Life & Work with Dorian Cross

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dorian Cross.

Hi Dorian, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I have always been a crafty and creative person. I thought I would end up as an Interior Designer, but the cards didn’t quite line up that way. My mother sat my brother and me down one day about 25 years ago and taught us the basics of crochet. I still remember the first crochet chain I made. I hated making them then AND now! lol. But great crochet creations all begin with that first chain. A spark was made the moment I picked up that crochet hook and it still burns today.

After learning the basics, I bought a book and taught myself advanced techniques. Everything else has been learned through trial and error, much like most acquired skills in life. I didn’t get into selling my crochet items as a small business until I moved to Raleigh. Back in 2014, I packed up everything I owned, left everyone I loved and knew in the DC area and moved with my then 10-year-old daughter. As a single parent, it is a struggle to maintain a family all on your own. However, I was determined to make a better life for her and me. It ended up being the single best decision I have ever made. My small business journey started when I begin creating crochet jewelry. After getting tons of compliments and suggestions to start selling my items, dMarie Designs was brought into fruition! I opened my online Etsy shop, then eventually ventured into participating in local craft events. Being out in the community and sharing my craft with others is a true passion of mine, and I love every minute of it! My next goal for the business is to start selling the crochet patterns I’ve personally designed. I’m very excited for this next chapter!

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I would be afraid if the road was smooth. You don’t achieve anything great without going through and around some obstacles. Moving to a new city as a single parent and not knowing a soul was a struggle at first. The very first year I moved here, I almost moved back several times. However, I stuck it out and met some amazing friends. My very first craft show, I made a profit of $25. Yes, you read that correctly… Twenty Five whole dollars!! And most of the purchases were made by my girlfriend! So after crying for two weeks straight, I wiped the tears and began to strategize and restructure my entire business. Once I started researching trends and paying close attention to what shoppers were looking for, my sales improved. That very next year, at the same show, my net profit increased almost $700!

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Well, dMarie Designs is a custom, handmade crochet shop specializing in unique, modern crochet pieces. I create quality-made products using multiple types of yarn and threads that I constantly hoard! My goal is to modernize crochet and make items shoppers would not expect to see-or have never seen-in this particular medium. To help achieve this, I put time into research and keeping up with the latest trends. Color and texture are very important when working with fiber arts. I take my craft very seriously and make sure I consistently create quality work, and that starts with the basics: quality stitches!

Another perk of my craft and what I am most proud of is that I get an opportunity to work with my 17-year-old daughter while running this small business. She helps me at all my events and does all my graphic design work. It has strengthened our bond and given her a glimpse into entrepreneurship. She now wants to start her own art business, so of course, that makes me super proud!

What matters most to you?
Crochet is slowly picking up with a younger generation. When at my events, I love talking to the shoppers about the art of crochet. The stories I hear often start with “I remember my grandma making…” Rarely do you hear people my age or younger learning. One of the reasons I do what I do is to show my generation and my daughter’s generation the magic of this medium! Making something with your hands is super special. Sharing that same something with others is what makes it magical. That is what I want to help keep alive. That is my contribution to the arts. Being a proud parent of a young artist, I am often encouraging her to remain engaged in her craft, grow from it, and share it with others. Art is so important to the youth and adults alike. It is a platform for personal expression that you choose to interpret in your own way. We all can benefit from that type of freedom.

Contact Info:

• Email: dmariedesignsinc@gmail.com
• Website: www.dmariedesigns.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dmariedesignsinc