Meet Amy, the enthusiastic amigurumist and the owner of Hooked Academy where she teaches amigurumi dolls and runs crafts classes for crochet, knitting, cross-stitch, book binding, nails & strings, sock dolls, bag sewing, dress sewing and mohair teddy bear making with a group of professional crafters.
In this interview, we learnt about how she gathered the courage to quit her promising job in the IT industry to begin crocheting full-time and eventually turned her hobby into a business. Read on to learn more about her entrepreneurial journey and how she achieved more satisfaction and balance in life.
Amy, the owner of HookedbyAmy and Hooked Academy
- Tell us a little bit of your background. How did you get started with crocheting?
I was working in the IT industry for about 8 years before I finally call it quits. I loved my job but it was becoming more of a routine for me and the workload has taken over my life. My husband was not very supportive of my decision to be a full-time amigurumist in the beginning. He did not like the idea of me leaving a stable job to make dolls for a living, also mainly because I have zero experience in the crafts industry. However I was very determined and worked really hard in putting down my ideas in a business plan. Just two weeks ago, I achieved another milestones by opening Hooked Academy.
I first got my hands on amigurumi through a friend. She has great talent in designing dolls and I thought, since I was in the verge of quitting my job, maybe we should work together! And I started to learn some basic patterns and eventually designing my own. Although she has quitted after a few months into the business, the passion in amigurumi has rooted in me thus I took over and continue running it myself.
- What is an amigurumi? Did you name yourself after it?
HAHA! No, I didn’t. My mum miraculously named me Amy since my birth and oh, such beautiful coincidence that I am into this obsession now. In Japanese, ami means crochet and nuigurumi is stuffed doll.
- What was the first amigurumi you made? Any tips for beginner crocheters?
The first amigurumi I designed was a long caterpillar, as a baby bolster. Honestly, just like all other crafts, to make a decent looking amigurumi is not easy but it is not hard either. As long as you have the patience and the “never-give-up” attitude, you will make great dolls after consistent practice on your crochet stitches.
Skillful hands at work. - What made you decided to turn your hobby into a business?
I started with a Facebook page where I posted photos of my plushy dolls just to test the curiosity of people. Amigurumi is still rather new here in Malaysia and I wasn’t sure what the response would be like. Surprisingly the momentum picked up very quickly and soon I have many fans dropping by to like my page and the items I posted. That was really encouraging and I began getting numerous requests to teach. And I would say the rest is history!
- What inspires you when creating your designs?
My characters are mostly animals that I just think is cute. Sometimes my students or clients would place customise orders, which gives me new ideas. I love crocheting customised dolls – those are great challenges which brings great satisfaction when I am able to complete the project.
I also like to borrow a little from gamer culture – like the Mario Mushroom and a little from cartoon characters – like the Elmo and Cookie Monster Baby Rattle.
I have a pet Silky Terrier and I also love to create fun toys for her. I’ve made a UFO and a Doggy Bone, which I stuffed a huge bell in it just to excite her.
The animal collections. - Tell us about your Kids Doodle Series.
I’m really excited about this fun project actually. I’d like to call it a collection of crocheted doodle dolls where I turned kids’ drawing into a real toy. I guess mothers would never think their kids’ doodles could come real into an actual doll. It is a great way to motivate kids and build their confidence level through drawing. Well, what makes it special is there will be no other doll looking the same as your kid’s!
The Kids Doodle series. - What makes you get out of bed every morning?
I love how everyone smiles when they laid their eyes on my plushy dolls. This satisfaction I often get push me further, to spread the love and passion, by sharing the art of crochet. I believe a handmade craft speaks a thousand more than a gift grabbed from store. Hooked aims to sprinkle that little magic touch of love to everyone around, so that you too, can make your love ones smile.
HookedbyAmy’s plushy dolls. - What do you consider the most challenging about running your own business?
Hmmm… Coming from someone who has no experience in any craftworks before, I find it a great challenge (and at the same time a joy) to keep myself updated to more and more advance /new techniques in the market in any crafts. There are so much to learn, it is never ending. I guess this is also why I love crafts, as I can never get bored doing it.
- What are the perks of being ‘self employed’ (self motivating) and do you miss your old job?
No – I do not miss my nine to five job. The moment I stepped out from the corporate world, I know I would never go back.
Although I have yet to taste the luxury of being flexible in managing my own schedule… just yet but I love what I am doing, I can never get bored with it even when I needed to work longer hours than my previous job.
- What advice would you give to anyone who is thinking of starting a business?
To hold on to what you believe and do not give up! Although I didn’t understand crafts and no one had supported my idea to do amigurumi business full time, I determined to hold strong to what I wanted and turned these negativity into motivation to prove to everyone I could do it. I have not regret a bit till today for giving up my fat pay job.
