Wednesday, May 21, 2008

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!

125 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thank you for the Q & A it was nice learning so much. And Thank You for sharing your wonderful talent with the world and for the blog.

wadiefong said...

A very nice interview! I've always admired your creations!

IMakeCuteStuff (aka Marlo M.) said...

...and I thought I made cute stuff! Ana's stuff takes the (cup)cake! :D

Therapeutic Threads said...

oh my goodness, who wouldn't want to snuggle up with those cute turtles or have those peas on the counter. So much talent, so adorable! Thanks for sharing her!

pomly said...

That little bear is so sweet. When they named the book seriously cute, they sure were serious!

Crafty Traveler said...

how cute! I've never seen so many designs!!! how creative!

dot said...

These are very sweet. I don't think I have seen so many little crocheted creatures.

Susan said...

I just got into making amigurumi and am falling completely in love with these guys. Ana's stuff is so adorable.

Thank you for the Q&A I really enjoyed it.

Unknown said...

I heart the mushroom guy. Cuteness.

Cynthia said...

Ana Paula is gifted with a serial cutness mind!

Jess said...

I'm so glad you interviewed her! I have been buying and admiring her crochet patterns for a while now, and I always wanted to know more about the person behind the scenes:)

min mening said...

I really love these very cute creations by Ana Paula! Thank you for the interview!

Samantha said...

I love Ana's patterns! What a great interview. :)

' said...

Those peas in the pod are adorable! Nice blog!

annemarie said...

What a wonderful interview - Ana is great.

Sandy Gallia said...

wow, an excellent interview, i'm learning to do amigurumis, but these ones are so cute, so beautiful

Tracie said...

I've always admired Ana's talent. She creates some of the cutest things. Great interview! It's always awesome when someone can quit their day job to do something they truly love.

Alison said...

Yay! I love Ana's work!

Way Out Wear said...

Great interview. So nice to hear another success story! Thank you both for sharing!

s zuklich said...

i think i just died of cuteness! wow!

Gothmom said...

Ana's patterns are the best! I have bought several from her etsy shop and she even has emailed me a couple of freebies! I wish I could make Etsy work like you do!!

Gothmom

Yarni Gras! said...

I love Anna's work....she is AMAZING!

Leito said...

yay! Thank you for the great possibility to win Ana's book. I love what she does =)

Bunny B said...

Great interview! Adorable stuff! Lovely!!

Abigail said...

wonderful interview and adorable little amigurumi!

(alien_sunset at yahoo.com)

Rebekah said...

Thanks for the great interview! :)

SylvChezPlum said...

Thanks for that interview, it's inspiring to see her making a book..!! :-P

Erin said...

Awesome interview! I feel like I know more about her now. Am excited to take a look through her book at my local bookstore~

Harpy said...

The turtles are a new one, I haven't seen too many amigurumi turtles haha. Can't wait to see what she comes up with next. :)

Unknown said...

That's awesome, I love Ana's patterns!

Michelle said...

Thanks for the great interview! I'm a huge fan of Ana and her creations!

Jeni said...

Those little creations inspired me to pick up a hook and give crocheting a real effort, not to mention make something other than an incomplete hat! I am sure my 4 y/o thanks Ana too, she doesn't care for hats! :)

Unknown said...

I am completely and utterly addicted to Ana's patterns. I can't seem to get enough. I finish one and want to make more and more.

Shannon said...

cute chat!

Fiona said...

I love Ana's toys. I've bought a few through Etsy, and have now enroled in a crochet class so that I can learn to make them myself!

Rachael Hutchings said...

Great interview! Ana is one of my favorite amigurumi designers.

Jenn said...

Great Interview! I want that book so bad!!! :)

Julie said...

Thank you for sharing this interview. I am a big fan of Ana's things. :)

Rebecca said...

Excellent interview. I love these little critters!!

Michelle said...

My absolute favorite are the creatures in their little homes! They are so squishy-cute! Thanks for the interview and for offering a free copy of the book. I'm keeping my hooks crossed.

maria said...

muy buena entrevista, felicidades!!

