At the top of Beth’s Etsy shop is a one line sentence that goes, “They go faster than I make them, sorry”, followed by a sad face that shows that her business, Gourmet Amigurumi, is one that is so popular that it needs to occasionally turn customers away.

This is perhaps one of the rarely trumpeted effects of success, but one that speaks of her dedication to quality: Beth pours a significant amount of time into each piece, and as much I’d like her to crank out more of her oft-sought after dolls, at heart I’d prefer things remain exactly as they are.

On a personal note, Gourmet Amigurumi was one of the reasons I began Cuteable in the first place; immediately cute but permanently endearing, her works inspired me to begin seeking out cute in all its handmade forms. I am therefore delighted to present to you this one-on-one interview I had with Beth.

Cuteable: How long have you been making amigurumi? How did you get started with Gourmet Amigurumi?

Beth: I always have to ask someone for help with the “How long have you been making amigurumi” question. I feel pretty sure it has been about two and a half years now plus a bit of tinkering before that. The trouble with remembering specifics is that I started making amigurumi that were getting noticed shortly after being hospitalized for a bizarre migraine headache that triggered an episode of amnesia. After getting out of the hospital I wasn’t ready to go back to painting so amigurumi felt like a great way to express myself without all of the heavy emotional baggage that painting can carry with it. I am starting to paint again but this time I am using my dolls as models, so I actually feel like I have taken a circular route to more personal, hopefully better painting.

Cuteable: You say that each creation is a “labor of love”. Can you elaborate a bit on some of your thought processes as you initially plan, and then actually create an amigurumi?

Beth: The two parts of this question seem related to each other, but for me the connection is not as direct as the question implies. I think when I said “labor of love” I was referring to the fact that when one makes a piece of art you put so much of yourself, not to mention time, into that piece, that the price will not truly reflect these things. Well, maybe someday. For now I put tiny details on my dolls because I love doing embroidery and beading; I get a kick out of adding these things.

As to the second part of the question…I start off with very vague ideas like a color scheme or a few key features I want to add. The few times that I have approached a doll with a very definite idea of what I wanted the end result to be, they turned out stiff and forced looking.

Cuteable: What would you say are your primary influences and/or sources of inspiration? I.e., are there any specific people or events in your life that have been particularly inspiring or influential?

Beth: I would definitely credit the amnesia with being a traumatic episode that ironically made crocheting dolls possible because at the time I was not enjoying painting. But the seed for loving handcrafts was planted early in my childhood by my mother who taught me a little bit of everything, embroidery stitches, sewing, knots and knitting to name a few. And now I have my husband who is the most supportive partner anyone could possibly want. He actively encourages me to be a fulltime artist, imagine that. Amazing.

Cuteable: Although I’m sure each Amigurumi you craft is near and dear to you, do you have any favorites?

Beth: Actually I am not that warm and fuzzy to be honest. Some of them exasperate me and I am happy to see them go. Others are just kind of blah. But I do have some favorites. Gwen is a fave because she looked so very sad. Euclid is a fav because I made him while I was kind of stoned on migraine meds and I really felt like he expressed the way I was feeling. Hyale is a fave because I made so many technical advances with her. And finally, Joey is a fave because he is so cute and because I looked all over for the perfect bee button for the hat and found it.

Cuteable: Lastly, are there any projects that you’re currently involved in that you’d like to tell us about?

Beth: I am still kind of in book recovery. So I am not doing anything with deadlines at the moment. But because painting is coming back in to my life I am making dolls with the specific intention of using them as models. They are turning out different in subtle, interesting ways.

Cuteable: Thanks again Beth for this chance to speak with you!

More information on Beth’s Gourmet Amigurumi can be found on her main website. She also maintains an Etsy shop here.