Donna Mae Baukat

My first crochet class started August 30, 2013; it was an online and DVD class that I acquired from Annie's Catalog Online Classes. I started out with easy scarves. My download library is large. I haven't started crocheting nearly half of them as yet. My favorite stitches: Crocodile; Front Post Double Crochet; Shell; and V-stitch.

In March 2014, I attended a private class on Free Form Crochet through September. As a result, my crochet projects have all been in free form. I've been selling free form, wearable fiber art (outerwear and accessories) online since. My first arts & crafts shows were between 11/1/14 and 12/7/14. To my amazement, people were attracted to the one-of-a-kind women's outerwear and the Stole-N-Hoods I designed in free form. The very first woman's vest was made within two weeks and it was the first sale at the November 1st fair in Pagosa Springs, CO. It was an unexpected best seller. In comparing my work with my teacher's, I wasn't satisfied with the design. I am meticulous about workmanship, a natural trait I'm known for....

Recently I turned 70 -- my past career was in electronic component sales. Some say that I have a natural talent for art -- but, if you asked me two years ago in what art my talent(s) would be categorized I would have replied: Vocal soloist and sales. My husband of 33 years has enlightened me with my new crochet business, and now says that my natural talent is designing crochet women's vests and capes. He's my biggest fan. My greatest help, especially in setting up exhibit booths and tables.

Three children are from my first marriage. Seven grandchildren and 2 great-granddaughters have blessed me with jot! One granddaughter has just learned to crochet at the age of 12. I hope she'll become a free-form crocheter, too, because at this time she is crocheting without a pattern. Now, she's gonna have to learn to tighten those stitches.My husband and I retired late 2013 here in Durango, Colorado. We lived in Orange County, California, all our adult lives. My parents moved from Honolulu to Southern California early in 1958. I've many cousins still living in the Hawaiian Islands. Being in the cold climate of Colorado has not been a big problem, although I love staying in out of the frost. Especially, when I'm in bed crocheting. Admittedly, its my workspace due to a longtime disability. What an excuse for sitting in bed and watching TV: Designing and crocheting.

The hardest part of conducting an online business is the marketing and website maintenance. Although I am computer savvy and desktop publisher, I hate the time it takes away from my crochet projects. I'm learning not to handle more than three crochet projects at a time--mostly, I hate being pulled from one idea to another by people who think I should crochet certain products...which don't sell. I later find that I should be sticking to the high-end items that people really prefer to see more selections.