Today we’d like to introduce you to Crystal Watson.
Hi Crystal, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Hello, my name is Crystal Watson, also known as “Chrisy.” I am the proud owner and creative designer of Crafts & Bows by Chrisy (formerly known as Chrisy’s Bow-tique). My business started in 2015, immediately after receiving my master’s degree. I enjoy keeping myself occupied, and as one chapter concluded, I wanted to ensure that another was beginning. My passion for creating has everything to do with my profession as a full-time educator. If you ask someone that knows me well to describe me, I guarantee that one of the first things they will say is that I am a creative person. My journey began with crafting custom hair bows. However, the business expanded after relocating to Florida from the U.S. Virgin Islands. In addition to custom hair bows, Crafts & Bows by Chrisy now offer a large variety of personalized items such as t-shirts, baby onesies, drinkware, baby boxes, birthday gift sets, party favors, and so much more. I have shipped my uniquely created items to many locations throughout the United States and the Caribbean.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
A famous quote by Jeanette Jenkins stated, “You get out what you put in. If you want more, you give more.” As a result, the journey has been smooth as opposed to challenging. I have great customers who continuously support my business. After relocating to Florida, I expected some challenges as most of my customers were still from the Virgin Islands. Of course, this field of crafting can be oversaturated. However, I focused on the uniqueness of my items, superb quality, and customer service skills. Those 3 areas set me apart from others. For this reason, I am still able to keep a vast majority of my customers while being able to gain new ones.
Thanks for sharing that. So, you could tell us a bit more about your work.
When it comes to personalized creations, nothing is too complicated or impossible for Crafts & Bows by Chrisy. My customers constantly challenge me, allowing me to step outside of my comfort zone. I specialize in hair bows for any and every occasion. Since my expansion, I am now also known for personalized items. Along with the personalization of items, I also create my designs independently. Personalized items include but are not limited to t-shirts, baby items, wine glasses, drinkware, tote bags, pencil boxes, baby gift boxes, birthday gift sets, cake toppers, holiday gift sets, party favors, etc.
What am I most proud of? I am most proud when I receive pictures of my beautiful customers wearing or displaying my hand-crafted items. I am also proud when my creations are used for special moments such as weddings, anniversaries, milestone celebrations, etc.
My exceptional customer service skill is unquestionably the main factor that sets me apart from others. I treat my customers exactly how I would love to be treated when I’m the consumer. I am honest and offer the best quality items because cutting corners is not a part of my creations. My brand represents me, and I am truly honored when customers could’ve patronized so many other businesses, but they chose Crafts and Bows by Chrisy. This speaks volumes on behalf of the business.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Currently, I don’t have any advice for finding a mentor. However, I have assisted many in beginning their journey in the crafting world. I am always willing to help others. Feel free to contact me using the included contact information. As for networking, that is important! Many individuals see others that are in the same business as competition. However, there is always enough money for everyone. I network with many others that have a similar business to mine. We share techniques and new items, give each other advice, and, most importantly, highly recommend each other if we cannot fulfill orders or if a customer is seeking an item that is not a part of our inventory.
After relocating, I learned the importance of advertising. Marketing has worked well for me. The Virgin Islands is small, so it is easy for others to hear about my business through oral communication. On the contrary, Florida is a lot larger, so my mode of advertising had to be altered so that I could reach more customers not only in Florida but also across the United States. Building relationships with customers also works well for me. Once customers trust my creative judgment, I exercise creative freedom on at least 90% of my orders.
Pricing:
- Custom Hair Bows-starts at $6
- Personalized T-shirts- starts at $20
- Gift Sets (any occassion)-starts at $20
- Personalized Drinkware- starts at $10
- Party Favors-starts at $20 per dozen
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @craftsandbowsbychrisy
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/craftsandbowsbychrisy
Image Credits
Owner Face Shot: Ying Butler (Ying’s Artistic Vision)
