Today we’d like to introduce you to Tonja Weaver.
Hi Tonja, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I learned to crochet in a high school crafts class and I was hooked! (pun intended). I only knew the basic stitches and couldn’t read a crochet pattern. Over the years, crochet fell to the wayside until after my youngest child was born during the height of Covid. I picked crochet back up and began learning how to read a crochet pattern. I learned how to crochet amigurumi (crochet stuffed creatures) and it brought me so much joy to create cute little critters! I crocheted pretend food for my kids’ play kitchen as well. In 2023 after dealing with a frustrating chronic illness flare, I decided to start an Instagram account devoted to crochet. I wanted to do something fun and positive! That is how Lolly May Crochet began. The name honors both of my grandmothers, one of whom was an artist and dabbled in many crafts. She never stopped learning and discovering. I was determined to design my own crochet patterns, so after I improved my skills, I did just that! I started selling my crochet pattern designs online and realized that this could be something more. Lolly May Crochet has now become a small business. I do make completed crochet items of course, but my true passion is designing crochet patterns. I love seeing other crocheters making things that I have designed.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Running a small business is a lot of work. I am more of a creative type, and I find that the business side of things can be boring sometimes! I am hoping to launch my own website this year. One of the biggest struggles for me is making time. Another is finding the energy. As a busy mom of three, I am constantly pulled in many directions. Plus, when you have a chronic illness, there are times when your energy is just zapped. Or your brain is too foggy. You have to use your time wisely. The support from my husband, family and friends really helps. Designing a crochet pattern takes time. There is a lot of trial and error involved. You need to use just the right stitches to get the shape that you want. Sometimes my vision doesn’t show up in the piece I’m working on. It helps to take a break and come back to it with a fresh mind. After I type it up, add progress photos, and make the document look pretty, I have other crocheters test my pattern. Then I go back through and fix any errors. Pattern testers are the best! Sometimes the pattern writing process can be frustrating, but I love the end result.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Crochet is what I do. I love dreaming up cute little animals and their whimsical, imaginary worlds, and then turning them into crochet pieces. Designing crochet patterns is my passion. When I design a pattern, I think about the children who will play with the crochet toys. What would they like? As a kid, I loved playing make believe and dressing my dolls up with all sorts of accessories. I try to create interactive crochet pieces with accessories that can be played with. My goal is to make something so cute you can’t help but exclaim with delight. I am most proud of myself for taking a chance on creating my crochet Instagram account two years ago. I am an introvert, so it’s out of my comfort zone to appear in videos / pictures and to put myself out there. I am also proud of the pattern collection that I have designed. I’m still in disbelief that people want to crochet something that I have designed.
How do you think about happiness?
My kids make me happy! I am a mom first and foremost. Creating crochet toys for them is the best! I absolutely love seeing someone’s face light up when they see one of my crochet items. It brings me so much joy to create something cute out of yarn, and I hope to share that joy with other people. The world can feel so negative sometimes. It’s fun to create something that will brighten a person’s day.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lolly.may.crochet
- Other: https://lollymaycrochet.etsy.com
