Meet Debbie Borrego: Crochet artist

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

Hi Debbie, every day, we about how much execution matters, but we think ideas matter as well. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
How did you come up with the idea for your business? It all started back in 2009 when I became a stay at home mom to a 1,2 and 6 year old. I wanted to find something creative I could do to help keep my sanity being around toddlers all day. I started seeing pictures on social media and Pinterest of crochet items and loved they way they looked, and thought to myself “I want to learn how to crochet” I remember running to the craft store and buying crochet hooks and yarn and coming home and feeling so excited to start. But I didn’t know where to begin or how to even start a chain. I spent several days on YouTube watching videos and learning different stitches. I experienced moments of extreme frustration. This lead me to considering giving up. This feeling came and went and became a personal challenge. Over the years I started feeling way more confident in my work and posting pictures on Facebook and Instagram and friends and strangers started to really like my work! It was a great feeling. I would sell mostly hats but I quickly became bored and wanted to broaden items I could make. I purchased a book by Allison Hoffman called amigurume and it was basic doll patterns so it opened up a world of possibilities in my head to the amount of different people I would be able to make! I am happy to say that, as a result, I have made so many crocheted people and some even reposted my work and liked my photos like Tommy Chong, Method Man, Billie Ellish! But the one that really made me feel amazing was making Run the Jewels, not only did they repost my work but they sent me tickets to see them live in concert . I even got to meet them and give them their dolls it was an experience I will never forget! Fast forward to 2019. My very close friend and fellow crafter, Yves Kelly, and I had a brain storming meeting and thought to ourselves “lets open a shop online”. And so became the birth of CraptasticJunkhole. We chose that name because we wanted something different. Something that when people saw the name they would be intrigued and click on our site. Between Yves, who is a sewing, knitting and embroidery master and myself with all things I crochet, we thought it would be something different and unique for people to come and shop for themselves or for gifts for their friends and family. Not knowing where to begin with opening up a online store we didn’t have to search very far to find someone to help us get started. Ashley Kelly from GGN creative solutions set up a amazing webpage for us and taught us the ins and outs of social media marketing. We started to see more sales in our shop and very loyal customers purchasing items almost every month. Thanks to Yves help, I learned to step out of my comfort zone and started doing some Facebook lives to interact with our customers and showcase our work. We have amazing family and friends in our live that push us forward with encouraging words and their own creativity so having that support has been a blessing. The one glorious thing about creativity is I’m surrounded by it, and it inspirers me to be able to make Craptastic Junk!! You can view my work on Instagram at Crooked_Hooker and CraptasticJunkhole.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
When I see yarn the first thing I see is the color, texture, weight and they my mind starts creating designs in my head. It’s funny how some yarn and a crochet hook can create many things. I want people to know about CraptasticJunkhole because we are a small business this is our passion and I truly value peoples feedback, I know there will be some people that don’t like or appreciate the work I do and I have learned there will be people like that and you can’t control the way they feel. It’s the only down side of being a artist. I really try to make fun and unique gifts something that is totally different then your normal giftcard or Target present. I take pride in my work and I know it will be in someone’s home forever so I truly spend time on my work and in every stitch. Small business now more than ever needs people’s support, you are support their dream, passion and their living. I am a heavy pusher of shopping small and supporting other artist or local stores, I love hearing their stories of how they got started and that big leap they took knowing that it is what they wanted to do. I’m extremely lucky enough to be able to stay home and make art it’s been a blessing. I struggled in school growing up I had a very bad learning disability so I was always so nervous about when I got older what I was going to do and how was I going to support myself. Someone from above sent Josh into my life and we make a great team, he pushes me and my limits on what I think I can and can not do and most importantly he supports my art.

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.
Little 5 points is always as must when friends come to visit me. All the art and people down there inspire me every time I take a trip down there. I’m from Woodstock GA so I would also take them to downtown Woodstock. Filled with all small businesses it’s a little strip of unique shops and yummy food. Beautiful scenery and friendly people! Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I have so many creative talented people in my life, I’m not sure where to begin! My husband Josh Borrego who is extremely talented artist himself and a very creative eye! My parents Sue and John Kranyecz who have always supported my journey and my weirdness. My business partner Yves Kelly who is so talented and detailed oriented, she’s the ying to my yang. Allison Haufmann book Amiguume, she has so many well written crochet patterns, I highly suggest if you are thinking about getting in to crocheting to check her out

Website: www.CraptasticJunkhole.com

Instagram: Crooked_hooker or CraptasticJunkhole

Twitter: CraptasticJunkhole

Facebook: CraptasticJunkhole

Image Credits
Josh Borrego