Linda said...

Thanks for the interview; it was nice to learn a bit more about the lady behind all the cuteness. Count me in for the drawing for the book - Love it! Thanks!

Kristen said...

Hi! I love Ana's stuff! I have bought a lot of her patterns on Etsy! She is such a sweet person and her patterns are my favorite of all time! I would love to win a signed copy of her book of my very own. I enjoyed reading the interview you had with her!

Kristen Browder
browderk@comcast.net

Hodgepodge said...

The peas in the pod are so cute my teeth are aching!

StarKnits said...

oh wow, i'd love to win that book.
thanks for doing the interview.
i love amigurumi

margarita said...

i think it's fantastic that designers do what they do best, design. i don't design, and i appreciate all those that do :o)

Kyla Nicole said...

Wonderful interview; thank you for sharing =]

Unknown said...

Oh thanks for doing this interview! Ana's shop is one of my favorite on etsy and I'm so glad to hear more about it.

Kimberland Designs said...

I love ana's designs. I have bought several and they always turn out great. She is a very talented artist. Thank you for the interview.

Unknown said...

I love her patterns. she is so amazing!!!

Allison Hoffman said...

Wow I really admire you, Ana Paula---I've seen your stuff forever but I love hearing the personal side of why you do it. I am staying home with three little boys right now and I try to keep my identity intact with projects like that---hopefully I can get serious about it and make something great come of it too!! Thanks for the inspiration!

Kari said...

Great interview. I love your work, Ana! Thanks!

Alina said...

Those are really adorable!
Thanks for posting up the interview~~

grammapt said...

I have never tried to do any amigurumi, and after seeing the work that Ana Paula does, and reading the interview, I want to learn this technique. What an inspiration! I am going to try some of these for my grandchildren. They will love them!

Izzy said...

Thank you sharing with us about your beautiful and oh so cute work. It is so inspiring.

Joan said...

Thanks for the interview! It was cool learning more about Ana Paula!

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

Your creations are sooo cute!!!

Thhanks for the interview!!!

(^(I)^)

tendril said...

I learned to crochet a few months back for the sole purpose of wanting to make cute little gurumi's and these are seriously cute!

Caca Preciosa said...

Me encantan sus creaciones! son todas monisimas ^^

Yo estoy aprendiendo, pero aun me queda mucho camino...

saludos!

N. said...

Ana's etsy site was the first I found when looking at amigurumi a year or so ago. Her patterns are adorable and I can't wait to check out her book!

M. said...

!Qué bien que has puesto algo en castellano, así me entero de lo que pones pues ando muy justa con el inglés!
Me tienen loca tus amigurumis, eres una artista y me encantan todos.
sería feliz si me tocara a mi.
Como dice juanes !Me enemora..."
Saludos desde Bilbao, te intento leer muchas veces pero es la primera que comento.

Carla Maria said...

Aw so cute!! I just love her designs. Thanks for the great interview!

bunny.labbit said...

Great interview and thanks sharing this with us! The amigurumi toys are so adorable! ^^ I just love them!

bunny.labbit said...

Great interview and thanks sharing this with us! The amigurumi toys are so adorable! ^^ I just love them!

void.flower said...

Excellent interview! It's great to be able to peer inside the life of someone so famous in the amigurumi world :)

Congratulations Ana on getting so far! All your creations are so cute!

Mary Catherine said...

Such a wonderful interview! Ana's patters are ADORABLE!!!

wanderer said...

Thanks a lot for sharing this interview with us! It is really inspiring. My mom, friends and I really like Ana's creations and designs a lot! =]

Hello Pineapples! said...

Great interview. I love to read how people have managed to turn their crafting into their business. And her amigurumi is so darned cute!

Chrystel said...

i love amigurumi and Ana is the very best... she's my favorite designer...
thanks for the interview !:)

Debbi Muche said...

I have been crocheting for many years, but this "fun" style is new to me, I love it and can't wait to try it.

Rachel said...

I absolutely love Ana's patterns and toys. They are so adorable! Great interview, as well.

