Today we’d like to introduce you to Monika Kulcsar.
Hi Monika, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I am a Hungarian American living in Texas for nine years and in United States for 19 years. I have a beautiful family, 19 years married to my husband, we have two daughters ages 14 and 15.
Growing up in Hungary. I was always interested in different arts and there’s a child I was always creating something. As a stay at home mom, I needed an outlet to be creative and picked up a crochet hook. I had a no background in crocheting, there was no grandma who taught me back in Hungary, so I used YouTube. I learned the basics and started to crochet blankets, hats, and home decor. After mastering stitches and different techniques I tried crocheting with a very small hook, using crochet thread instead of the regular size yarn. It was love at first stitch. I absolutely fell in love with crocheting with thread. I could only find patterns for doilies using this material, but after making a few of those I hit a wall. No one is really using doilies anymore so I got thinking and I thought why not make wearable art!? I could make lightweight earrings in so many different designs and colors. I found a few patterns online and I got to stitching. Growing up in an entrepreneurial family I was very interested in starting a small business where I can sell my creations and generate income. At my first market in Illinois I sold two pairs, which was discouraging. People weren’t interested in them in the Chicago area so I put it down and didn’t make any more. A few years later we moved to Waco and I started a new job at my daughters’ elementary school as a substitute teacher. I wore a few of my earrings to work and other teachers noticed them and became interested asking me where I got them because they also wanted some. I was very surprised that they liked them, so I just gave them some. My earrings got more and more popular at the school so I decided to start selling them for a very low price. Everything began at the school with one particular teacher who kept encouraging me to pick up crocheting again because here in Texas people like this style. I was grateful for her support. I set up at the school’s Christmas event as a vendor as well started to sign up for small outdoor markets. These markets were a family affair since we didn’t have any family living near us. All four of us went together. It was a good lesson for our girls where they had an opportunity to see firsthand how my husband supports me and how we support each other. After a few years as my experience and inventory grew I began to sign up for larger events. My husband is my second-in-command, helping with set up, moral support, and all secretarial jobs. He’s my bookkeeper, shipping label printer, muscle who moves my heavy things, car driver, food runner, and so much more. He works a full-time job, supports our family and helps out with my business as well. I could not do this without him. After six years of being in business we have an online presence such as social sites, Etsy Shop and a website. Customers can also find our product at two physical locations in Waco. We also sell in person at different shows during the holiday season where we have a beautiful set up displaying over 1000 pairs of earrings as well as other hand, crochet jewelry, home decor, all kinds of accessories and more.
Still a stay at home mom and now small business owner and creator my mission is to bring joy with every stitch, hoping that each handcrafted item becomes a treasured part of peoples everyday style.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No, it has not been a smooth road starting with learning crocheting itself. I experienced many challenges learning this new craft. That’s one of the reasons why I started my YouTube channel where I teach the way I wish there were materials available for me when I was learning crocheting, explaining everything I know meticulously.
Also, sometimes I have a hard time sourcing my materials. It’s very important to me that the crochet thread I use is high-quality and the colors are beautiful vibrant, sometimes these are difficult to find.
I also had to learn to understand that since crochet jewelry is a niche product not everybody will like it.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
We specialize in hand, crocheted earrings. We are known for the wide variety of colors and styles available, most of the styles that we offer I personally design.
What sets us apart is that we have over 1000 pairs of earrings on display when we do markets. When people walk into our booth and they look for a specific color in a specific design, I am able to accommodate them. I am very proud of the selection I have built and the designs I have made. I take much pride in the quality of my product.
I also have a background in photography and I am very proudly photographing each product. All the listings on our website and Etsy Shop and posts on social media are all my photos, no AI.
What were you like growing up?
I grew up as an only child in a small town in Hungary. My parents were small business owners, so I was modeled a very strong work ethic and I also learned to treat every customer and employee with respect. I like to say that the love of business flows in my veins, so blending my creativity and business together is the perfect career for me.
Growing up, I loved art and I was always creating something, trying my hand at different forms of art, such as painting, beadwork embroidery and knitting. Funny enough, the knitting didn’t stick and I cannot knit to this day.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://hookedbymonika.com
- Instagram: hooked.crochet.by.monika
- Facebook: Hooked – Crochet by Monika
- Youtube: Hooked – Crochet by Monika
- Other: Etsy Shop: HookedByMonika
