Simply Hooked: A Crochet Podcast

How do you run a successful handmade shop while homeschooling two kids? In this episode, I sit down with Sarah Carney, the creative force behind Blue Tomato Handmade.

Sarah shares the reality of being a stay-at-home mom who balances lesson plans with product launches. From adorable felt play food to polymer clay stitch markers, we discuss how to fit creativity into the margins of motherhood.

In this episode, we share:

• The Homeschool Juggle: Practical tips for managing a business with children at home 24/7.

• Diverse Income Streams: Expanding from felt toys to sweater clips and stitch markers.

• Mompreneur Mindset: Overcoming the guilt and finding a rhythm that works for your family.

If you are a parent looking for permission to chase your dreams without sacrificing your family time, this heartfelt conversation is for you.

BlueTomatoHandmade on Instagram

BlueTomatoHandmade on Etsy

For a deeper dive into growing your handmade business, check out my new book, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hooked on Growth⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, which goes into much more detail on scaling!

RESOURCES & LINKS

🧶⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Enjoy a FREE donkey pattern!⁠

🔆⁠⁠Join the Next Kit Club⁠⁠

🔆⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn to Crochet Course⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

📺⁠⁠⁠⁠My YouTube Channel⁠⁠⁠⁠

🔆⁠⁠⁠Simply Hooked on Facebook⁠⁠⁠

🔆⁠⁠⁠Simply Hooked on Instagram⁠⁠⁠

🧶⁠⁠⁠⁠Simply Hooked Crochet Patterns⁠⁠⁠⁠

📖⁠Grab Crochet Snuggle Buddies Pattern Book⁠

Are you prepping for a craft market but worried you won't make any sales? With over 10 years of vending experience, I share exactly how to turn lookers into buyers.

In this episode of Simply Hooked, we cover the 5 essential strategies to rock your next show. From designing a booth that stops traffic to pricing for profit, this is your crash course in market success.

In this episode, we cover:

• Market Selection: How to choose the right event (so you don't waste your weekend).

• Booth Setup 101: Display ideas that draw customers in and encourage shopping.

• Best-Sellers: Which crochet items actually sell best at fairs vs. online.

• Pricing Strategy: How to price your items so they move without undervaluing your work.

Whether it's your first show or your fiftieth, these tips will help you sell with confidence.

For a deeper dive into each of these lessons, check out my new book, ⁠⁠⁠Hooked on Growth⁠⁠⁠, which goes into much more detail on scaling!

🧶⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Enjoy a FREE donkey pattern!⁠

RESOURCES & LINKS

🔆⁠⁠⁠More About My Learn to Crochet Course⁠⁠⁠

📺⁠⁠My YouTube Channel⁠⁠

🔆⁠Simply Hooked on Facebook⁠

🔆⁠Simply Hooked on Instagram⁠

🧶⁠⁠Simply Hooked Crochet Patterns⁠⁠

Hi friends! It’s Marcy, and today’s episode of Simply Hooked: A Crochet Podcast is extra special. I’m sharing the behind-the-scenes story of how I landed a crochet pattern book deal with a major publisher and got my amigurumi designs featured in an international crochet magazine. 🎉 Even better? My crochet pattern book officially launches today—March 7, 2025! Saying that out loud still feels surreal.

In this episode, I take you back to the beginning and share:

✨ How one podcast episode sparked the idea for my crochet book

✨ The cold emails I sent that opened publishing opportunities

✨ The mindset shift that gave me the confidence to pitch myself

✨ How I connected with editors and saw my crochet patterns published in print

If you’ve ever dreamed of writing your own crochet book, submitting crochet patterns to magazines, or publishing your amigurumi designs, this episode is full of encouragement and practical tips. Because sometimes, all it takes is one email and a little courage to open the door to incredible opportunities.

For a deeper dive into growing your handmade business, check out my new book, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hooked on Growth⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, which goes into much more detail on scaling!

RESOURCES & LINKS

🔆⁠⁠⁠Join Our Skool Community⁠

🔆⁠⁠⁠Join The Next Crochet Kit Club⁠⁠⁠

🔆⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn to Crochet Course⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🔆⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Shop My Crochet Patterns⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🔆⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Grab The Crochet Snuggle Buddies Pattern Book⁠⁠

🧶⁠⁠⁠⁠Grab Some Crochet Merch⁠⁠

📚Check out the magazine issues featuring my designs! [Christmas Pattern 1,Christmas Pattern 2, Easter Collection: Link Coming Soon!]

Growth often happens underground long before you see the bloom. If you are frustrated by a lack of visible results in your business, this episode is for you.

