Say hello to Haylee @HaylsArt - our new Ribblr of the Week and the designer behind HayIsArt 
Tell us a little about yourself:
Hellooo!! My name is Haylee, aka HaylsArt! I began crocheting in 2021, a little while before my laparoscopic surgery for Endometriosis. It started as a way to pass the time while I was stuck in bed from my chronic illnesses, but it very quickly became an obsession! I just recently graduated from my Advanced Diploma of Graphic Design & I work as a freelance graphic designer, while also running my crochet business. I also work part time at a craft store (Kaisercraft), which is so amazing & I love it! In my free time, when I’m not crocheting or working, I love to play games on my PC (Baldur’s Gate 3 is my current obsession) and on Switch (Stardew Valley forever)!
When did you start crafting and how?
I’ve always been crafty, I can’t remember a time where I wasn’t. It was always something different through the years, I’ve probably done every kind of well-known craft possible! I didn’t start crochet until I was about 22, so 4 years ago! I began my crochet journey after I was spending 90% of my time bedridden from my chronic illnesses, and I needed something to pass the time until I could have surgery to temporarily relieve some of the symptoms.
How did you start designing?
I started designing pretty quickly into the crochet learning process – as soon as I understood the basics, I was straight into it! I started with the mini axolotl keyring (available in my shop) and that was a huge hit! I think my next was a ‘chonky dragon desk buddy’ which wasn’t a huge hit, but I still love him all the same hehe. I love designing because it still, even 3 years into doing this, baffles me that I can take a piece of string (yarn) and form it into this adorable 3D form that I made up in my head. It’s insane!!
Do you have a favorite craft type and if so - why?
This is probably the answer of most on here, but definitely crochet!! I love so many other crafts too – embroidery, punch needling, sewing, knitting, etc. but crochet will always be my ultimate one true love, it just feels right when I do it. Like, this is what I’m supposed to be doing, you know? It’s a great feeling!
What was the most memorable project you worked on?
Oof DEFINITELY the big Appa I pattern tested for @mochibmakes on Instagram. He is HUUUGE and took me an entire month to complete him while working on him every single day – I worked so hard that I ended up hurting my wrists really badly & I couldn’t crochet anymore for months, and I was stuck with a wrist brace on both wrists. It was awful! Please learn from me & take breaks, it’s not worth the pain! I still get flare ups of this wrist pain if I crochet for a little too long. even though that was 2 years ago now. Regardless, the big Appa was an incredible project & I never ended up selling him because my partner fell in love with him & wouldn’t let me hahaha!
What is your usual process for designing?
I design as I make, usually. Sometimes I’ll draw up what the design will look like first, just like a rough sketch in the colours I’m planning to do it in, but most of the time I just wing it & hope for the best.
What inspires you to create?
Everything! Other designers too of course, but honestly everything around me. The shows I watch on TV, the music I listen to, the games I play, the nature and wildlife outside, everything!
What are you currently working on? Be honest - how many WIP do you have right now?
Don’t expose me!! Kidding – um. A lot. To name just a few, I have a partially finished Flower Dragon (pattern by Sleek Grace on Ribblr), 3 different blankets, I have a head of a Wooper that I was working on designing like a year ago, a barely started pillow pattern that I’ll be doing cross-stitch on, and I have three granny squares done of a double-bed sized blanket that I’m planning on gifting in a few months.. I need to get my butt moving!
Which of your makes/designs are you most proud of? Share a picture!
Probably my Baby Appa pattern! He’s a lil guy, but so so cute and cuddly. I haven’t released the pattern yet, but I’m working on it, so keep your eyes peeled for a pattern test hopefully soon!
Any favorite song, book or movie you would like to recommend?
Oooo I’ve just gotten back into reading again recently, after a friend recommended (forced) A Court of Thorns & Roses by Sarah J Maas to me – which was amazing, by the way! I’m currently reading her other series, Throne of Glass, and it is beyond incredible. I want to crochet all of the characters so badly, but I haven’t attempted any humanoid crochet things yet & I’m a little too scared to.
Share a funny story that happened to your recently!
This is probably more wholesome than funny, but I recently met a bird (A pink galah!) that my friend was temporarily looking after. As soon as the bird saw me, he instantly just wanted to be with me and no one else – we tried to get him to go on other people’s shoulders/arms but he refused and cuddled up to me the whole time. It was so cute!! Then, as we were leaving, he threw the biggest tantrum I’ve ever seen a bird throw, because he didn’t want me to leave. It was like we were instantly bonded, it was crazy!
What is your favorite feature on Ribblr?
Does the community area count as a feature? I absolutely love the fact that you can connect with the crafting community from all over the world directly through Ribblr, I think it’s amazing! Growing up, I didn’t know a lot of other people as obsessed with creating and crafting as I was, so it’s really nice to have access to such a large community of creatives!
Where can people find you online?
I’m only really active on Instagram! My Instagram is @hayleejadeart!
A shoutout to your favorite designers on Ribblr !
Some favorites are:
@crochetedbyel – Strawberry Creature Pattern
@HELLOhappy – Froggy Crossbody Bag
@CritterStitch – Flower Sprite Pattern
Thanks so much for being here Haylee, it was a pleasure to read about you!
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And thank you so incredibly much to Ribblr for featuring me this week, I’m so excited to be a part of such an incredible community 
