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Hands Occupied

Colorful knitting, crochet, latch hook and macrame from craft book author & designer Heidi Gustad.

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Almost a decade of Hands Occupied

January 6, 2020 2 Comments

A quick look back at a year of growth for Hands Occupied, and creative dreams for the year (and decade) to come!

Last year was a unique year of growth & change that I hadn’t anticipated at all, but looking back, I think I’m really grateful for how much the new year changed me for the better. A wise friend of mine refers to one’s early 30s as a “second adolescence,” and that is certainly the perfect descriptor for how the first quarter of my own 30s have felt, both creatively and personally.

Some might remember my 30s began on the heels of leaving a full time job with a pension to pursue creative work full time (more on that). After a couple years, the isolation of working full time (and then some because that’s how working for oneself goes!) brought some mental health issues to the surface in a way that got my attention. I spent a lot of time last year finding the right therapist for my needs and working on my issues, particularly taking on less design work and understanding the ebb and flow of my brain and how it relates to my ability to do creative work. I had absolutely no idea how intimately linked my anxiety/depression and creative output are, and it’s kind of blown my mind. (Maybe that’s something other folks inherently know, but for me, understanding that connection was revelatory.)

All of this sounds terribly serious, doesn’t it?

I guess I felt like sharing just a little about these adventures from the past year for context, particularly after the response to discussing mental health and crafting on my podcast, Very Serious Crafts, earlier this year (catch the episode about depression here). For anyone who may be concerned, I’m doing great headed in to 2020, all thanks to taking the time to do the work I needed to do to get back to feeling like myself. :) (TLDR: Therapy is great, everyone should go!)

A quick look back at a year of growth for Hands Occupied, and creative dreams for the year (and decade) to come!

Hands Occupied is 10 this year!

Speaking of heading in to 2020, let’s talk about what’s next. As I’ve said for years, opportunities in the blogging world continue to evolve and ultimately shrink as online behaviors change. Hands Occupied turns 10 in September, and I think it’s got me hankering for a bit of a change. In the first part of the year, I plan on taking a serious look at where best to focus my time as a craft designer.

In addition to the big H.O.-versary, the Hands Occupied Studio turns 1 in a few weeks, and I keep thinking about what more I can do with that space. The small IRL community that’s grown in Chicago around the Studio was a godsend this year, particularly when I was grappling with the sads, and I want to experiment with ways to make it grow. If you’ve got any suggestions or may be interested in hosting a workshop or event in the Hands Occupied Studio, please email me at heidi [at] handsoccupied [dot] com.

but life intervened

Until about a month ago, all of these plans fit nicely along a largely logical path that I’ve seen other designers follow, more or less. Then about 6 weeks ago, life tossed a monkey wrench in the works that could shift my career direction overall. Unfortunately, this project officially makes me one of those internet people who can’t talk about their [insert big thing here] right now.

Lucky for all of you, the deadline for said secret project is flying at my face at roughly 20,000 miles an hour, so while I’ll be a bit quiet this winter, the deadline will pass soon! And once my head is again above water, stay tuned for more about exciting new projects for Hands Occupied/me for the new decade.

A quick look back at a year of growth for Hands Occupied, and creative dreams for the year (and decade) to come!

TLDR

Basically, I don’t know exactly what my odd design career journey is going to look like in a year or 18 months, but if 2019 taught me anything, it’s the value of having a little faith in yourself and accepting that a lot of things in this world are out of anyone’s control. Keeping that (and an excellent, focused work ethic) in my back pocket for 2020 seems like the right call.

Thanks for continuing to follow me on this journey,
Heidi

Filed Under: Life Tagged With: mental health, new year, year in review

About Heidi

Heidi Gustad is a craft book author & content creator in love with primary colors & vintage vibes. She specializes in knitting, crochet, latch hook and macramé, and her first book, Latch Hook: 12 Projects for the Modern Maker, is out now!

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Comments

  1. Cindy

    March 18, 2020 at 4:57 pm

    Hi Heidi! I’m so happy I found your site I was also taught by my grandmother when I was 10. But unlike you I’m in my 60’s! I love your excitement for knitting and fiber. And I really like your videos on intarsia. Thanks for such a great site.

    Reply
    • Heidi

      March 28, 2020 at 12:38 pm

      You’re so welcome, thanks for the kind words!

      Reply

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Heidi Gustad from Hands Occupied / Craft Book Author and Knitting, Crochet, Latch Hook and Macrame Designer

Hi! I’m Heidi (she/her/hers), a craft book author & pattern designer specializing in knitting, crochet, latch hook & macrame. Really anything with yarn! ❤️  My work combines vintage and modern design elements, featuring bold colors and graphic motifs.

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handsoccupied

Craft book author & pattern designer ❤️💛💙
knitting, crochet, latch hook & macramé
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Please email for pattern support. 🧶

Heidi Gustad 🧶✂️
Working on a sample for some upcoming videos. It’s an overcast day with intermittent sunshine & I have a scruffy little sidecar. 🐶 Can’t complain! 
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What’s on your needles this week? 
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Yarn: @debbieblissknits Cashmerino Aran 
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#handsoccupied #knitting #knittinglife
Peg boards and craft room organization go together Peg boards and craft room organization go together like peanut butter and jelly. So, as you can see, do latch hook tools and screwdriver organizers! 🪛 
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I think this trick translates to any tool with a thick handle, so leather working tools, punch needles, print making tools, etc. should work! What other tools am I, a needlecrafter, blanking on right now? 
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#craftorganization #handsoccupied #latchhook #latchhooking
Pegboard storage is my favorite for craft supplies Pegboard storage is my favorite for craft supplies, so getting a few hung in my new studio has been a priority. Here’s my first attempt. 🔨 
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Details: This pegboard panel is for organizing my knitting needles, latch hook tools, sewing thread, etc. It doesn’t need to hold much weight, so I didn’t anchor this into a stud - just used basic drywall anchors. I’ve also got a set of two 2’x4’ panels for another spot in my studio, and those will need a stud/more than 3 drywall anchors. Wish me luck! 
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[description: video features a woman hanging a panel of pegboard using a square dowel and drill]
It’s time for the annual Hands Occupied new year It’s time for the annual Hands Occupied new year update, and for the first time in years, I feel like I have some clarity about what I’m doing next. ❤️ Head to the blog to read all about it, the 1ink is where you’d think. 
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#handsoccupied #knitting #creativeburnout
June’s face is giving, “What fresh heck is thi June’s face is giving, “What fresh heck is this?” 😆
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June’s big ears can get cold in winter, so I’m improvising a doggie ear warmer/hood for her. What are the odds she tries to shred it immediately when it’s done? 
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#knitting #knittingfordogs #handsoccupied #schneagle #wipwednesday #wip
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