for again and again. Because if it's not worn again and again it's just another version of fast fashion.

idk why but this made me tear up so much hahahah for a few years i had been wanting to do make videos consistently and share my crafts and last year i finallly started and even though i havent been able to focus all my time and energy on it and occasionally have to put it on pause, im really glad i started. seeing your passion and how far it has gotten you, allowing you to dedicate your life to doing what you love, is so inspirational for me. I hope one day I can do the same and make a living, or even maybe just partially, doing the crafts i love. I found you on instagram i think and i love your patch work so much! Ive never tried sewing a pattern yet (i only ever really use my sewing machhine to hem clothes and for applique) but seeing people like you sew amazing things really makes me want to start!

Yes I just started a very small business in which I make handmade crochet hats and baby booties the hats are sizes are from preemies to adults and style are animals Characters and regular hats