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Through Devonne Hill to Beyond

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It is National Crafting Month, and while I myself have no talent for using my hands with sewing needles or crochet hooks, I so admire the people in my family who are talented crafters. In this blog, I am introducing everyone to my niece Devonne Hill, who for quite some time has shared her beautiful knitted and hand-sewn items with family, friends, and even on social media through YouTube and an online store.

Enjoy this time with a dynamic crafter in my family.

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A Crafting Legacy Continues

Through Devonne Hill to Beyond

Debra: I just completed my new book, Today and Forever: A Narrative Coloring Book. It focuses on the ability of creating art to aid in healing, empowerment, and resilience. I combined the mediums of coloring and storytelling. As a crafter, I see you not only creating practical items through your work with yarns and fabrics but you are also involved in a process of bringing joy, hope, and love to others. In this conversation, we would love to dive into the emotional connection you have with your crafting: the empowerment and hope it gives to you and to those who view and receive your work.

So, if someone asked you, “Why are you a craft artisan? Why do you do what you do?” How would you respond? What does crafting mean to you? 

Devonne: I am a craft artisan because I enjoy creating tangible pieces of creativity for myself and others to enjoy. But I also understand that everything created in physical space takes up space on this planet, and that is a huge responsibility. As humans, our bodies are finite and decompose over time, but depending on the craft medium used by the artisan, it may last in physical reality for a long time, therefore, eco-friendly and cruelty-free fiber mediums are a must. For me, crafting is a way to decompress from the challenges, difficulties, and stresses of life. During our lifetime, some years can be more complex and layered than others, and having a creative outlet can assist a person during times of difficulties.

• Studies show that crafting, when used by occupational therapists, can help people dealing with PTSD
• Crafting can put the crafter into a meditative state, thereby reducing cortisol levels
• It can act as a natural antidepressant by stimulating dopamine production
• If the crafter participates in social crafting activities it offers a sense of belonging in a community setting.

Debra: What medium of crafting do you most prefer, and why? 

Devonne: I enjoy many various crafting mediums but my favorite is fiber arts. I enjoy knitting and crocheting as my crafts of choice. From the sourcing of eco-friendly, cruelty-free yarn to the design process of a piece, to the production of the design, to the actual completion of the item. The entire process reminds me of the journey that a caterpillar takes to become a butterfly. After the butterfly hatches it goes on to have so many adventures and interactions. The fiber used in the making of a craft item can have an interesting beginning and end.

Debra: How did you first begin to get involved with the crafting world? 

Devonne: My Grandmother, who raised me, exposed me to sewing. She made beautiful clothes for her children out of financial necessity. I thought it was so magical that she could place fabric on a machine and create garments. But as a little kid, the sewing machine was intimidating for me until I was taught how to use it properly. I recall a trip my Grandmother and I took to G.C. Murphy’s, located in Southside Plaza, when I was 5 years old. She needed to do a bit of shopping and I wandered off and found a “toy” on clearance. It was a Barbie doll that contained yarn, a small circular loom, a plastic needle, and instructions. I was only 5 years old, but I could read well.

So, I recall reading and re-reading those instructions to understand the process to create my Barbie a knitted dress. After that, I was hooked and needed to learn more about knitting and crocheting. My Grandmother then showed me a few scarfs that she knitted. As a 5-year-old I thought it was so magical that she could make a beautiful and functional scarf with a ball of yarn and knitting needles. She set me free with a ball of yarn, knitting needles, and a little magazine. And, of course, she was my biggest cheerleader in my journey. I associate fiber arts with the love, patience, kindness, and emotional safety that she was able to provide for me as a child.

Debra: I knew your grandmother and your story brought a beautiful and endearing picture of you and her together as she passed onto you the art of knitting. Didn’t you then go on to do something in fashion design? 

Devonne: Before becoming a Clinical Pharmacist and helping patients manage their health, I studied Fashion Design at VCU. I graduated from their program in 2000 with a BFA and a specialization in Fashion Design. I then went to work in NYC for a year at a small sweater-wear company called Chandail Fashions. The company that I worked for produced knitwear for larger fashion companies like Victoria’s Secret Catalog, Ann Klein, and Tahari clothing brands. I really enjoyed the life lessons and experiences that I had in New York. But after a year of fast-paced living and not making a very good wage, I realized that I needed a career change and fast. So I spent the next few years working towards completing the prerequisites I needed to gain entry into pharmacy school.

