The Velvet Alchemist

To say that I’m the sole body, mind, and heart behind The Velvet Alchemist would be a massive lie. Sure, I’m the human who has ideas for the things, shops for the raw materials to make the things, crafts the things, takes photos of the things, markets and sells the things, schlepps the things from market to market (wondering how the eff I pack all the things in my mid sized sedan), ships the things… it’s not just ME. 

First off, there’s my husband. He works his well-formed ass off so that I can indulge in my craft. He encourages me. He floats me new ideas. He teases me about the size of my stash and how it’s taken over the house. He makes little 3D printed trinkets for my booth. He accompanies me to fabric stores and craft shops and pushes my cart. He helps set up and tear down when I do local shows. 

There are my friends, who share my posts, who like and comment, who model and wear my creations. Who always come to me when they have crafty questions or alteration needs, helping me grow my skills. Who are always down to go explore a new shop for supplies. Who send me reels and links and ideas for new products. Whose growing talents and skills push me to become better as well. 

There’s my family who gush and rave over my talents. My niblings who gleefully wear handmade costumes every Halloween. My mom who insists on giving me my asking price on what she wants instead of expecting a “family discount”. My siblings who appreciate my hand made gifts. My mother-in-law who adored her “hippie blanket” (afghan). My niblings-in-law who still ask for blankets and things when they see me. The rest of my in-laws who suggested me and gave my socials to people who needed custom PPE for their businesses during 2020/2021.

And even my dad, who let me use his spare bedroom to store my costumes and totes of fabric when I was living in an apartment and struggled to fit all of my Infinite Cosmic Crafting Supplies into an itty-bitty living space.

My old coworkers at JoAnn who would always alert me to the new fabrics and such they knew were right up my alley. Who loved to see what I was working on.

My regulars, whom I miss terribly. The ones that came in every Halloween to see that year’s costumes. The ones who wanted pictures of what I made. The ones who were invested in my work and brought printed pages of links and designs. The ones who brought pictures of their finished projects after I’d helped them through a rough spot. 

Last and best and most… my maternal grandparents. 

My grandpa, who taught me to knit, to bake, to do latch-hook. Who bought me art supplies. Who indulgently gave me pocket money so I could hit up the little craft store a mile away for more yarn, more plastic canvas, more needles. Who would drive me to GL Perry for costume supplies.

My grandma, who would show off my projects to anyone who came to the house, including the door-to-door vacuum sales guy. Who gave my name to all her friends who needed sewing jobs. Who used to hem and repair all my clothes and watched with pride as I did the same for her. Who was rendered speechless when I made her a portrait of her and grandpa in cross-stitch. Who always asked what I was working on whenever I visited her. Who always insisted on paying me fairly for everything I did, even if I tried to argue her down.

Grandmas are like that. You aren’t leaving without a full belly and some pocket money. 

When you visit my shop, come by my booth, have my posts pop up in your feed… you may only see my face, but know that behind me are hundreds of others who made it all possible. The village who supported me so I could get where I am today, and continue to support me as The Velvet Alchemist grows.

Who taught you your skills? Who got you started on your creative safari? Who encouraged you then and cheers you on today?