How did you get into tufting and how would you recommend someone starts (since it can take quite a bit of room and materials)?

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     "Before tufting, I was working a typical office job. I really missed being creative and making things with my hands, so when I started seeing rug tufting videos online, I thought I'd give it a try! Tufting does require a lot of space and materials, so I'd recommend starting with supplies that you can easily find in a local craft or hardware store before buying specific rug making supplies (i.e. yarn, rug glue, scissors). A tabletop tufting frame will be more than enough to get started. I started with a tabletop tufting frame and still use it today! I'd also recommend taking a tufting class if there's one in your area. It's so great to have all the materials set up for you, so you can just focus on the funnest part (in my opinion), tufting!"

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What is one thing you wish you had known before you started selling your work?

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     "How supportive the art community can be! I'm always appreciative of all the nice comments and interactions people leave on my posts, and the amazing rug requests people send in! "

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What is your favorite piece you have made and why?

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     "It's so hard to choose a favorite! But the one that I will never stop thinking about is my Furby rug. I love playing with patterns so the checkerboard belly gives so much visual interest, and the vibrant colors in the rug are so fun that I can't help but smile."

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What is the biggest challenge you have faced with this career?

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     "The biggest challenge for me is balancing creating art, running a business, and doing social media. Each requires me to be focused for a certain period of time, so I can sometimes forget one aspect of the job while doing the others."

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Is there any advice you would give to other artists?

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     "My advice is to be passionate about what you're making and take breaks when you need it. It's really hard to make a profit off of just selling rugs, and handmade items in general, because you can only make a certain amount of items before it's physically taxing on your body. Also, burnout is very real and if you don't love what you're making, the burnout is going to come at you faster and harder. So take a pause when you need to so that you can create for life, not just today. and take on projects because you love it yourself, not just because someone else loves it. "

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Is there anything else you would like to add?

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     "Thank you for asking me to be a part of this project! And thank you to the online arts and crafts community for being so kind and welcoming. It's been so fun connecting with new people and sharing our mutual interests and hobbies! It really does make the world feel smaller! "