Hello and Welcome!
I’m so glad our paths have crossed! My name is Jennifer, but I also go by Jen, so take your pick, I’ll answer to both.
I imagine that you’ve landed here because, like me, your soul is drawn to delectable yarns with all their tints, tones, shades, and hues. The color, the texture, the luxury! Perhaps it’s the unquenchable desire to have yarn gliding through the fingers of one hand while the other hand almost mechanically holds your hook and creates?!! Or perhaps still, the pleasure of taking, what some would call a simple piece of string, and turning it into tangible items of function, love, and beauty.
If this describes you, or you so very much wish that it did, then you’re in the right place! Everyone is welcome here! 🙂
The goal here at Jen Hayes Creations is to help you along your crochet journey by providing patterns and tutorials that spark your imagination and creativity. I want you to make crochet pieces that you’ll want to both cherish and share. I’m excited to be doing it together!
I’ll provide patterns (with a guaranteed heavy emphasis on amigurumi) along with design tips and tutorials as quickly as my maker hands can get them to you (figure on at least once a month). You’ll provide the yarn, tools, and time to create! Let’s work together as we learn to handcraft a home, life, and family we love one stitch at a time!
Let’s Keep in Touch!
The best way to always be in the loop about new patterns, techniques, tutorials, giveaways, and crafty fun is to subscribe to the newsletter! Thanks for your support!
If you ever have any questions or suggestions you can reach out to me HERE. I’m always glad to help.
I’d also love to connect with you on social media! You can find me on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. You can share your makes with me by tagging @jenhayescreations and using the hashtag #jenhayescreations. Let’s chat soon!
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Looking for more about who I am? Is there something specific you would like to know? I’ll give you an overview. Read as little, or as much as you’d like. If you have any questions, please ask!
I’m a Wife
Andrew and I were married in November 2004. We initially met in the Czech Republic where we both served as missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We continued to be friends when we both got home and as time passed, as he says, “he got me into a situation where he knew I couldn’t say no,” and he proposed.
We went to see a play at a local playhouse together and before the play began I was surprised to find myself called up on stage with Andrew playing his guitar and singing in front of the audience. He then proposed. As you can see, his plan worked. I said, “Yes!” We’ve been best friends ever since. He’s honestly the very best and my biggest supporter!
I’m a Mom
This is a title I treasure. How many children do I have? This question in the past has caused me to pause, but now I answer, “We’ve had four.” Strangers usually don’t ask more. Friends usually want to know more, and we’re friends, right?!! In May 2006, our little Gwen came into the world two months early and feet first. She was as feisty as ever, all 3 pounds 7 ounces of her. We lived at the NICU for about a month and brought her home at a whopping 4 pounds!
As time went on, we noticed red flags in her behavior. She didn’t respond to noise and her eyes bounced all over the place. Monts and many doctors later we found out that Gwen was deafblind. This explained a lot. With genetic testing, we also learned that she had a rare genetic disorder, a Peroxisome Biogenesis Disorder in the Zellweger Spectrum Disorders (PBD-ZSD). About this time we also discovered that we were expecting our second child. Life changed for us in a hurry!
Aniah was born in October 2007, unaffected by the disorder. Life was beautiful and crazy and we learned a ton, some because we wanted to and some because we had to.
In 2009 we were once again expecting! Several months into this pregnancy we lost our Gwen. She was three years old and had outlived the doctor’s estimations by two years. She went back to heaven on February 25, 2010.
In July 2010, our Isabelle entered the world. Our little family continued to grow and in July 2012, our William was born. As soon as he came out we knew that he was a PBD boy, which was later confirmed with genetic testing. This brought us once again into the world of deafblindness and PBD-ZSD related issues. He continues to do well considering his condition and is surpassing what his sister was able to do in her short lifetime.
My honored title of mom reaches heaven, exists on earth, branches into the areas of special needs and deafblindness, and most importantly is wrapped around my babies wherever they may be, now or in the future.
I’m a Crafter
Boy, am I ever! You name it, I’ve probably at least dabbled in it or would be interested in doing so. Some of my more loved crafts outside of crochet are polymer clay, making jewelry, sewing, quilting, embroidery, and papercrafts. I’m in the process of learning to knit and am loving that too. On the blog, I’ll be sharing everything I know about crochet to help you on your journey and perhaps help you learn to design some pieces of your own if you wish!
I think this covers most of the big stuff you might want to know about me!
Now for some of those little quirky or not-so-quirky things that make me who I am.
I’m an Extroverted Introvert
I love meeting new people, but am honestly a bit of an introvert. My preference is for smaller groups where I can really get to know someone. I enjoy my social activities but also crave a good amount of personal time, which I most often use to create, write in my journal, take a good long walk outdoors, or read a good book. A nice healthy balance feels best! I am not a fan of small talk. In fact, I’m quite horrible at it.
