Daily Inspiration: Meet April Lee

Today we’d like to introduce you to April Lee

Hi April, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Hi! Thank you so much for this opportunity to share my story. I am April Lee a proud North Carolinian, born and raised in Raleigh, NC and now resides in Charlotte, NC where I am a mother, wife, educator, and fiber artist. I was introduced to Latch hooking when she was 15 years old, after my mother took me to a local Michael’s and I instantly fell in love with the craft. Over the years I would make custom wall hangings for my friends and family. Fast forward to 2020, I wanted to learn a new skill during the pandemic. After months of searching I found locker hooking and the rest was history. Arts and crafts has always been an important way for me to practice mindfulness and emotional regulation. My passion for the arts and mental wellness led to the launch Latched By Lee in 2021 shortly after the birth of my first child.

Becoming a new mother inspired a vision to spread love and joy to others through the experience of crafting and connection to people. Since launching, Latched By Lee has been featured in numerous events, workshops, and initiatives throughout Charlotte. Such as vending at Craft Fests, being a member of the Creative Entrepreneur Initiative by Charlotte is Creative, teaching crafting classes, being featured on Creative Mornings a segment on WBTV’s QC life morning show and being a spotlight artist at an art auction for The Center for Community Transitions fundraiser at the Mint Museum in uptown Charlotte where 100% of my art designs were sold. Latched By Lee LLC, is dedicated to growing the art community and creating welcoming spaces for people to express themselves freely.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I’ am a firm believer that anything worth having takes hard work, and having your own small business is no exception. Moving from Raleigh to Charlotte, I anticipated running into a some struggles breaking into the creative scene. I knew if I wanted to be successful I had to get out of my comfort zone, network with fellow artists and make sound connections. I accepted the challenge of being a new fiber artist who didn’t quite fit the norm of crochet or knitting, as a way to bring awareness to all the different types of textile/fiber art. I hope this business journey keeps presenting me with ways to learn and grow.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Latched By Lee, LLC, a is custom fiber art business that specializes in one of a kind art pieces using various types of textiles such as yarn, ribbon, and fabric, just to name a few. Every item is custom and handmade using the latch or locker hook technique. We specialize in creating unique art experiences that resonate and allow people to make it their own. At our classes and workshops you learn the different latch and locker hook techniques to make your own art piece, all while building connection with others. Our top selling product are our custom locker hook earrings that are light weight, unique and fashionable. These earrings are great gifts for your friends and family or for your own personal collection. One of the services that I’m most proud of are the commissioned pieces I do for various businesses, artists, family and friends. I have the pleasure of working with clients to bring their creative expression to life by crafting their logo or art vision in my medium. These unique art pieces bring joy and connection to my community which is the mission of Latched By Lee, LLC.

Who else deserves credit in your story?
Community is everything, and without it the success of Latched By Lee, LLC would not be possible. Throughout my journey I have had a plethora of supporters, mentors, and advocates who have not only helped build my business but have encouraged me along the way. My husband for starters has been my biggest supporter, he has been there since the beginning when Latched By Lee was just an idea. He helps set up and break down my vending displays, cheers me on when things get hard, and pushes me to be better every day. My family and friends have also been a huge help during this journey. I could not have done it without them.

The next set of advocates I have the pleasure of knowing are the crafters and creators at We Craft Clt and Charlotte is Creative. We Craft Clt is a local fiber craft guild in the Charlotte area and is the group that offered me my first locker hook class opportunity. The class was a sold out success and really gave me the confidence I needed to grow Latched By Lee.
Charlotte is Creative is local non-profit organization that helps bring artists and businesses together for job opportunities, connection, and collaboration. I was selected to be apart of their Creative Entrepreneur Initiative which is a 10 week program learning about the foundational principals of running a small business. I learned so much in this program from networking to bookkeeping, to marketing and more. The real impact of this program is through the connections you make with other artists and experts in the Charlotte community. The people I met in this program not only support Latched By Lee, but they support me as a friend. The program is invaluable and I will always cherish this experience.

Last but certainly not least is my mentor Jacinda Scarborough, the owner of 923 Fabrics and Crafts, a Black Woman owned arts and craft store in the Charlotte area. I met Jacinda at We Craft Clt’s annual craft fest as she was doing a quilting demo with her daughter. We started talking and I shared with her that I’m a new mom and thinking about getting my business out into the community. Without knowing me for long, Jacinda started giving me tips on how to get started, what to look out for, but most importantly the words she spoke into me gave Latched By Lee, LLC life. She has motivated and inspired me to go for it and to have fun while on this journey. Since then we have collaborated on workshops, events, and promotion. I resonated with Jacinda as she herself is a mother and has had to overcome obstacles to gain the success that she has today. I thank Jacinda for always supporting me and my dreams.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.latchedbylee.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/latchedxlee?igsh=MTQ1MmRjODJ5azgxNA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/15829V6ygN/?mibextid=wwXIfr