Started Learning this beautiful craft from her Great Grand Aunt Alberta, Jaime Preston is now the owner and designer at Parlez Vous Crochet.
This all started when she was a 5-6 year old and learned this art from her aunt, however, as a child she found it frustrating “I learned to crochet at age 5/6. My great Aunt Alberta from Orange, New Jersey taught me. I still remember very clearly sitting next to her frustrated learning how to double crochet! Throughout life, I never really made anything because I felt like I lacked the skill. ”
However things changed in 2011, when her Aunt passed away she got all her crochet related items and later learned things from the famous ‘Youtube University’ as she points out “When she passed away in 2011, I acquired her crochet hooks and went to YouTube university(!) one day and started making hats with flowers on the side. Let’s just say they were a big hit!! People all over starting asking how much? Can I order a hat? From there Parlez Vous Crochet blossomed into what it is today.”
Talking about the first sales of a crochet goody she ever made, she gets quite excited and tells us “My first sale came from a friend who loved the first hat I ever made. Boy, was my hat stunning if I do say so myself! I took the hat off my head and gave it to her. The following day her mother wanted 12 hats in 5 days… boy, was I exhausted. But I did it!!! I was very proud of myself.”
Family always plays a very important role in our growth and hence the growth of the business too. She tells us how her family is always supportive “My family encourages me to keep creating even when I don’t have the energy to do so. When I feel like my creations are not so great, they give the extra boost I need to keep creations fresh and innovative. ”
And of course, when we do the pop-up shops and fleas they are our support as always. same goes for Jaime, she specially mentions their support for her pop-up shops “Sometimes they assist me at trade shows, promoting the products to customers which I feel is great because I’m A bit shy at that aspect of my business.”
You will not always be motivated so you have to be disciplined.- Jaime Preston
She adds that her personality plays quite a role in whatever Parlez Vous Crochet is today. And we are all for it. We have been following her since quite a long time now, watching all her Facebook and Instagram Live Videos. She is such a fun person, you can chat, ask questions and she will always respond.
In fact, we would love to add this little thing from our side. We have followed one of her patterns for hoop earrings and boom!! our sales went up like crazy. People started noticing our products. and everyone loved those hoop earrings. You can get that pattern from her Etsy shop. It is an awesome product for selling. worth buying the pattern for sure.
When asked about hobbies she jokingly said that crochet is the only hobby she has. In her words, “I used to scrapbook but crochet is the love of my life!! I love listening to good music while I crochet.”
Going further if we talk about her current business, she herself handles all her Social Media Handles and has a lovely crochet group for all your awesome crocheters out there. She is such a motivational crocheter and adds “I have a crochet group on Facebook that has grown tremendously over the past year. There I encourage people to be happy crafters, to love their work, practice and be great.”
Knowing what you are worthy of is the most important in doing a business and more so in a handmade business. People will come and tell you are overcharging or they can get the same thing at Walmart. Just don’t listen to such negativity. On the same lines, Jaime gives all of you guys a little advice “Know your worth. Make sure people respect your business and treat it as such. If you don’t stand for something you will fall for anything!”
It is true If you won’t respect your business no one will. We have seen such phases. It is really important to be happy and vocal about your art. Respect yourself and your business. That is the key to a successful handicrafts business.
She also believes that if it’s something you want to do that’s positive let no one or thing stop you from that dream. Go for it! Be better than you were yesterday and be a diamond shining a tremendous light.
What more can we say? Jaime, You Rock. with such a lovely Personality, Confidence and the never say die attitude we are sure you will go places. Thank you for encouraging and showing the right path to all us crocheters.
Note:- Her group on Facebook has lovely people in there, all positivity, fewer restrictions and yes no fights at all <3
Connect with Parlez Vous Crochet
You too can follow Jaime Preston / Parlez Vous Crochet at below places, go and show some love and buy some awesome patterns and products from her Etsy Shop 🙂