Unknown said...

Very lovely interview! I LOVE Ana's creations. They are all simply adorable. I'm on the waiting list at my local library for her book. I really cannot wait to check it out. <3

Anonymous said...

Wow! Those are so cute! I must try her patterns soon!

Anonymous said...

So cute! :)
I was thinking about buying one of her patterns last year but forgot it until now! I love her work!!

Unknown said...

It's fun to read about 'the person behind those cuuuuuuuuuuuuutsies'. ^_^
I love her creations. Her free patterns got me started on making ami's (yes, I'm one of those) and I will be making the pea pod soon!
I already purchased her book, and have little crocheting get-togethers with my friends to teach them how to make them.
It's real fun!
When people think crochet is dull, I show them her creations and they all love it!
It seems so much fun to do this for a living. =3

æ said...

Cute,cute,cute and thank you for a nice interview!

Unknown said...

Thanks for a wonderful interview. And what a bunch of lovely amiguramis. I would love to be able to make such wonderful amiguramis myself.

Unknown said...

Cute amigurumi (I still can't say that word)! I'd love to win this book for a graduation gift for my sister.

Unknown said...

these photos are adorable. great interview. I'm working on one of Ana's patterns right now!

redpanda said...

I just got one of Ana's patterns and I'm excited to make it! Hooray for handmade!

J.E. said...

I love Ana's creations and have been visiting her blog for a while now. So glad I was able to find yours from hers.

And of course a free book with her wonderful creations would be wonderful. giraffe.collector at gmail dot com

PurpleCookie said...

ooooo... love her crochet creations!

sleepydoe said...

Mmmm Ana Paula Rimoli amigurumi!

meemsnyc said...

I absolutely love amigurumi! Thank you for the awesome interview.

BELULA said...

You do some wonderful things ... and this time I would like to earn the book ... congratulations on the interview ..
Haces unas cosas maravillosas...y me encantaria esta vez ganarme el libro...felicidades por la entrevista..
Gracias..:)

Chef Mary said...

Thank you so much for the delightful interview!

Purple said...

All these patterns made me want to learn to crochet and guess what? I learnt by using the internet! Now I'm busy looking for some yummy patterns and hopefully one day I'll be able to create my own like you have.

Lisa said...

I just adore Ana's work. I just learned how to crochet and I am in love with her patterns. I already made the panda from Knit.1 in pink and it's so super cute. Thanks for the interview - was an interesting read. :)

ELENA said...

Me encanta tu trabajo, los amigurumis y también tu entrevista. Muchas gracias. Besos desde España

Caroline said...

Love your creations! What a talented crocheter! Keep up the good work!

Chu said...

Wow!!! thanks for that interview! Ana Paula is a inspiration for everyone who crochet amigurumis :). Love her art work!

Just-Jennfu said...

I am new to ami and love it sooo much... your talents inspire me. I just keep looking at your work and its awesomeness!

Jess said...

I really love her mommy & baby turtle pattern and the free patterns she offers on her site. I made little cactus' for my friends when I left Arizona. She is so gracious to share those creations!

cherublace said...

I bought several patterns last summer and have 5 in my cart on etsy. Ana's patterns are fun and quick and the kids love them. I am pleased the book was published! Way to go Ana!!!

cherublace said...

I bought several patterns last summer and love them so much. They are quick and easy and definitely lovable. I am so happy for Ana that the book is out there. Continued good luck Ana!!!!

~Alesha~ said...

I love Ana Paula's creations! Thanks so much for all of your hard work. My daughter already has a number of your cute ami's in her possession and is constantly asking for more.

Kitty Wu -MateriaLeve- said...

Amo todas las creaciones de Ana! (L)

Unknown said...

Fantastic interview and such cute amigurumi!I want to make them all

suse-the-slow-knitta said...

Ana Paula's creations are absolutely wonderful. I hadn't picked up a crochet hook for years until I saw her designs, and 6 weeks later I'm the proud friend of 5 ami's. Very inspiring indeed!

S! said...