In this Threads of Wisdom mini-episode, we explore Earl Shoaff’s concept of the "Law of Growth." Just like crocheting a blanket one stitch at a time, we discuss why patience is the most profitable skill you can learn.

In this mini-episode, you’ll discover:

• The Garden Metaphor: Why your business requires "watering" even when you can't see the sprouts yet.

• Trusting the Process: How to stay consistent when scaling your handmade shop feels slow.

• Earl Shoaff’s Wisdom: Timeless advice on how small, daily actions compound into massive success.

Whether you are learning a new stitch or scaling your income, this is your reminder to trust the journey and grow with intention.

RESOURCES & LINKS

🧶⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Enjoy a FREE donkey pattern!⁠

🔆⁠⁠⁠More About My Learn to Crochet Course⁠⁠⁠

📺⁠⁠My YouTube Channel⁠⁠

🔆⁠Simply Hooked on Facebook⁠

🔆⁠Simply Hooked on Instagram⁠

🧶⁠⁠Simply Hooked Crochet Patterns⁠⁠

For a deeper dive into growing your handmade business, check out my new book, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Hooked on Growth⁠⁠⁠⁠, which goes into much more detail on scaling!

Ready to turn your yarn stash into cash? If you want to start a crochet business or learn how to sell crochet online and at markets, this episode is your step-by-step guide.

I’m Marcy—a crochet designer and entrepreneur—and I’m breaking down exactly how to transition from hobbyist to business owner without the overwhelm. We cover the unglamorous but essential parts of running a profitable handmade business, from legal requirements to picking the right sales platform.

In this episode, we cover:

• Crochet Business 101: Understanding taxes, licenses, and the legal side of selling.

• Where to Sell: Comparing Etsy, personal websites, and craft fairs to find your best fit.

• Getting Paid: How to handle sales tax and set up payments using tools like Square.

• Marketing Essentials: Using Canva for branding and business cards that stand out.

Whether you want to launch a full-scale brand or just earn extra income with a crochet side hustle, this episode gives you the confidence to start selling your creations today. Grab your hook and let’s get down to business!

✨ Want to take your crochet business further? Check out my book, Hooked on Growth, for strategies to scale from side hustle to thriving creative business.

RESOURCES & LINKS

🧶⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Enjoy a FREE donkey pattern!⁠

🔆⁠⁠⁠More About My Learn to Crochet Course⁠⁠⁠

📺⁠⁠My YouTube Channel⁠⁠

🔆⁠Simply Hooked on Facebook⁠

🔆⁠Simply Hooked on Instagram⁠

🧶⁠⁠Simply Hooked Crochet Patterns⁠⁠

Do you love crochet but struggle to turn it into a profitable business that actually feels fulfilling? You might be missing your Ikigai.

In this episode of Simply Hooked, we explore the Japanese concept of "a reason for being." We map out how to find the sweet spot where what you love, what you are good at, and what the world needs all intersect to create a sustainable business.

In this episode, we cover:

• The Ikigai Framework: Understanding the balance between Passion, Mission, Vocation, and Profession.

• Finding Your Niche: A practical exercise to discover the specific crochet business idea that lights you up.

• Longevity & Joy: Why aligning your business with your purpose is the secret to avoiding burnout.

Whether you are just starting or looking for a pivot, this episode will help you craft a life that excites you.

For a deeper dive into growing your handmade business, check out my new book, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Hooked on Growth⁠⁠⁠⁠, which goes into much more detail on scaling!

RESOURCES & LINKS

🧶⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Enjoy a FREE donkey pattern!⁠

🔆⁠⁠⁠More About My Learn to Crochet Course⁠⁠⁠

📺⁠⁠My YouTube Channel⁠⁠

🔆⁠Simply Hooked on Facebook⁠

🔆⁠Simply Hooked on Instagram⁠

🧶⁠⁠Simply Hooked Crochet Patterns⁠⁠

Your business will never outgrow your mindset. In this premiere episode of Threads of Wisdom, I share a powerful concept from Jim Rohn that completely changed my approach to entrepreneurship.

This mini-series is designed to give you quick, actionable doses of inspiration. We explore why self-improvement is the secret weapon for turning challenges into opportunities.

In this mini-episode, you’ll discover:

• The Jim Rohn Philosophy: Why working harder on yourself is more profitable than working harder on your job.

• Mindset over Mechanics: How personal growth directly impacts your crochet business revenue.

• One Stitch at a Time: Encouragement to keep creating and becoming the best version of yourself.

For a deeper dive into growing your handmade business, check out my new book, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hooked on Growth⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, which goes into much more detail on scaling!

