Owner of Lady By The Sea Crochet
What is your background? How did you begin doing what you do?
My mother was an expert knitter and also crocheted. I grew up watching her create all kinds of items. She passed on this passion to me. A lot of people confuse knitting and crocheting. Knitting uses two needles or a loom, while crocheting involves use of a single hook.
She taught me how to crochet (and knit) early on, and I have had a crochet hook and a ball of yarn in hand consistently for more than 30 years. You could say I am ‘hooked’ on crocheting. I am well stocked with a lot of yarn and cannot resist a good sale. My husband jokes that I stash yarn like squirrels stash nuts! There is no way I could use or keep everything I crocheted, so I would often make items as gifts for friends and family. And then one day, I had a GREAT idea.
Everyone who knows me, know there are two things I am passionate about: Dogs and Crocheting. I love dogs. I have always had dogs throughout my life. There will always be a dog in my house, that’s for sure.
As a young girl, I was deeply disturbed by animal cruelty and wanted to help animals in any way I could. While my career turned towards the legal field, I always wanted to make an impact helping animals who have been let down by humans. While living in California, I took the brave step to speak at a Senate committee hearing in support of an assembly bill introduced to make it illegal to sell puppy mill dogs throughout all of California. That bill passed and many states are following in those footsteps.
In 2015, I uniquely merged my two passions together after discovering National Mill Dog Rescue (“NMDR”) located in Peyton, Colorado. This organization grabbed my heart! After learning about them and visiting/volunteering at their facility, I was all in and wanted to help support their mission and the dogs who needed help. I made the decision to begin selling my crocheted items and donate all the profits to National Mill Dog Rescue. NMDR rescues dogs directly from the cruel industry of commercial breeding in puppy mills, provides all necessary medical attention and rehomes them with forever families. NMDR has rescued over 16,000 dogs to date.
I continue to be astounded by their efforts which I can now proudly say that through the sale of my crocheted and knitted items in 2021, I was able to help fund the rescue of 45 dogs from puppy mills. This was a dream come true for me. I even got to name the dogs! I am just returning from Colorado where I was able to visit and volunteer and cuddle as many dogs as I possibly could.
What does your work aim to say? Do you want to bring a smile to someone’s face or add to someone’s home decor?
I hope my items advocate that anything handmade is a special item. It is my hope people love my items as much as I love creating them. I believe many people are touched by knowing their purchase helps a rescued dog.
Who are your biggest influences?
My mother is my biggest influence; having watched her knit or crochet everything from house slippers and mittens to complicated Irish knit sweaters. I am motivated by the many dogs sitting in kennels awaiting adoption and all the dogs who patiently wait for their turn to be rescued from their puppy mill cage.
Where is your workspace?
With big windows overlooking my garden at my beach cottage, my home office is also my favorite place to crochet. After my full-time paralegal workday, you will often find me in my favorite gliding rocking chair in front of my electric fireplace crocheting while listening to an audiobook well into the wee morning hours.
Do you have a favorite piece?
I love to crochet all kinds of items. It would be difficult to choose one specific piece as my favorite. Interestingly, it is my catnip toys that seem to be a customer favorite. I crocheted and sold nearly 100 catnip octopus toys in 2021. It is sweet that cats are helping dogs. It’s a win-win.
Additionally, my little green aliens sell out every time I bring them into the shoppe. I love creating baby items and stuffed toys. As the weather turns colder, I find myself crocheting a lot of afghans and throw blankets.
Please stop in and see our featured artist and 40+ other local vendors! Located at 228 4th Ave. S Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250. Open everyday 12:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Much Love,
Ame Cowan
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Jacksonville native, local artist/art lover who has found her voice through promoting other local artists. Avid traveler but my heart and soul lies within the First Coast.
