Today we’d like to introduce you to Grace Talavera.
Hi Grace, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I’ve been crocheting since I was seven and knitting since I was about fifteen. It’s always been more than a hobby for me—it’s relaxing, therapeutic, and a way to express myself. I first learned from a family member and later honed my skills at a local yarn shop.
In 2020, during COVID, I decided to pursue my Craft Yarn Council certification to become an instructor. I was looking for community, but I often found myself feeling out of place in the shops I visited. Many were filled with people much older than me, and the atmosphere reinforced the stereotype that yarn crafts are only for grandmothers—which didn’t reflect me or the younger makers I saw online. On top of that, the jargon around yarn types and techniques felt intimidating, and no one seemed interested in explaining it in an approachable way.
That’s when it clicked: if I couldn’t find the kind of welcoming, inspiring yarn community I was looking for, maybe I needed to create it. The idea for my shop came quickly, and within about six weeks I went from concept to signing a lease, connecting with vendors, and opening the doors
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not been a smooth road — and I wouldn’t trade that for anything. From the beginning, Craftique Studio has been very much a family effort. My husband has been by my side through every late night, every challenge, and every big leap forward — and that support has been invaluable. We have treated this as a growth-mindset journey because almost everything about running a yarn shop was new to us. I felt I had to become the expert for my customers, so I dove into books, online articles, and the Craft Yarn Council resources to learn about suppliers, yarn weights, and inventory choices.
What gave me confidence was my background. I hold an MBA in Business Administration and Marketing, and my husband was a former Sales Manager, together we have been in the corporate world for over 25 years combined. That experience gave me the foundation to take on the challenge of starting a retail business, but it didn’t make it easy.
One of the hardest realities was the budget. You open a retail shop with limited capital and you simply don’t know which yarns or products will click with customers. We had to make educated bets on inventory — sometimes those bets paid off, sometimes they didn’t — and learning that pattern took time.
On top of the learning curve, our life was full. We were still working full-time jobs in tech, and raising two small kids (they were six and five when we launched). Juggling a corporate career, family life, and a brand-new business tested everything — time, energy, and patience. For the first year we had essentially no days off: we were working corporate jobs Monday through Friday, and opening the shop Tuesday through Sunday. No vacations, no weekends to decompress. There were moments when I honestly didn’t know how I was keeping everything afloat, but I pushed through because it mattered to us.
I’m a bit of a perfectionist, so I wanted the store to look and feel exactly as I envisioned. That added pressure — and stress — because I cared deeply about every detail. The inauguration felt like proof that the hard work was worth it: from the moment I announced the opening, people called, knocked on the door, and showed up. The grand opening was a success, even though my initial inventory was embarrassingly small. Looking back at those early photos of the shelves makes me laugh — and feel so grateful that people returned anyway.
Vendor relationships and figuring out what works (and what doesn’t) have been ongoing learning curves. There’s still a lot to learn about trends, ordering cycles, and what sparks excitement in my community. What kept me going was listening: I spent time hearing what my customers wanted and letting that feedback guide decisions.
Most importantly, the community made the difference. From day one people were kind, inclusive, and encouraging. Many customers have become friends and family to us — that sense of belonging has been the most rewarding outcome. Running this shop has been an act of love: challenging, exhausting, and full of late nights — but also incredibly fulfilling. The first year was brutal, but the growth, the people, and the joy of building something that truly welcomes others have made every obstacle worth it.
We’ve been impressed with Craftique Studio, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
At Craftique Studio, we specialize in fiber arts, yarns, and inspiration — but at the heart of everything we do is community. Whether you knit, crochet, weave, felt, spin, embroider, or even explore crafts like diamond painting, you’ll find a welcoming home here.
We’re known for two things above all: our community and our customer service. We create an atmosphere where everyone feels welcome, no matter where they are in their crafting journey. If it’s your very first time walking into a yarn store and you don’t understand terms like “DK” or “fingering,” we’ll take the time to explain it in plain language. We “teach civilian to civilians” — no jargon, no judgment, just encouragement and care.
Education is a huge part of what we do. We offer group workshops, one-on-one private lessons, and skill-building classes that meet you where you are. Because of my background in learning and development, I’ve created a teaching framework that all of our instructors follow, ensuring a consistent and supportive learning experience every time.
What sets Craftique Studio apart is how personal and intentional everything is. My role as shop owner isn’t just to stock shelves — it’s to curate. I meet with vendors from around the world and carefully select what makes it into the shop. We feature an incredible lineup of yarns, from curated hand-dyed collections to being the south Texas flagship store for Circulo Yarns, as well as supporting local makers. We’re also proud to carry our own in-house hand-dyed brand, Morpholana, which I dye myself. And one of my rules has become a calling card: “If it’s not soft, I don’t want it.” Every yarn we bring in has to be something that feels as beautiful as it looks.
But our offerings go beyond the yarn. What truly sets us apart is the sense of connection. We host weekly gatherings where makers can come together, share their projects, and enjoy each other’s company. Our calendar includes:
• Twilight Knits on Thursdays, 5–7 pm
• Maker Circle on Saturdays, 10 am–12 pm each Saturday of the month a different theme including Charity
• Sit & Knit / Brews & Knits on Saturdays, 2–6 pm
• Cafecito y Lana on Tuesdays, 3:30–5:30 pm — a Spanish-speaking group created by and for our Latin community.
These gatherings reflect what we’re most proud of: a community that is inclusive, encouraging, and genuinely joyful. Customers have become friends, and friends have become family.
What I want readers to know is this: Craftique Studio isn’t just a yarn shop. It’s a place to learn, to be inspired, to connect, and to feel completely at home in your creativity.
Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
One of my favorite childhood memories is when I first learned how to crochet. I was with my aunt on what felt like a picnic day, and she was patiently showing me the stitches. I remember the exact moment it “clicked” and I was able to make the stitches on my own. It felt incredible — like I had unlocked this new ability to create something with my own hands. That sense of pride and joy has stayed with me ever since, and it’s part of what makes crochet so special to me today.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://CraftiqueStudio.shop
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/craftiquestudiotx?igsh=MTdzejlkZXI3Y3o2eQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1DCGHMbjbX/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Image Credits
Grace, and Craftique Studio Community
