Today we’d like to introduce you to Summer Jaime
Hi Summer, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Crocheting became a hobby of mine during the pandemic. I wanted to make crochet ‘Among Us’ characters for some friends for Christmas 2020. I had never crocheted before, but I did learn how to knit in 6th grade, so I thought learning to crochet couldn’t be too hard. Man was I wrong! I started watching YouTube videos and TikToks to learn how to crochet, and while the first few things came out a little wonky looking, I was eventually able to have handmade, crochet Christmas gifts for 8 people. Everyone loved
them, and I really enjoyed learning to crochet and improving each time I made something. So I continued to crochet, learning different stitches and styles, just as a fun hobby to enjoy as everyone was stuck at home.
Crocheting quickly became an online trend, so I had a lot of inspiration and motivation around me. My first big project was making the $1,400 Harry Styles cardigan that went viral. It took me about two weeks to make, but it is one of my most prized possessions. That cardigan was a daunting project at the time, but it really helped progress my crochet journey. It allowed me to perfect basic stitches, practice sewing crochet pieces, and make clothing for the first time. Although there was a pattern to follow, I still had to customize measurements to fit me, which was another first. This project ended up looking amazing and impressed several family members. After posting it online, I got requests from other people to make the sweater as well. That was the first time I thought ‘Maybe this could be a business’.
At the time I was still in school, so I continued to crochet just for fun. Then after graduation, I participated in the Disney College Program for about a year. I continued to crochet, this time with more confidence and adventurism; venturing out into multiple projects like clothing, plushies, home decor, flowers, and just about anything. After my DCP finished up in 2022, I moved back home to Texas for a full-time job. It was my first time living on my own and not being in school, and I found I had a lot of free time. For me, that meant crocheting all the time. Soon my apartment was filled with crocheted plushies, hats, and flowers. Friends and family suggested I participate in local markets and crafts fairs, so I finally took a leap of faith and in August 2023 I did my first market. After a year of working in Texas, I moved back to Orlando to be with my partner (which I met on my DCP) and I found an amazing Florida crafter and market community that I am so proud to be a part of.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Opening up a small business is no easy feat. Luckily I have a business background and am an accountant so all the logistics come to me easily. That said, I had a few challenges along the way. The first hill to cross was the anxiety and nerves of presenting myself and my work to the public. What would people say or think of the things I make? Does anyone even care or like crochet? There are tons of better crocheters out there, who am I to try to open a business? Those thoughts were at the forefront of my mind when considering if I should start a small business or not. I had a few years of practice under my belt, but sometimes a project still doesn’t come out 100% the way you were expecting it to. Luckily, I have a great support team of friends and family who are honest with me and are willing to give critical feedback anytime I ask for it. They also always encouraged me to grow and were able to help change my mindset into a positive one.
Another challenge I’ve faced, especially in recent times, is balancing my personal life, my full-time career, and my small business. It’s easy enough to go to work 8-5 every day, then come home and prepare dinner, maybe relax a bit. But with a small business, time is everything. You are working almost all the time; before you go into the office there is work to be done, and then after you get home there’s even more to do. Most of your free time is spent keeping your business alive, which means saying no to a lot of fun things – whether it’s dinner with some friends, going to a movie, or spending a day at the park. Particularly, a handmade craft like crocheting takes time. There are only so many hours in the day, and it can’t all be spent with a hook and yarn in my hands, crocheting until my arm falls off. It’s a hard act to balance.
There are also so many little things it takes to run a business that you don’t think about until you are up and running, at least I didn’t consider them. Things like being active on Social Media, marketing yourself, creating a brand, improving setups, and product presentation. These are all key factors in maintaining and growing a small business. I’ve learned that a small business is much more than the product itself; it’s no longer just about crocheting to my heart’s content. There are several other factors at play, which I need to consider in order to keep my small business running. It can be overwhelming at times, and it’s hard to figure out the balance. But my love for crocheting and having a small business is a passion project, and every little annoyance or hard time is worth it in the end.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Hooker Creations is here to put a smile on everyone’s face. We do this through creating handmade crochet items, which are custom and unlike any other product out there. I personally, hand-crochet every single product, which includes picking the pattern design, the color scheme, size, and presentation of each item.
I have crocheted almost everything under the sun, and I get inspiration from all around me! Sometimes I’ll watch a movie and want to create a character in crochet form. Or an animal at the zoo will motivate me to make a cuddly version out of yarn. My favorite products lately have been plushies, because people love to look at them. Some of my favorite times at markets are when people come up to my booth and recognize a character; seeing their faces light up at the sight of Miles Morales or Bluey makes me smile. I put so much work into making these items, and knowing that it can provide someone else just as much joy as it provides me is why I started my small business.
While my focus lately has been making plushies, Hooker Creations makes just about anything! We take custom orders, as well as change our product lines seasonally. In the springtime, I love to make flowers and other plants (because I don’t have a green thumb, but still want flowers in the house). And in the summertime, I love making beach bags and hats, because that’s what my personal wardrobe switches to. I look everywhere for inspiration, including feedback I get from customers. It’s one of the things I love most about both my craft and my small business; I have the freedom to explore any creative project I want to pursue!
What matters most to you? Why?
Quality matters most to me. I say this both as a business owner and a consumer. I think it is important that products last and perform as they are marketed to do so. For Hooker Creations, specifically, I want every plushie to provide as many smiles as possible. To do that, I have to make a product that will last. That can present itself differently, depending on what I make. For example, a dog toy will be designed to withstand the playful nature that most pets have. This is also true for a baby toy, which will have baby-safe and cuddly materials to last through several play sessions. Home decor, however, may be designed with more delicate materials, in an almost lace-like design, because hopefully the product will go up on a wall or shelf and last for several years.
Because every product is of high quality, I take time to select each material and am transparent in what I use. I shop around, not for what is the most convenient or cost-effective, but for what fits the needs of the design and product. This means sourcing yarn that is comfortable enough for a child to play with, or durable for a dog to bite so that everyone can be happy. I also make sure to include this information on my website in all product descriptions. At markets, I encourage customers to pick things up and play with my plushies before buying them, to ensure that all parties are satisfied.
Finally, because my products are 100% handmade and crocheted all by me, the final products that I present are all my responsibility. There is no manufacturer I can blame for a misprint or wrong color; I make each decision and every stitch. That is why having only high-quality goods is so important to me; my products are a reflection of myself and my values.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://hookercreations.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hookercreations_/profilecard/?igsh=eDVqaG53NXdyb2tq
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@hookercreations?si=iRgM4O5ifTDbRbWP
