Meet the Makers: Aissa of 417 Crafts

These colorful felt blooms are clips for your pretty little ones! All lovingly handmade by Aissa of 417 Crafts.

What do you make? How did you get into it?
I make hair accessories for little girls using felt fabric.

I developed my interest in felt when I was working as a kindergarten teacher in Japan. Felt is a commonly used material by Japanese teachers and parents. They use it to make toys and badges for children; and I remember being so amazed by their felt creations every single time.

I brought home a bunch of felt fabric from Japan and started experimenting on different felt accessories when I got back. One flower clip became ten, the clips then evolved into headbands, and in just a few days, I magically turned our living room into one messy felt flower factory.

Are you a full-time crafter? If not, what is your day job?
I am a preschool teacher, graduate student, and first time expectant mom. I have multiple jobs – all equally exhausting but all equally rewarding.

These garterized headbands are simply pastel-pretty.

What motivates you in pursuing this business?
I’ll be taking a break from teaching soon to take care of our baby. Though that would most likely eat up most of my time, I’d still love to spend a portion of my day working on craft projects. As my form of therapy, I think the craft business will be good for my sanity.

Also, I don’t usually have one big goal or particular dream that I’m working toward; all I know is I simply want to do something great or awesome at any moment in my life. At the moment, that “something awesome” is my craft business and hopefully the business will lead me to bigger and better projects, one that would help other people in the future.

These felt crowns would amp up any little party for your princess!

What are some of the challenges of maintaining a craft business?
Finding time to invest in making hair accessories is the most difficult part of the job. I make lesson plans, teach children, and write student assessments. I do the groceries, fold the laundry, cook dinner, and clean the house. These are just some of the things I do on a regular basis – add to that carrying and growing a baby in my tummy. Most days, I find myself squeezing in time for crafting; what’s great about it is no matter how exhausted I am, I always manage to muster enough energy to finish a headband or two (or maybe even more).

What’s a new skill–craft or business–that you’d like to learn?
My next goal is to re-learn how to use the sewing machine as I would love to make clothes for my little boy.

Look out for 417 Crafts this weekend at the Maker’s Market!

What’s your most recent craft business milestone?
I’m new to the business so being selected as one of the crafters of Maker’s Market would have to be my most recent (and first) business milestone. It’s going to be my first official craft fair, and it will be the first time I will be selling my items in public.

What can we expect to see from you guys at the upcoming Maker’s Market?
There will be lots of felt flower hair accessories like hair clips, headbands and flower crowns. There will be lots of colors and designs to choose from so one can possibly go home with more than just one 417 purchase on hand.

Ya gotta come early to Estancia to get first dibs on these pretties!

Where else can we find your work?
You can find my work, inquire, and place your orders through Facebook (www.facebook.com/417crafts) and Instagram (@417crafts).