Zylo Handmade - Simplicity Works

Building Bridges: We came across Zylo back in early May while surfing Etsy and thought to ourselves, this lady has some down-right adorable items. We sure can’t sew, but our new friend Zylo sure can! Read on to hear her story!

Zylo: Hi! My name is Zylo and I’m the owner of my own shiny new shop called ZyloHandmade. I’ve been blogging for over 6 years and knitting nearly that long. I think any crafter thinks about starting a shop at some point and I’ve gotten close several times. However, I’m currently a full time MBA grad student so when I’m not citing my sources it’s nice to have something else to do. Aside from knitting, I’m making the brave foray into pattern design and sewing. I hope to expand my skills far beyond that now that I have a reason to focus on growing. 

I love the Etsy platform and have been drooling over items for years now. It’s such a well-known avenue that it was the first place I set up shop. I am expanding my knitting patterns to Ravelry.com and will also set up additional storefronts later with other platforms such as Shopenvy.com. ZyloHandmade seems an obvious choice for a shop name, but it answered two important questions that I get a lot: Your name is what? and Where did you buy that? It’s Zylo and it’s handmade – sometimes simplicity works.

ZyloHandmade had a false start a few years ago when I got my business license then promptly moved for an internship. I officially opened the doors again in March of 2014. I’m having so much fun stocking my shop and thinking of new custom orders that may excite people. I recently had my first sale of a hand knit forest green cowl in a delicious chenille yarn that I loved playing with. It was exhilarating to see that email waiting in my inbox – I swear my coffee tasted richer and the birds sounded sweeter that day. Though shipping always terrifies me a little, I’ll just have to do my research and get used to it since I don’t plan on quitting. 

The products that I’ve been making for my shop are usually things that I made for myself and have migrated into other things. I figure that if I love something enough, maybe other people will too so I’ll whip a few up in shiny new yarn or fabric to give it a go. My current favorite is the Whisper Wrap in this luscious, airy mohair blend yarn. I love shawls and this just really fit the bill for me so I started making more after I wore mine for two weeks straight. I’m also loving the hooded scarves and pocket scarves.

I’ve always wanted to become an entrepreneur and figured I would one day. However, when I told people that I was opening my shop now, the response I got from everyone was either “that’s perfect for you” or “it’s about time”. I didn’t realize that was how other people saw me as well, but it’s a huge confidence boost and it’s lovely to know that the people I care about are in my corner. I would like to grow my product line as well as start to establish a clearer idea of branding moving forward. I’ve always been a late bloomer, so I think that patience will pay off when sticking to it and looking for ways to grow without burning out.

Fanofstuff.com is the new home of my blogs. I get to have fun posting my recipes, patterns, and tutorials, and it is now the host to the behind the scenes secrets of my shop. I have a few other blogs, but Fan is where you’ll find me the most often since crafting and food is what I really love. 

Building Bridges: Thanks Zylo for sharing your fantastic story with us! False starts happen sometimes, but what really matters is you picked up where you left off and now you are doing fantastic! We look forward to watching your business blossom and take off! Friends, you can check out her blog on Fanofstuff, Facebook, Twitter,  & Pinterest. Wishing all a happy snappy Saturday! Shop owners you rock and that’s what we have to say about that! Be great…. until next time.