Get to know the makers, businesses and faces who are helping us create Midwest Craft Con! Today we meet Esther Hall, a Columbus-based shop owner, fiber enthusiast and all around crafty gal. She’s the mastermind behind Yarn It and Haberdashery, which is a stop on our crafty bus tour of Columbus!
Megan: How long have you been in the creative scene? How did you get your start?
Esther: I’ve been actively involved in the craft scene since 2005 when I did my first craft show with Craftin’ Outlaws and Tiny Canary. I’ve been doing crafty things since I was 8, when my mom first taught me to knit and crochet clothes for my Barbie dolls. I have been making things and involved primarily in fashion since then. I attended the School of the Art Institute of Chicago with a focus in fashion and sculpture, and after college I found myself going back to knitting and making things, and I needed an outlet to sell them, so I joined the Columbus Crafty Cotillion and started applying to craft shows, and here I am years letter assisting in running craft shows and owning my own yarn store.
Megan: What services do you provide to your community?
Esther: I consult with festivals and other craft groups on how to set up and run shows or do calls for vendors. And my store provides classes for knitting, crochet, spinning, needle felting and weaving.
Megan: What are you most proud of when it comes to your business?
Esther: The community and positive influence we have brought through our store. There are a lot of old-school yarn shops that can be hard for a new knitter to break into and get to know, and we like to think of ourselves as the open arms and educator store where no one feels left out, no matter what their skill level.
Megan: What is one big mistake you’d suggest others avoid when entering the handmade arena?
Esther: Being a one-trick pony, just because it is popular one year does not mean it will be the next year. Also NEVER talk down about your craft or items —you are your own worst judge, and no one wants to buy from a vendor who is negative on their own wares.
Megan: Any big goals for the new year?
Esther: Expanding to more specialty yarns and branching out online to increase our social media presence.
Megan: What are you most looking forward to at Midwest Craft Con?
Esther: We will have unique yarns that can be used not just for knitting and crochet but to show off the colors and versatility of yarn that can be used in crafts, such as Loopy Mango, Noro and Ewe Ewe. And just interacting with like-minded crafters and small business owners and discussing our struggles and victories.
Meet Esther and so many other makers at Midwest Craft Con in February!
Midwest Craft Con 