Featured shop: AmiKami HandKnits

I am very honored to introduce AmiKami etsy shop which features beautiful vintage-inspired handknit & crochet fashion. Victoria's unique designs are inspired by vintage/antique patterns from the mid 1800's to early 1900's. Please take a moment to visit this FANTASTIC shop and learn more!

Thank you so very much, Victoria, for taking the time to answer a few questions about your etsy business: AmiKami - AmiKami.etsy.com

Q. How did you hear about Etsy?

A. I don't remember when I first heard about it, but I've been aware of its existence for many years and understood that it was established for artists and handcrafters to have a place to sell their work. I just thought it would be too expensive or was something I wouldn't be able to be a part of.

Q. What made you decide to sell on Etsy?

A. I've always dreamed about starting my own business selling handknits, however setting up a brick-and-mortar shop was not realistic. The start-up cost alone was reason enough to keep me from doing it, but also the difficulty in establishing this type of business to a point where I could make a living seemed impossible.

Two years ago, we moved to a small town in the mountains and, unable to find work, I settled in to being a stay-at-home mom. After about a year, and knitting way too many scarves and hats for my boys, I started to think again about my dream. I began by researching alternatives to opening my own store such as consignment shops and local gift shops. Those options didn't suit me well either, but through this process I started seeing Etsy's name more and more often. So, I decided to check it out and, wow, am I glad I did! I found that it was not only NOT expensive, it was so affordable and easy to open a shop that I'd be foolish not to give it a try.

Q. How did you originally get into knitting business?

A. I've been knitting for most of my life and, although I love all types of hand-crafts, knitting has always been a special part of my life. I have knit for my family and friends and, through that, have had periodic requests for custom work. Knitting is something I never seem to tire of and who wouldn't want to make a living doing something they love. Thanks to Etsy, and the wonderful support and encouragement of my family and friends, I was finally able to see that starting a knitting business could be possible.

Q. What motivates and inspires you to create?

A. I am an artist at heart and get enormous satisfaction creating things with my hands. It is also a way for me to express my feelings in a tangible, lasting way. I do all kinds of hand-crafts - so much so that my boys are quicker to say "how can I make that?" than they are "can I buy that?". It's also very theraputic - when I'm having a bad day or feeling down, there is nothing that lifts my spirits more than working on a project. I find inspiration everywhere and all around me. Sometimes I go looking for it, more often than not, though, inspiration finds me and I have a hard time keeping up!

Q. What are your interests outside Etsy?

A. Being a mommy to my three little men and doing things with them, whether it be cooking, crafting or hiking in the mountains.

Outside of that, I've always been drawn to all things old - I joke sometimes that I think I was born 100 years too late! I am very interested in history, particularly late 1800's through the early 1900's and enjoy reading books written at that time. I collect antique knitting books (which is where I get the patterns for my work on Etsy) and love watching old movies - especially silent films. And of course, knitting. Believe it or not, even now I can still find new things to learn and projects that challenge me.

Thank you very much, Victoria, for this wonderful interview!