Inspiring Conversations with Patricia Blevins of Te Amo Craftz

Today we’d like to introduce you to Patricia Blevins.

Hi Patricia, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
Whenever asked about my story, I always chuckle a little bit. That is because becoming a Small Business Owner, and selling handmade items, was not a part of my life plan.

Back in 2019, I was a brand new teacher, excited to be in my classroom finally. I was teaching 1st grade, and I loved it. I found out I was pregnant with our little girl in early 2020. Because of the outbreak of COVID, I ended up teaching online for most of my pregnancy. With being at home 99% of the time, I started back up on knitting and crocheting. My Grandma taught me basic crocheting when I was little, and I learned how to knit from a family friend in college. When I was in my 3rd trimester, the school district wanted us to return to in-person. With all the uncertainty of how COVID affected pregnancies and newborns, I had to resign to return when everything with COVID got figured out, and my little one was old enough to go to preschool.

Fast Forward to mid-February 2022, I watched my one-year-old play in the living room while I knitted. Suddenly, she stands up and runs into the kitchen. I jump up, fumbling with my yarn and project to follow her because, well, knives. While doing so, I thought to myself, “Wow, I wish there was some sort of hands-free bag. Sort of like a fanny pack that I could put my yarn into. Then, I could follow her around the house without fumbling with my yarn ball!”. After putting her to bed that night, I searched the internet for some yarn fanny pack. I couldn’t find anything similar to what I was thinking of.

Over the next week, I talked to my family about my idea for a yarn fanny pack. My mom and grandma, who also knit and crochet, agreed that they would like one if I figured out how to make it. By the end of February, I had made the design, made my prototype, and decided to call it the Yarn and Go. After making the prototype and seeing how well it worked, I talked to my family about possibly creating my Small Businesses making and selling them. Luckily for me, I have an incredibly supportive family. By June, I had made over 30 Yarn and Gos and was ready to open up shop.

On June 13th, 2022, Te Amo Craftz opened up for business on Etsy. Over the past year, I have added reversible tote bags, knitted scrunchies, and crochet head bandanas. I now offer private lessons for knitting and crochet at Retail Therapy AZ in Downtown Glendale and the North Phoenix Outlets. I also now have my website: www.teamocraftz.com. I have my items in stores at two Retail Therapy AZ Locations, participate in multiple Markets/Farmer’s Markets, am a member of Local First AZ, and the Yarn and Go are patent pending.

It wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Trying to figure out how to run a small business, in general, was a challenge for me. I am always learning new things and updating my business as needed. One other challenge I have had is finding my people and how to market my items. When I started selling in person at markets, I would get many confused looks about what my fanny packs were for. Now, I make sure to add some yarn sticking out of the Yarn and Gos to help customers understand my product.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am proud of how far I have come with Te Amo Craftz. Alongside making handmade items, I am teaching private knitting and crocheting lessons. Being able to bring my love of teaching and my love of crafting together has been a dream come true.

What was your favorite childhood memory?
When looking back on my childhood, I have a lot of fond memories of crafting with my Grandma. I remember visiting her house before each holiday season to make gifts for my parents. The fact that I have always been encouraged to do what I love is part of the reason I started Te Amo Craftz in the first place.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.teamocraftz.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teamocraftz/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TeAmoCraftz?mibextid=ZbWKwL
• Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/teamocraftz