We had the good fortune of connecting with Iridian Villalba and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Iridian, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I pursued a creative career, because I always at some point would love to work for myself full time. Since I was a little girl I was always into selling things, such as bracelets, candy, literally almost anything. I enjoy and have a lot of fun having my own small career, and can’t wait for the day it becomes big. It’s definitely a learning process but very interesting and fun!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Ever since I started to crochet, It makes me relax and spend some time with myself, which is very much needed after a long day of work. I’m most proud of how much I can do that not many can, and find it hard to do, this definitely takes a lot of patience, that I honestly never thought I had. I’m amazed at how great I have gotten. It’s been a year and I’m learning more, to do bigger and better things! I had crochet a Winnie the Pooh and it instantly hit a lot of viewers, since then my work has definitely gone out there! I started my business about a year ago and it has been very challenging to get it to where it is now, I was making beanies, blankets, ear warmers, and none of them seemed to hit. I did sell about 5 blankets throughout the year, that I had been selling. Until the Winnie the Pooh! Ever since I have been making similar items, such as, teddy bears, cows, flowers! I guess it all depends on what’s trending I’d say. I overcame the challenges by putting my work out there even though it wasn’t getting a lot of views, but I did not give up, just because it’s something I love to do and want to keep working on. The lessons I have learned along the way is 1. Never make anything last minute. 2. Share share share your business on all kinds of social media’s and never give up! & lastly 3. Have a lot of patience! I would like the world to know that I love what I do, and appreciate every single person that has supported me and appreciates what I do, if it wasn’t for the people that support me, I would not be doing what I’m doing now.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
One of the first places I would take my best friend would be down 16th st mall in downtown. Downtown in general is very beautiful. We would also go to elitches, enjoy some rides and food! Meow wolf recently just opened and it has been one of my favorite spots that would definitely have to be a two day thing, since there’s just so much! Let’s say we wanted a day of drinking with some arcades, we would have to go with the pindustry, there’s bowling, arcades, a bar, and food! A dinner date I would definitely take them to thirsty lion! They have delicious food and drinks! I could go on and on, on places and things we could do, there’s just so much!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would definitely have to shoutout my boyfriend, he’s a big gamer, and I’m not so big into games. The idea to start crocheting came to me after having to wait for my boyfriend to get off his game for hours. So to keep me distracted I decided to start crocheting, and it has brought me so far, that I have my own small business for it now! I also have so much support from my family which I appreciate and love.

Website: https://Etsy.me/3CWbmvK

Instagram: https://instagram.com/v_crochet14?utm_medium=copy_link

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