Debra: I know that you’re a busy person: a pharmacist, a wife, and a mother. How do you even find time to be an artisan as well? 

Devonne: I make lists for myself and put alerts on my phone. I have alerts for everything. My phone really helps me to stay on task and not miss important appointments and deadlines. My husband and older kids also chip in when they can and keep an eye on my 7- and 5-year-olds if I need to knock out a project. Also, the portability of fiber arts allows for more time exposure to your project. I can knit or crochet in traffic, while waiting for an appointment, while waiting for coffee, etc. I even work on projects during my lunch break. My motto is that “Craft Time Is All The Time”.

Debra: Yes, I understand that. I feel the same way about songwriting! Is there a certain gift or item that had special meaning to you in contributing to your growth? 

Devonne: When I was younger my Grandmother had the coziest, most functional sweaters that just felt like a warm hug. I would often raid her closet for sweaters to wear once I was closer to her clothing size. She never protested and just let me enjoy her amazing old lady sweaters and cardigans. Her closet was a magical place for me because everything smelled like her, and every item was guaranteed comfort. So, what I’ve noticed in my current designs is that comfort is key. If the item isn’t comfortable, it won’t work, and I will unravel it completely and start over.

Debra: That is so sweet! I have heard many artisans say that they are perfectionists in that way, that they’ll start over if even one stitch is wrong.

Devonne: Oh yeah, I’m working on designing a hat for a yarn supplier Francis Cestari, and his wool and yarn business, and midway through working on it, I realized I wasn’t happy with it and unraveled the whole thing to begin again!

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Debra: What kind of things does your work go toward? Do you donate your crafts and crafting to charity?

Devonne: I don’t currently donate my work to any specific charities. But I donate pieces to humans that I interact with or cross paths with. Where I live in Montana, we have long winters lasting about 6 months out of the year. During those 6 months, it gets cold and sometimes gloomy. I make lots of fun, vibrantly colored hats, baby items, scarves, and other accessories. I will gift those items in a second to someone in need. I also enjoy gifting shawls/scarves to people going through a tough time. I’m also really big on gifting baby blankets. I believe that every baby born deserves a handmade blanket and hat.

Debra: Can your items be purchased as well?

Devonne: Yes! I have an online store, https://someonesmom.company.site

Debra: We know you do not just do this for yourself, but in your YouTube, you are teaching others how to engage with this as well. How is that going for you? 

Devonne: YouTube is a great way to reach large amounts of people and provide free content. I really enjoy using YouTube as a medium to reach and teach people various techniques. I like using YouTube shorts because the attention span of most people nowadays is very short. So, as a crafter, I’m trying to adapt techniques that I’ve learned to 30-second bites of time. It’s an interesting challenge but I’m sure it’s helping someone.

Debra: What kind of feedback have you gotten from your viewers/followers? 

Devonne: In viewing my analytics on YouTube the viewers definitely enjoy the content. The actual technique that I’m sharing will appeal to certain demographics in certain countries. I find that so interesting. I have a few videos of me working on my flatbed knitting machine and men seem to gravitate more to the knitting machine. In comparison, women seem to enjoy the videos that I post of hand-knitting or crocheting. I love studying the analytics of a video a few days after posting.

Debra: What does it mean to you, to be carrying this sort of legacy of crafting from your Grandmother, and how do you wish to see it move forward?

Devonne: It is such a great honor to continue the legacy of crafting that was shared with me by my Grandmother. I really envision our familial ancestors crafting out of necessity and it is such an honor to continue that process with them. The continuity of crafting and creative expression within family lineage is timeless. It often feels as if the ancestors are with me while I’m creating and offering their advice or suggestions.

Debra: How can people find your work or contact you? 

Devonne: I have a store on Ecwid called someonesmom.company.site. Techniques and processes can be viewed on YouTube at SomeonesMom406. To contact me directly, I can be reached at someonesmom29@gmail.com.

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Special Thanks to Elizabeth Baber and Dr. Shakira for all that you do to make it happen.

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