A very nice interview!
Amo su trabajo!

Lisa said...

This is so cute and very talented. I am just learning to crochet and make these items.

Tina @ Squirrel Acorns said...

Thanks for the interview! DH's aunt just taught me to crochet this weekend and I'm so excited because I've been coveting Ana Paula's book for awhile, but I didn't know how to crochet!

Jessica said...

This is an awesome interview. I love hearing how people get started. It gives me hope that maybe one day I can do my own thing too.

chibichobit said...

I love your designs! My grandma taught me how to crochet back when I was about ten and I had stopped doing it, But now at the age of 17 I have fallen in love again thanks to Amigurumi! Thank you for all the work you have put into this craft!

Kaneko said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Kaneko said...

I am absolutely in love with your creations, Mrs. Paula! You're a complete idol to my little sis and I. Oh, and thanks so much for all the wonderful free patterns (for those of us who can't afford the Etsy ones)! :P Please continue to create and share! <3

mamajen said...

I just discovered Ana on etsy today. I can't wait to start making these for my kids and as gifts! They are adorable! I knit, but am going to learn to crochet so that I can make these. What a great small project to carry around for those free moments out and about during the day. Thanks for the great Q & A.

Rosangela said...

Gran entrevista! Acabo de aprender que existen los amigurumi y me he quedado enamorada de ellos. Qué hermoso saber que hay una gran diseñadora de habla castellana y de mi continente! Ana Paula nos inspira a usar nuestros talentos para sobrevivir física y emocionalmente!

Adrienne said...

Thanks for the interview. I am new to amigurumi and love it.

Mal said...

I love ana's crochet toys! they are sooo cute!!

thank you for the interview!

MelodyKitn said...

Those are so adorable! I'm just self-teaching myself crochet now and can't wait to make cuties like that someday.

1miraclemom said...

Amigurumi crochet is so cute. I used to live in Japan and I can see these items in Japanese homes, not just for kids! Thank you for sharing your talent, I look forward to working up my own collection!

wingwing said...

I love "Amigurumi crochet" very very much~~~ and thanks for your sharing... my e-mail~little_wingwing2005@yahoo.com.hk

Spool {} said...

Ana's Amis are the benchmark of the Ami world! I love them to pieces :)

El Refugio said...

Hola!
Que maravilla de manos tienes!
Acabo de dejarte un comentario en ingles y despues leo que escribes también es español, ¡que fallo! jejeje
Pues lo dicho, muchísimas gracias por compartir tus patrones, y enhorabuena por tus labores, son preciosas!
Yo también quiero participar en el sorteo del libro!!!
Besos

Fabíola said...

Por Diós! San tan preciosos *.*
Felicitaciones por su increible trabajo ;)

Besos
Fabíola
SP, Brazil

Selene said...

I just love this amigurumi! Is dificult to do reading in english but if I found a drew diagrams I can do becouse I used before some diagrams form japonese books and I do everything right! If someone help me I will be more then happy!

Selene From Brazil, living in Finland now.

Vashey Fam said...

Thank you for the great interview! You are so humble, but I can see that you are super creative. I would love to learn to crochet like this!

Anonymous said...

Oh my gosh! I'm so glad you interviewed Ms. Rimoli - she is quite simply one of the most talented fiber artists I've seen. I love her amigurumi and have favorited many of her designs in Ravelry.

Bindi said...

I have recently dicovered this craft and I am absolutely hooked (pardon the pun)! You're cute little critters are absolutely inspiring :)

Shiver and Fever said...

What a cute cupcake!!! I just started crocheting and am only 13, but I love it alredy. Can't wait to save up enough $ to buy your book!!

Shiver and Fever said...

I love your little worms and cupcakes!! Can't wait to buy your book!!

Unknown said...

Oh my goodness, I LOVE amigurumi! I have made many for my family on birthdays and Christmas... Ana, you have helped a lot... Thank you SO much!

Unknown said...

My daughter was inspired when she saw the book. We have are Aawh moments when we look at them. So cute. Can't wait to start making them.