Rising Stars: Meet Kimberley Urcadez

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kimberley Urcadez.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
When I was younger I loved to watch my mom knit beautiful sweaters. I had always wanted to make them too, but was never very good at knitting. She ended up showing me crochet and I fell in love with it, but ended up stopping since many kids teased me for it. A few years ago when COVID got really bad, I was working at TMC and attending the University of Arizona. It was extremely stressful for me and I saw that crochet was becoming a big deal again. I decided to get back into it to help with my stress and some other things I was going through. It ended up being such a big hit that my husband took on everything to allow me to stay home and get my business off the ground.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road to where I am today was more like a roller coaster. I had my doubts along the way and I’ve made tons of mistakes (still do), but all the good and bad led me to here and I wouldn’t change a thing. There’s a lot that goes into running a business, especially one that’s handmade goods, and it is definitely a learning game. There’s been times I’ve shown up to festivals and forgot product, sometimes my business cards, or things for my tent. I still do that and I’ve learned to make a checklist of everything just to be on the safe side.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
What I like to do is a style of crochet called Amigurumi. It’s working in a constant circle which helps to make crochet stuffed animals (plushies)! Amigurumi is my main style and what I am most known for, but I am always open to learning different forms of crochet. Along with plushies I like to make clothing, bags, and fun little accessories. I think one thing that sets me apart from others is I really try to focus on the value of the product and less of the income. I want people to have a piece that they’ll love and will last them a long time, that won’t cost you an arm and a leg. Seeing people get as excited over my work as I do is one of the best feelings in the world. I never thought I’d have a business in something like crochet, but I am so glad I do and things continue to surprise me.

Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
One thing people might not know about me is that I am attending Pima Medical Institute to become a veterinary technician. I have a huge love for animals and it took me a long time to decide what I wanted. I went to the University of Arizona for some time, but ended up failing and dropping out because I had no interest. It was really hard dropping out because I felt it was wrong to. Turns out it just wasn’t for me. I took a break from school for about 2 years and that is when my business started. Now I run both my business and attend classes for something I truly love!

Contact Info:

• Website: sofluffincute.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sofluffincutestudio/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100070418036949
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@sofluffincute
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@sofluffincute