My Blogging Journey
Hey there! I’m Melissa, and I make things. I was first bitten by the craft bug as a child in the ’80s, and I have been crafting ever since. I began my blogging adventure in 2006 when I first learned to crochet from a craft blog on the internet. I found myself sucked into the world of craft blogs and just had to start one of my own.
I started this blog in 2006 to showcase some of my craft and DIY projects. I never imagined that it would lead me to run my own online handmade business and be published in several craft publications, including Interweave. It is totally a dream come true!
What Do I Craft?
Over the years I have taught myself a hodgepodge of craft mediums. Through trial and error, I discovered my love of fiber art. I primarily make items by crocheting, hand sewing, and cross-stitching, but I do dabble in other crafty ventures as the inspiration moves me. I have also tried many DIY projects, but I am no Bob Vila.
Where do I get my inspiration? Besides the obvious craft blogs and Pinterest answers, I find inspiration in a variety of ways: library books, vintage magazines, and photographs, but most often, I find it in pop culture. Music, movies, and TV inspire me every day, especially retro pop culture. I am a child of the ’80s, so I am greatly inspired by the sights and sounds of the ’70s and ’80s.
My mission is quite simple: to spark your creativity by providing ideas, tutorials, and resources that will help you live an inspired and happy life without spending a ton of money.
Moving Forward
Blogging back in 2006 was so much simpler. People really didn’t care much about the look of your blog; it was all about the content. There was no Pinterest. No Instagram. It was much more organic. Oh! How times have changed! And this is one of the reasons why I pulled away from blogging. It became more of a chore than a passion. That same year, I lost my 13-year-old cat, Drusilla (who was the original inspiration for this blog), to kidney failure and my decade-long job in publishing to downsizing. My heart just wasn’t in it anymore.
For now, Crafting with Cat Hair acts as an archived blog. My old posts are still here and might even feature some updated content, but there is no new content being added. Will this change in the future? You never know!