RESOURCES & LINKS

🧶⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Enjoy a FREE donkey pattern!⁠

🔆⁠⁠Join the Next Kit Club⁠⁠

🔆⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn to Crochet Course⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

📺⁠⁠⁠⁠My YouTube Channel⁠⁠⁠⁠

🔆⁠⁠⁠Simply Hooked on Facebook⁠⁠⁠

🔆⁠⁠⁠Simply Hooked on Instagram⁠⁠⁠

🧶⁠⁠⁠⁠Simply Hooked Crochet Patterns⁠⁠⁠⁠

📖⁠Grab Crochet Snuggle Buddies Pattern Book⁠

Ever hidden in the bathroom just to send an email without being interrupted? In this hilarious episode, I share how my bathroom unexpectedly became my productivity palace.

As a crochet mompreneur, I’ve had to get creative with my time. This isn't a lecture on time blocking—it's a celebration of the adaptability required to build a business in the margins of motherhood.

In this episode, we share:

• The "Bathroom Office": A funny behind-the-scenes look at where the work actually gets done.

• Productivity in the Margins: Practical tips for making the most of 10-minute pockets of time.

• Creating in Chaos: Encouragement for moms who are building their handmade dreams with kids underfoot.

If you’ve ever worked from your car or the laundry room, this episode will make you laugh and remind you that you are not alone.

For a deeper dive into growing your handmade business, check out my new book, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hooked on Growth⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, which goes into much more detail on scaling!

RESOURCES & LINKS

🧶⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Enjoy a FREE donkey pattern!⁠

🔆⁠⁠Join the Next Kit Club⁠⁠

🔆⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn to Crochet Course⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

📺⁠⁠⁠⁠My YouTube Channel⁠⁠⁠⁠

🔆⁠⁠⁠Simply Hooked on Facebook⁠⁠⁠

🔆⁠⁠⁠Simply Hooked on Instagram⁠⁠⁠

🧶⁠⁠⁠⁠Simply Hooked Crochet Patterns⁠⁠⁠⁠

📖⁠Grab Crochet Snuggle Buddies Pattern Book⁠

In this episode of Simply Hooked, I share a personal story about a trip to the frozen food aisle that completely shifted my perspective on competition. We discuss why variety is actually a good thing and how to stop shrinking back.

In this episode, we cover:

• The "Why Me?" Trap: Reframing the fear that the crochet market is too saturated.

• The Frozen Food Lesson: A surprising epiphany about value, variety, and customer choice.

• Your Unique Voice: Remembering that someone out there is waiting for exactly what you create.

• Building Confidence: Practical steps to celebrate your strengths and silence the inner critic.

Stop believing the lie that you have to be the "best" to be valuable. Tune in to learn how to step boldly into your creative calling.

For a deeper dive into growing your handmade business, check out my new book, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hooked on Growth⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, which goes into much more detail on scaling!

RESOURCES & LINKS

🧶⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Enjoy a FREE donkey pattern!⁠

🔆⁠⁠Join the Next Kit Club⁠⁠

🔆⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn to Crochet Course⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

📺⁠⁠⁠⁠My YouTube Channel⁠⁠⁠⁠

🔆⁠⁠⁠Simply Hooked on Facebook⁠⁠⁠

🔆⁠⁠⁠Simply Hooked on Instagram⁠⁠⁠

🧶⁠⁠⁠⁠Simply Hooked Crochet Patterns⁠⁠⁠⁠

📖⁠Grab Crochet Snuggle Buddies Pattern Book⁠

Did you know your crochet hook is actually a tool for stress relief? Research shows that the rhythmic motion of stitching calms the nervous system and acts as natural meditation.

In this episode of Simply Hooked, we dive into the science-backed connection between crochet and mental health. I share personal stories of how stitching helped me find clarity and calm in the chaos.

In this episode, we cover:

• The Science of Stitching: How crochet lowers cortisol and boosts feel-good brain chemicals (dopamine and serotonin).

  
  

• Mindfulness for Makers: Using your craft to improve focus and stop racing thoughts.

• Community & Connection: How fiber arts combat loneliness and foster connection.

• Quick Projects: Suggestions for simple, repetitive patterns that maximize relaxation.

Whether you are a beginner or a pro, this episode will inspire you to pick up your hook—not just for fun, but for your well-being.

For a deeper dive into growing your handmade business, check out my new book, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Hooked on Growth⁠⁠⁠⁠, which goes into much more detail on scaling!

RESOURCES & LINKS

🧶⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Enjoy a FREE donkey pattern!⁠

🔆⁠⁠⁠More About My Learn to Crochet Course⁠⁠⁠

📺⁠⁠My YouTube Channel⁠⁠

🔆⁠Simply Hooked on Facebook⁠

🔆⁠Simply Hooked on Instagram⁠

🧶⁠⁠Simply Hooked Crochet Patterns⁠⁠