Once a week I post interviews with interesting people about their insights on their experience of working in the Knitting industry. I’ve noticed that every one of these individuals makes their living in a slightly different manner bringing their own unique presence to the knitting world.
You can find Svetlana here and here on Ravelry.
Where do you find inspiration?
I don't think I really
have to find one: I was drawn to knitting since I was three years old,
because I was fascinated by my mother teaching my older sister how to
knit. I was just always curious about all kinds of handmade: what else
can you do with this or that material? You can do it in crochet, but can
you in knitting? Sometimes I receive sweet comments like: "Your designs
is a work of art!", but what really drives me is an excitement of an
artificer. I can get inspired by really fine yarn - like Malabrigo's -
because of the possibilities it provides.
What is your favourite knitting technique?
What is your favourite knitting technique?
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| http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/decorative-knitted-maple-leaf |
Do you look at others designers work or are you afraid that you will be influenced by their designs?
I avoid checking on other designers, because it's very easy to copy
something unconsciously, and I certainly wouldn't want to steal other
people's ideas.
How many sample/test knitters do you have working for you or do you do it all yourself?
How many sample/test knitters do you have working for you or do you do it all yourself?
I
guess you can say that I'm doing it all myself since I put my designs
on sales right after I've knitted it and written the tutorial. But I
have a lot of pupils at my off-line Moscow master-classes, where we
constantly check if everything I've invented is okay.
Did you do a formal business plan?
No, I didn't. I'm actually no salesperson. My business in handmade
began when I tried felting: made things like bags and coats, but didn't
know where to put all of them. Then I decided to try and sell it,
because why not? And like this I've registered on Livejournal, and on
the Russian handmakers web-site Livemaster.ru later on. It was difficult
to promote myself, but I've asked my friends to which I've sold my
things first to write comments. Like this my things became popular in
Russia. Later on I began to share my written master-classes on
Livemaster for free, and one Belgium girl that originated from Russia
translated one of my tutorials in French in an act of good will. So I
began to sell tutorials internationally. You can see that the
opportunities just sort of "clicked".
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| http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/knitted-shawl-autumn-lace |
Do you have a mentor?
Not really, but I've learned from the book of Horst Schulze that
knitting doesn't have to go in one particular direction. And I've also
learned from Kieran Foley - he's a mathematician and creates new knitting
designs, I absolutely love them.
Do you have a business model that you have emulated?
Do you have a business model that you have emulated?
No, I don't.
Do you use a tech editor?
No (I don't even know what that is).
How do you maintain your life/work balance?
How do you maintain your life/work balance?
My
work is practically my life. I invent something even in my sleep
sometimes! I like to switch from doing patterns to burning wood,
modelling in clay or making decor from time to time. I frequently listen
audio-books when I'm working, since most of the process isn't as
creative as mechanical.
How do you deal with criticism?
I
don't have it so often that it could become bothersome. I usually
correct all the flaws myself when I'm creating a design. But rarely my
clients do point some mistakes in my patterns. I don't get
self-conscious, just note to myself to be more attentive. I'm actually
getting much more frustrated when I have an idea, but just can't put it
mathematically.
How long did it take for you to be able to support yourself?
How long did it take for you to be able to support yourself?
I've
got lucky: my first pattern became very popular. I earned enough for a
living in the first month. But I walked a long way to get to this
point.
What advice would you give someone who wants to pursue a career in knitting?
Don't
offer dull things to people, there are already much more of them then
are needed! Don't put any boundaries on yourself beforehand: try and see
where it will go. If you fail - you can always retry, but it you
succeed - it will be truly unique.
What’s next for you?
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| http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/knitted-scarf-sakura |
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