Let's give a warm welcome to Elaine, owner of Smith Studio Knits!
All About Elaine
Where are you from?
Racine, WI
Do you have a job outside of this?
I do this full time!
What’s your dream vacation spot?
ooo I love this question! My fiance and I were going to go to Antigua literally *right* before the shut down for our honeymoon!! So i think finally getting to go on that trip (and get married) is number one on my list. I also follow a “cheap foreign house” account on IG and seriously want to move abroad after our step daughter is grown and out of college! (She’s 12 now).
What’s your favorite color(s)?
BLACK although my feed and yarn choices are always COLORFUL
What’s your favorite food/meal?
Tacos. Breakfast, dinner, soft shell, hard shell…anything tex-mex has my heart.
What’s your least favorite food/meal?
Any type of seafood. The texture and smell just do not do it for me.
Do you have a favorite movie or TV show?
My all time favorite movie is Jurassic Park! I watch it multiple times a year hahaha. And my go to TV show that I will always keep up with is Grey’s Anatomy
What’s a quote that you live by?
“Don’t look back – you’re not going that way.”
Do you have other hobbies?
I love to run! I’ve done 2 half-marathons and in recent years but obviously didn’t get a chance to this year! I also love to cook probably because it’s another way to create. I love interior design and organizing but I am NOT very good at it. But collecting Pins and saving IG images of beautiful homes is a way I love to unwind.
What’s 1 weird fact about you?
My toes are curled? Lol, at least it makes my shoe size small hahaha
If you had a theme song, WHAT would it be?
Anything you could dance to that’s also borderline cheesy
What’s the most spontaneous thing you’ve done in your life?
Probably just moving cities! I grew up in San Antonio but moved to Wisconsin for college. I even briefly spent a year in Chicago.
Do you have a favorite holiday?
Halloween!
Do you have a favorite season?
Fall
What inspires or motivates you?
I think being a good example to my step-daughter is a huge motivating factor for the choices i make and pushes me to work harder at developing my business
If you could do one thing for the world, what would it be?
To somehow massively reduce the amount of waste the fashion industry expends! I think that’s why making and buying handmade items is so important for me.
Anything else you’d like to share?
Sometimes on my IG feed you’ll see my Great Dane Pepper! She is my shadow, literally never leaves my side. And we recently added teeny tiny Coconut the kitty to our family!
All About Smith Studio Knits
How long have you been crocheting and knitting?
I began crocheting when i was around 7. On and off played around with that and taught myself to knit when in high school. I didn’t really seriously pick it back up until after college.
When did you start your business or hobby?
I started my business almost exactly two years ago!
Why did you start?
Like a lot of other makers, enough people told me I should sell my stuff! Then I started exploring IG and realized people really do make a career out of this so I decided I could too.
What’s your favorite thing you’ve made?
Tough question! I think a tapestry crochet clutch for my step-daughter’s birthday. I hope to make it a pattern one day but pattern writing is not my favorite thing to do.
What’s a piece of advice for someone just starting out in your field?
Don’t make things you don’t like making! Even if it’s a popular item that other people have success with. You’ll find your niche eventually.
Does your company have a mascot?
I think Pepper has grown to be the mascot!
What was your most memorable success?
The first sale to a complete stranger!
What was your most memorable challenge?
Designing a custom shawl for a woman as part of her cosplay. Collaborating on it was not what I was used to but it was a fun process.
How did or are you overcoming this challenge?
I based some sample designs off pictures she sent me. She picked out which one she liked best and then I had to make the larger version.
What’s next for Smith Studio Knits?
I would love to expand and get into local stores!
The Future for Smith Studio Knits
What’s your latest project?
Finishing my Halloween designs! Hopefully launching by the end of the week.
Where did the inspiration come from for this project?
I made Halloween hats for my nieces last year and thought I should offer them as a line this year to all customers.
Have there been any challenges with this project?
Trying not to cave and do a candy corn hat hahaha
Where can we find this project when it’s finished?
Link in my IG profile to www.smithstudioknits.com
When will it be finished?
Hopefully Friday *fingers crossed* I struggle with deadlines which is definitely a weakness when you work for yourself! lol
Go and give Elaine some LOVE! Like, share, or purchase a fun Halloween Beanie. Remember, supporting Elaine is supporting a small business and a local maker’s dream.
Here are the links:
Instagram: @smithstudioknits
Website: smithstudioknits.com
If you’d like to purchase a beautiful beanie, I know Elaine would appreciate it.
Comment below if you have any questions for Elaine or Smith Studio Knits.
And THANK YOU so much for reading and joining along on our Maker Spotlight. You can see a new maker right here EVERY Monday. I have some AMAZING makers lined up and I cannot wait to share them with you.
xoxo, Lindsey
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