A couple of weeks ago, I noticed that I had sold several
copies of my Blue Birds Of Happiness doily pattern in one morning. I checked back
a little later, and saw that several more copies had been purchased. I was happy to make the sales,
but I wondered what was going on. The pattern has been out for a couple of
years, and its sales have been kind of flat for a while now.
The sales continued to pick up for the next several days, and I also noticed that I had gained several hundred new ‘Likes’ on my Facebook page. I figured that an online crochet group must have picked the pattern for a crochet-along, but I was wrong.
The sales continued to pick up for the next several days, and I also noticed that I had gained several hundred new ‘Likes’ on my Facebook page. I figured that an online crochet group must have picked the pattern for a crochet-along, but I was wrong.
It turns out that I have Sheryl Hendricks to thank for it
all. A few days earlier, she had posted a picture of a beautiful doily that she
had made from my Blue Birds of Happiness pattern on the ‘Crochet Crowd’
Facebook page, and had kindly directed those who asked about the pattern to my
website. Many people found my site for the first time through Sheryl, and I am
truly grateful to her!
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| Sheryl's Blue Bird of Happiness Doily |
I have always believed that word of mouth is the best
advertisement, and this is a perfect example.
One of the people who admired the pictures of the Blue Bird
doily that Sheryl had made challenged her to make a doily with cardinals, and
she quickly worked one up; it is truly amazing!
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| Sheryl's Cardinal Doily |
I asked Sheryl to
tell me a bit about herself and her crochet work, and here is what she had to
say:
“I learned to crochet when I was about 12 years old. My Mom taught me. I really enjoy
being creative with my work.
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| What beautiful detail! |
I'm 53, and a retired Registered Nurse. I have 5 children
and 3 grandchildren. I had to retire when I ended up with COPD, a lung
condition that requires me to use oxygen. About 2 years ago I started making doll
clothes and just went crazy. In fact my Crochet page
on FB is "Crazy about Crochet."
I also have a shop on Etsy called "Mimi's Dolly Things".
Most of the doll clothes were designed by me and all of them
are ‘one of a kind.’ I rarely follow a
pattern through and through.
In the past 2 years I have made so many gifts and doll
clothes that I can't even remember all of them. I do keep a pretty good picture
record, though, so I can look back.
I get kind of frustrated some times when I know somebody
really wants to make something that I designed but I have no pattern to share.
I tried writing a pattern once...actually did write it...but it took away all
the fun for me and by the time I was done I was a frustrated mess."
I think Sheryl's eye for color and talent for designing is
evident in the beautiful items she crochets. Thank you again, Sheryl, for all
of your help!
All photos in this post belong to Sheryl Hendricks, and are used with permission.
It is so nice to share, and this is what blogging should be about. How wonderful for your sales ! You both do beautiful work. I have ordered several times from your lovely collection of patterns. I am grateful for your knowledge and creativity and that you share that with all of us. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely blog Ann. Thank you so much for the compliments. You truly inspire me. :)
ReplyDeleteI love seeing this kind of warm, cheerful and kind connection between people. It warms my heart even more to see that at the centre of this connection is crochet, which we all love so dearly.
ReplyDeleteI hope to see more inspiration from the both of you!
Yes, I saw the bluebirds on the crochet crowd site.
ReplyDeleteYour work is exquisite Ann. I've started mine now although I'm finding the crochet hook a little fine. However I shall persevere.... Despite some blurred vision! X
This is a stunning centre piece!
ReplyDelete