Ana Paula Rimoli Interview

I have mentioned before that I am a huge fan of amigurumi. Once I discovered my love for crochet, it was all over. I really wish I had more time for it these days. I am so glad people like Ana exist. She was a wonderful person to work with for the Plush You book, she has always been very generous and most importantly, her creations are adorable. Any age would love a treat from Ana OR from you as you can make your own. You can get her patterns on her Etsy shop or purchase her new book, Amigurumi World: Seriously Cute Crochet. The title sums it up. You can also leave a comment here (with your email or way to contact you) and possibly win your very own signed copy directly from the creator herself!



S- When did you begin making amigurumi toys?

AP- I started making lots of them when I was pregnant with Oli (5), but I had made some (without knowing they were "amigurumi") when I was little (I started crocheting when I was 6 or 7)



S- Were you a huge hit on etsy right away? How did you try to increase your etsy business?

AP- At the time I was working full time in an office type place, and wasn't taking Etsy that seriously. Once Martina was born (she'll be 2 in September!) and I was in maternity leave I started making a lot more toys & patterns and posting a lot more and finally realized that I could Etsy full time, and I quit! :) I've never done too much advertising, but I did join Flickr right away and started posting in different amigurumi/craft related groups. I think that's helped a lot!



S- You have an awesome book out recently that I will get to more later, did a publishing company contact you or did you contact them?

AP- I had been thinking about the possibility of a book for a while, and I finally wrote a proposal and sent it to Martingale. I was super lucky and they contacted me right away :)



S- How has Etsy helped you as an artist with exposure, etc?

AP- Etsy has been a great way of showing what I do/getting exposure. It's an easy way to get seen by tons of different people from all over the world that appreciate handmade stuff, crafting and the arts. I would have never thought about the possibility of writing a book if it hadn't been for all the nice people that wrote, bought so many patterns and were so nice and encouraging.



S- Do you ever teach crocheting? If no, would you?
AP- No, I've never tought. I tried to teach Oli a couple of times but she's left-handed and it was difficult for me to show her, we're going to try again, though :) I would love to teach a little ami class, and I'm kind of planning one. Hopefully in the summer I can start :)



S- How often do you update your site with patterns?

AP- I try to post a new pattern or toy at least once a week, but right now I'm working on a couple other projects, so it's been difficult. I'm hoping to get back into that in September, with good news to share :)



S- Do you feel like you try to keep a certain demographic in mind when working on a new piece or you just feel the mood to do something new and do it?

AP- Not really, but I think most of the toys work for everybody :)



S- How long did it take you to work on your book from start to print?

AP- Most of the patterns in the book were already in my Etsy shop, so I just had to make the toys and take the patterns from the Etsy shop. I think it took a couple of months to have them all done and ready to go, and then around 7 months for the book to be out. I guess it was pretty fast :)



S- Do you have any favorite moments since the beginning of your amigurumi career?

AP- My favorite part are the nice, nice people I get to meet, and the letters!.
I got one from a mom that works full time and has little kids. She told me that following the patterns she can crochet a little bit here and there, in her lunch time or late at night, and make toys for them :) That felt so good! I know how difficult it is to work full time and have little kids and knowing that I'm somehow helping moms makes me happy. I love the feeling of seeing Oli & Marti play with toys that I make for them, and I imagine that happens to everybody.
Lots of people are saying that they're learning how to crochet just to make the toys, or with the help of the toys, and that's great too. Crocheting has been the old lady/toilet paper cover of the crafts for way too long, and I love to be a tiny little part of bringing it back.



S- What is on the horizon for you and your business?

AP- I hope I can continue to do what I love, and that I can grow, get better and try different things too. I hope this doll-making thing lasts forever. When I was little I used to always think how cool it would be to just make toys all day, and here I am! I don't think it can get much better than this :)

Thanks Ana! Don't forget to leave a comment for your chance to win a copy of Amigurumi World: Seriously Cute Crochet!