Designer of the Week - Pillow Willow Designs
This week meet Anji of Pillow Willow Designs. She lives in Somersworth, NH with her husband and has a son, Stone, who is 9, and a daughter, River, who will be 6 in March.
See Anji's current eBay auctions:
Pillow Willow Designs
JM: When did you get started crocheting?
ANJI:
I grew up surrounded by yarn, lol. I don't remember actually learning, but I was about six years old when I picked it up.
My mother would crochet toys and blankets all the time, and I would use her yarn to make chains or little blankets and
eventually toys. In middle school and high school, I started experimenting with designs by drawing charts onto graph
paper. I have a Woodstock wall hanging in storage that I crocheted in the hallway during study hall :)
JM: What are your favorite types of yarn to work with?
ANJI: I have recently discovered recycled yarn. It is so cool! It is made of all these leftovers from other yarn and fibers and is multicolored - it reminds me of the friendship bracelets that we used to trade in elementary school. I am not sure what I am going to use it for just yet!
What did you do before eBay?
ANJI:Before becoming a sahm, I was going to school for Early Childhood Education and working in the toddler room at a daycare. I started selling River's outgrown clothes on eBay when she was about a year old. From there I discovered Gymboree and did the resale thing for a while, which opened up the window to the boutique world. After some encouragement from friends, I started designing and listing and that was that, I was hooked (no pun intended!)
JM: Do you remember the first item you sold on eBay? How much did it sell for?
ANJI:One of the first things I sold on eBay was my Equinox Poncho and Hat set.
I think it sold for $55.00 I think it is also the first time River modeled for me. She was so little!
JM: How did come up with your name, Pink Willow?
ANJI: Actually, Pink Willow Designs was suggested to my by Yahoo when the domain name I wanted was unavailable. I love it!
JM: Do you belong to any boutique group?
ANJI: I am a member of The Underground Society (Boutique TUS) . I came across a post on an eBay board that they were looking for new designers, and I was immediately attracted to the name and the design of the ad, so I applied. What I love is that it is a relatively new group, but incredibly organized.
JM: What is your favorite thing to create?
ANJI: love to challenge myself with difficult designs and new techniques. Halter tops and tank tops are the perfect outlet for this :) Also, anything with a punk rock edge. Right now, I am really inspired by Anna Sui.
JM: If you could learn some new skills, what would they be?
ANJI:
I still need to learn to sew. It's not something I was ever around, and I missed school the week we made pillows
in home ec, so I never did learn. It will definitely be my next venture.
JM: If you could travel anywhere, where would it be?
ANJI:Right now? Somewhere warm!
JM: What other things do you enjoy besides creating?
ANJI: Besides spending time with my family whenever I can, my favorite ways to pass time would have to be singing along with the radio, reading a good book, rearranging furniture, or drinking caramel macchiatos, lol.
JM: Anything else you would like to add?
ANJI:Thank you!!!

Do you have a question that you are dying to ask Anji? Comment about something she said or designed? Post it here and she will answer it!
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Comments
Sophia - Sophia Carolina Designs | Tuesday, February 6, 2007 12:14 AM | flag
Congrats Anji!!!! You have an amazing talent! As a lucky owner of several of your awesome treasures, I know that you are the best! I'm your biggest fan =) Sophia
Some past Pink Willow



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