Welcome!

I've always been into art and crafts & I love learning new things. I'm often juggling multiple hobbies at a time and it would inevitably lead me to start new projects and small businesses throughout the years.

My first main craft began after I stumbled on the website Craftster many years ago. I became interested in crochet and the Japanese amigurumi style. I spent a couple years experimenting with stitches and materials to design my own plush. In 2009, I started an Etsy shop called Adorably Kawaii to share my handmade amigurumi creations and patterns.

After a few years of constantly making amigurumi, I developed carpal tunnel, tendonitis, and a weird cyst in my wrist. I got burned out and forced myself to take a break from crocheting for over a year.  I started to focus on selling my patterns and sometimes I would make quick items to make for fun such as Blythe doll accessories.

For the most part, I had to switch my focus on a new hobby to help me heal. I believe during this time, I was doing some freelance graphic design and web design work. Or I was possibly addicted to a couple of MMORPG games. (cough Ragnarok Online and FlyFF)

And of course when I came back to the shop ready to make plush again, the market had changed a bit and it was hard to just get right back into it with even more competition on Etsy. I started to do various crafts at this time such as jewelry making, polymer clay, spinning yarn, and dying yarn to keep myself busy during the slow business days.

In 2013, I became inspired to make bohemian style crochet clothing as well as bead & wire wrapped jewelry. Shortly after I designed a few things, I started another Etsy shop called Whimsy Wisteria where I could separate these from my handmade toys.

By 2017, it became more difficult to manage two different Etsy shops so I decided to just merge them into Amanda Maciel Patterns. So now it is a mix of my amigurumi and clothes patterns along with various accessories.

Now my main project is Zinnia Moon, my new online boutique. I decided to make a non-Etsy shop where I could make things sometimes but also sell other people's creations for them. I had always admired shops like Shana Logic and Fred Flare (both are closed, the former only recently though) and had wanted to make my own version.

I know how important it is to support independent artists and I like to help in any way I can. I hope this shop can introduce people to unique goodies and artists they've never seen before. In this blog, I'll be posting unique finds, inspiration, tips for running a small business, and more!