Maker: Knit Phenom Julia of theLOVEstitch

Julia is a knit phenom at theLOVEstitch, and she’s just the person you want to know as we head into the colder weather. Her knits are bright, fun, and textural– and the best thing is that they can come in little surprises. Sure, you can drape yourself in one of her beautiful cowls, but you can also pin on a flower boutonniere, or carry a laptop covered in yarn. For Julie, knitting is a way of life, and one you’ll want to warm up with.

-aurora

please introduce yourself.

Hello! I’m Julia. Born and bred in sunny San Diego, and was lucky enough to spend my childhood days on the small island of Guam, in the South Pacific. Today I live in the the charming neighborhood of South Park, in San Diego, CA. The islands are beautiful and enchanting, but I love calling San Diego home. Everything comes full circle, I suppose.

what do you make or do?

I make loops with yarn with needles and hooks. I am the knitter, crocheter, shipper, webmaster, social networker and creative driver of all things theLOVEstitch, a humble little knitwear and accessory line.

where can we find your creations?

theLOVEstitch.com – website/blog

https://www.etsy.com/shop/theLOVEstitch– shop

how long have you been creating and is it your full-time job?

I’ve been creating since I was a child or at least for as long as I can remember. My mother was the parent that nurtured creative exploration and allowed my brother and me to learn more about ourselves through making, be it music, art, crafts or even concoctions in the kitchen. Creating has always been welcomed in our home. I am a licensed esthetician who maintains a full clientele by day and attends to theLOVEstitch in the wee hours of the evening. My “day job” as an esthetician gives me enough flexibility to have another business that satisfies my creative needs. I think both work synergistically with one another and I couldn’t ask for more.

when you’re not making things, what do you do?

I can honestly say there aren’t very many moments in the day when I’m not making something. I have busy hands and a loud mind. The bigger challenge for me is to silence my mind and attempt to do nothing. With the help of yoga, acupuncture treatments and massages I’m able to squeeze in a little quite time from time-to-time.

is creativity a luxury or a necessity for you?

To quote Ursula Le Guin, “the creative adult is a child who survived.” Creativity is a luxurious necessity for me.

what obstacles have you had to overcome to lead a creative life?

When you decide to be your own boss it’s always going to present challenges and struggles above and beyond your wildest dreams. I’ve never worked harder in my life than I do running my own businesses. I think there’s a misconception that a creative life won’t provide for a “successful life” but what’s most important in that equation is questioning who’s standards you’re living up to. That’s been the greatest obstacle for me, carefully defining what my standards for my life are and not letting myself get distracted with others flashing lights and sparkles. I constantly have to remind myself that I’m progressing with my work at just the right pace for me, especially during those moment when I’m not making 10 sales on Etsy a day or gaining traction in some curated exhibit. My success is defined by me, not by followers, sales or likes.

what would be your perfect day off?

Drinking coffee, being surrounded by loved ones, creating something beautiful, and cozy clothes. Perfection.

what inspiring advice would you give to other creatives, be they established or just starting out?

Continue to live your creative life for you, don’t be defined by other individual’s success. Just keep swimming.

The Love Stitch Dear Handmade Life

The Love Stitch Dear Handmade Life

The Love Stitch Dear Handmade Life

The Love Stitch Dear Handmade Life

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.