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

Hi Kristen, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
I first started my Etsy shop in 2016 – I worked part-time at a nonprofit, was a newlywed, no kids, and had a very limited budget! I had a lot to learn about everything, and thankfully the time to do it. It also took a long time for orders to start coming in, I remember vividly being proud of reaching 25 orders.

As I improved in my skills as a knitter and shop owner, I also took on more personally. I moved on to a full-time job as a marketing and communications manager at a nonprofit, we fostered kittens for awhile and had our first daughter during the pandemic. Then we moved back to Denver and had our second daughter so free time/business time is mostly relegated to post-bedtime.

With parenting littles, I’ve really had to narrow my focus and invest more in time-saving tools like a label printer, knitting machines, and taking advantage of porch pickups. While I used to just list items with ALL the color varieties, I limit it now to what I have on hand and am more likely to list something that I made rather than something that’s made to order so I’m not scrambling to get it done. I’m also a lot less present on social media than I have been in the past. I love seeing the reels that other people post, but I have to recognize that don’t have the bandwidth to put those together.

The balance is still a work in progress! I’m busier now than I have ever been both personally and professionally and at times it can feel like a lot. I’m thankful for the amazing support I have from my husband. I know that the phase of life I’m in now (toddler + baby) is a chaotic but short time.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
As a knitter and knitwear designer, I love to take the classic craft and make it more modern – “not your grandma’s knitting” if you will. I don’t work with scratchy yarns or bad colors but really want to make something that is both warm and beautiful. I love the variety in patterns and colors and fibers and the literally infinite number of combinations those can take. I’ve written several patterns of my own and have a running list of ideas for more in my head, I just need more time to write them down! And, perhaps best of all, knitting is a hobby that’s portable. I knit at home, riding in the car, in meetings, at church…people just expect me to have a project with me at all times. After becoming a mom, I was diagnosed with Inattentive ADHD and knitting helps me to listen better, like doodling is for other people.

Probably like any other small business owner, I’ve learned that there is so much more going on behind the scenes of businesses. I’m the writer, the laborer, the buyer, the marketer, the photographer, the shipping, and customer service all in one, and each takes care and time! Most of all, I think the biggest thing is patience. This is the 7th year that Knifty Little Thing has been around and I’ve worked hard and slogged through the slow beginning years to get where I am now.

Something unique about my brand is that starting this year, I’ve committed to donating 10% of what I make to Colorado nonprofits, choosing a new one each month. I’ve now worked in nonprofits for 8 years and the impact that they make on people’s lives is incalculable – and so is the need. I’ve been blessed to be able to make my business into a side hustle and giving back is a way to say thank you.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If you’re visiting Colorado, the possibilities are endless so I need to break it down into areas! Some of my favorites include:

-Old Town Fort Collins: I went to college at CSU and stayed there until last year! My favorite places are Walrus Ice Cream, Fries with amazing dips at the Crown Pub, Tea at Happy Lucky’s, and wings at Jim’s Wings
-Grand Lake: Spend time on the lake in kayaks or a rented boat, bike in Rocky Mountain National Park, and get ice cream at one of the many cute shops.
-Steamboat: Strawberry Hot Springs
-Skiing at Copper Mountain or Loveland and getting dinner at Beau Jos Pizza on the way back down the mountain.
-Denver: Washington Park has fun bike mobiles for rent, the Art Museum is amazing, and the performing arts center and comedy works has great shows. With kiddos, the Children’s Museum and the zoo are great too!

…And if you’re with me we’d probably stop at a few local yarn stores like Colorful Yarns, Fancy Tiger Crafts, and Elevations Yarn Co.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I couldn’t manage everything without the support and help of my husband, my mom who cultivated a creative environment in our family and is the best nana to my girls, and my grandma who taught me how to knit.

Website: https://kniftylittlething.etsy.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/kniftylittlething

Facebook: www.facebook.com/kniftylittlething

Image Credits
Knifty Creative Ltd

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