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Meet Trailblazer Kelly Garrison

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelly Garrison.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Unlike many “Makers”, I did not grow up being taught by family members the art of slow crafts. It wasn’t until college that I taught myself the basic skills of knitting, sewing, and crochet out of curiosity. Although my mother was a painter, my family’s hobbies revolved more around athletics; running marathons and competing in weekend triathlons was where we spent a lot of our time. As the youngest of 5, I learned very early about being brave, *slightly* competitive, and facing head on the challenges that scared me.

Through my 20’s and now 30’s, I continued to develop my passion for fiber arts and also nurtured a competitive streak for endurance athletics. I started my side business Gypsy Stitches while working as a personal trainer and Bar Method Instructor, amid competing in Ironman Triathlons, various marathons, and other athletic pursuits.

My clients are always surprised to hear I am an avid knitter, sewist, weaver and macrame artist. My role as a fitness teacher is to inspire women and men to push past their presumed limitations, to dare for the impossible, and to believe in their own power. For the longest time, ‘slow crafting’ was perceived as a dowdy hobby reserved for the elderly homemaker with too much time on her hands. But I believe the maker-movement is plowing full steam ahead throughout the world and is breathing new life into the relevance and necessity of the handmade artistic revolution.

Thankfully, we live in a time where we can truly be anything we want if we’re willing to work hard enough for it. I love the fire and grit I feel when pushing through physical boundaries… yet also adore the quiet calm and meditative peace of working with my hands to create something from scratch. I believe in embracing both the ‘strong’ and the ‘soft’ sides of ourselves… that we can (and should) be tough/brave/tenacious in our adventures out of our comfort zones, while also employing the gentle stillness of simple living and timeless arts.

Has it been a smooth road?
The most obvious and ongoing challenge as a handmade goods business owner has always been competing with mass production. I pride myself in making every single piece I sell with my own two hands. That means every. single. stitch…. one at a time. For reference, a basic knit hat may take anywhere from 200-300 yards of yarn (depending on the weight). A football field is 100 yards. Each stitch is hardly an inch of yarn… so less than a blade of grass. Knit your way across two or three football fields, one blade of grass at a time, and voila… you have a hat! The same goes for a woven piece, or a macrame wall hanging, or a sewn garment. They all require an immense amount of time and resources.

My business is currently a ‘one-woman’ show… I wear ALL the hats. I am the designer, the maker, the marketer, the photographer, the social media handler, the website designer, the accountant, the shipping manager… and most glamorous of all, the janitor. It is a lot of work but each of those responsibilities brings forth another reassuring layer of pride and satisfaction that my skills and creativity are of value.

Following your dreams is not a fairy tale. It is hard and scary and amazing and fulfilling. But in those times of worry and stress, when you want to give it all up and throw in the towel, remember why you started. Why did it matter so much that you were willing to put yourself through this obstacle course in the first place? And let those thoughts fuel you. No one can push you harder, or help you fill your potential, or believe in you, more that YOU.

We’d love to hear more about Gypsy Stitches.
The Gypsy Stitches company was born out of a belief that creating-by-hand is a vital piece of our heritage, and in paying homage to timeless art forms that bring joy. In this fast-paced world full of ever-changing gadgets and technologies, we now more than ever need to slow down to truly connect with one another other and to pay attention to what inspires us. Art and creativity will forever be the catalyst that binds us to what matters in our hearts, while also freeing us from the burdening constraints of our modern lives and giving us a chance to explore our individuality.

As a handmade textile and fiber goods company, my creations are designed to bring whimsy, curiosity and a certain “bold comfort” to my customers. I tend to work on a large scale with bulky fibers and chunky ropes for my home decor, with slightly more subdued construction for my apparel lines, Combining “hard” and “soft” elements in my pieces is one of my favorite design signatures, as I believe we must celebrate all Working on such a large scale with many different product lines leaves me with tired muscles and calloused hands, but also with an overwhelming sense of satisfaction because I know I’m putting my strengths to work.

Not everyone has to be a “maker” but I do believe that the environment you curate around you influences your state of mind immensely. Gypsy Stitches exists to help piece together the unique world you wish to thrive in and the adventures you are passionate in pursuing.

Do you recommend any apps, books or podcasts that have been helpful to you?
 While I love tuning in to various podcasts, I’m really an old-fashioned reader at heart. Here are a few of the fantastic books that have helped along my journey:

“Why We Make Things and Why It Matters” by Peter Korn
 “Daring Greatly” by Brene Brown
 “Big Magic” by Elizabeth Gilbert
“The Motivation Manifesto” by Brendon Burchard
 “The Artist’s Way” by Julia Cameron
 “The 4 Disciplines of Execution” by McChesney, Covey, and Huling
 “In Pursuit of Inspiration” by Rae Dunn

Contact Info:

Image Credit:
Kaylee Lockhart
Kelly Garrison

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