I’m a Happy Budget Nerd
I’m a self-professed happy budget nerd! I love to talk (for hours) on the beauty of budgeting, and I have! I really think the world would be a happier place if we could all learn that budget is not the bad word it’s made out to be. If you don’t have a budget you really ought to get one. They’re free and will change your world! My budget has totally made buying more yarn possible and we both know that that’s a happy thing!
I’m a Journaler
I have volumes of journals that start from before I was born (thanks Mom). I love a good journal writing session, but don’t always write daily. It’s important for me to write down the things that I’m experiencing, as I’m experiencing them because heaven knows I will forget if I don’t.
My favorite journals are sketchbooks because I prefer not to have lines when writing.
I also record every pattern attempt that I make when designing. This helps to ensure that I can recreate my designs and offer patterns for you! For this, I like to use school composition books (regularly lined and graphed). They come in such fun colors and designs! Update: I now type my pattern out as I go because it saves time and allows me to get them out into the world faster!
I’m a Reader
I love reading. I believe that reading is the door to greater appreciation, understanding, and insight. As life has gotten busier I’ve found that utilizing audio books as well as physical books has been life-changing. I’m always reading or listening to at least two books. Mystery, nonfiction, and historical fiction are some of my favorites.
I also have an extensive collection of craft books. Stitch dictionaries and amigurumi books are definite favorites.
I’m a Walker, Sometimes a Runner
My little guy requires constant movement or he bangs his head so we move A LOT. I don’t typically do races but I love the joy of being outdoors, enjoying my surroundings, and listening to audiobooks and podcasts.
I’m Technologically Challenged
I have a lot to learn when it comes to the world of technology, social media, photography, uploading, downloading, and all that fun computer stuff. My blog is going to help me improve and overcome this obstacle. I appreciate your patience and encouragement as I’m learning.
I’m a Student (past and present)
- Ricks College 1999-2001 Associates in Arts and Sciences
- Idaho State University 2001-2002
- Mission in the Czech Republic 2002-2004
- Idaho State University 2004-2005 Bachelors in Social Work
- Utah State University 2008-2009 Master of Education in Communicative Disorders and Deaf Education (My emphasis being in Early Intervention for the Deafblind)
- I continue to look for and attend classes of interest related to my various fields. I particularly enjoy advocating in the field of deafblindness. You’ll also find me attending classes and learning techniques and skills related to my beloved crafting hobbies and business.
I Love a Bargain
I love the words sale, reduced, clearance, discount, and free. I love rummage sales, second-hand stores, and searching for unique items. However, I have learned in life that searching for quality and paying a bit more is worth it on the things that matter, and that some things despite the bargain, aren’t worth the cost.
Handmade items are definitely the highest on my so worth the cost list! Support the makers and designers you love!
I Love Organization
I love it when everything has a place and is contained within a space (my personal little mantra). However, things realistically aren’t always this way. My goal is that my home is presentable most of the time and lived in all of the time. My office is typically “organized chaos” full of works in progress, things to be photographed, stacks of yarn I’m using, and notebooks full of notes and ideas. As life has progressed I have embraced more and more of the “lived in” look.
I Like Food
My preference is plant-based, homegrown, and made from scratch for the most part. I also enjoy experimenting with and creating with food. Sourdough is a new favorite!
Favorite Color
I love color. I struggle to choose just one favorite, but if you think fall, those are my most favorite colors, as well as my favorite season.
I’m Eclectic
I love color, texture, pattern and design. There is just something magical about using these components to pull various items together to make “a match” that is absolutely thrilling to me.
I Love Kindness
I believe that acts of kindness, large and small, change the world. My biggest heroes are ordinary people doing ordinary things in extraordinary ways!
I Love Life
I believe that life is meant to be lived, loved, and appreciated. Life throws us curve balls sometimes and we find ourselves walking a little wounded, but there is still so much in life to be celebrated and enjoyed every day!
I’m a Blogger
I’m excited about this one! While this is just a recently acquired title for me, it’s one that I’ve aspired to for awhile now. I’ve followed and appreciated many other bloggers over the years, and it feels like the right time in my life to collaborate with others and share with the world the talents and information that I’ve been blessed with! Along with this, I’m stoked to learn more about and from my readers! Please don’t hesitate to reach out, share, and let me know what I can do for you!
Wow! If you’ve read all the way to here then you truly are a friend worth having! 🙂 Thanks again for stopping by! I look forward to getting to know you more too!
~Jen
Family Photo Credit: Danielle Winona