Meet Nicole Ball and Melissa Oswald

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicole Ball and Melissa Oswald.

Hi Nicole and Melissa, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
When I first started crocheting amigurumi, I immediately fell in love. It was so fun to create something with life and personality. When I was making the animals, I would give them names and make up little stories in my head about what they would do in their lives. I made stuffed animals for everyone I know, including Melissa. She said something like this is so complicated and I replied, no it’s really easy… and that’s how Melissa got into amigurumi. Needless to say, we became addicted, and our spare rooms quickly turned into a “stuffed animal” room.

My husband said something like, you need to get rid of these. The next day, I told Melissa that we were opening an Etsy shop. After Melissa and I opened our Etsy shop, we were bombarded with special requests to make things (especially around the holidays). We quickly figured out that our time was limited, and it wasn’t possible to make all the stuff people wanted. Around the same time, we started playing with creating our patterns. We quickly figured out that creating patterns and publishing them for others to make was a much more sustainable practice and a more efficient use of our time. Now, we mostly design and sell our patterns, but occasionally make special requests for friends and family members.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I think the biggest challenge we have faced is trying to start a small business without really knowing how to do it. We decided to open the Etsy store. Then, after we made several sales, we realized that maybe we should learn how to do the financial aspects of the business.

It’s been a learn-as-you-go thing. Melissa and I have quickly found out what we are good at and tend to stick to that. Melissa is so organized and is great about handling all the important aspects of the business (like figuring out the technology, researching the tools we need to use, making sure I take inventory and filling out tax forms) and I’m good at pushing her to try new things.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
We design and create crocheted amigurumi patterns but have also knitted and crocheted pieces on commission (like shawls, sweaters, pillows, and blankets).

Recently, we have expanded our business into test and sample knitting, tech editing for patterns, teaching classes, and knitting and crochet help. We love to do all the yarn things and are always willing to learn something new!

Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs, or other resources you think our readers should check out?
Ravelry- look for patterns, to keep track of our projects, and publish our patterns Etsy- sell most of our patterns and commissioned pieces

Books- Patty Lyon’s Knitting Bag of Tricks is the best book I’ve ever purchased. It has so many great tips.

FreshStitches- When we were first starting with amigurumi, Stacey Trock had the best patterns, help, and tools. She inspired a lot of the work we still do today.

Pricing:

• $6 per pattern
• $54 for most commissioned pieces
• $0.20 per yard for test/sample knitting
• $20 per hour for tech editing
• $20 per hour for pattern help

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TexasStitchChicks
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/texasstitchchicks
• Facebook: facebook.com/texasstitchchicks