We were lucky to catch up with Allison Santos Costa recently and have shared our conversation below.
Allison, we are so appreciative of you taking the time to open up about the extremely important, albeit personal, topic of mental health. Can you talk to us about your journey and how you were able to overcome the challenges related to mental issues? For readers, please note this is not medical advice, we are not doctors, you should always consult professionals for advice and that this is merely one person sharing their story and experience.
From a young age, I’ve struggled with depression and anxiety, which seemed to intensify whenever I wanted to start on new ventures or entered new phases of life. These struggles resurfaced when I started my crochet business, especially when I considered branching out into making new items. At my core, I was deeply afraid of failure, and this anxiety held me back from exploring new things. For about a year, I stuck to making the same crochet dog and relied on the familiar patterns that I knew I could create well. Although I knew I was capable of creating other amigurumi creations, the fear of failure was so overwhelming that I preferred to stick to what was safe. The thought of wasting time on something that might not work out was paralyzing.
However, one day, I was challenged by an encouraging stranger to do something new, forcing out of my comfort zone to do a project I thought wouldn’t pan out.
I was incredibly nervous, but I decided that I wanted to, and could, create something new, in this case a lion, which now is one of my best sellers! It may seem like a small step, but it was a significant turning point for me, and I found myself creating new things regularly. Although the fear of failing still lurks around, my excitement and confidence have grown drastically!
What was surprising to me, was how much this breakthrough in my business also affected my personal life. While I still struggle with my mental health, I now have a track record of victories, even if they’re as simple and retrospectively silly as making something new.
These successes prove to me that I can overcome my struggles and continue to grow and that failing is simply another step towards prevailing. I can’t end this answer without mentioning the incredible support system I have around me, my family, friends and especially my relationship with God, which has truly been essential in my success.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
Brush N Hook started as a growing spark in the heart of an artist in search for purpose, and the means to spread seeds of joy and peace through the work of her hands. It was born out a passion to create beautiful things out of unassuming, simple materials such as yarn, which turned out to have its own realm of complexity! So my work revolves around making beautiful, unique products out of various fiber materials. This is also the meaning behind our logo, which represents the transformative process of doing something outside your comfort zone, overcoming trials and obstacles, in order to grow into something beautiful.
I do mostly custom work, but have recently entered the home decor and personal accessories markets, ranging from custom earrings to accent statement pieces for your home. The prospect of bringing joy into people’s living spaces or confidence to their looks through the work of my hands is highly rewarding.
Regarding upcoming events, I am ecstatic to announce I’m being hosted by our local South Park Mall’s Pottery Barn, which I’m hoping will lead to a long term relationship with the brand and its clients.
As you might have noticed, so far only the Hook out of the Brush N Hook is available to the public. I hope in the future to expand our scope to the Brush as well, bringing carefully curated artwork into play! Currently the biggest obstacle for that is my own mind, as I have been drawing and painting for years, so you’d think it would be easier for me to share my work with the world, but I’m still working through the self-doubt and imposter syndrome that I nurtured over the years. Nevertheless, I’m looking forward to taking the leap into expanding my portfolio!
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Time management, perseverance, and flexibility—these are three qualities it seems I wasn’t born with, but I quickly realized their importance in both running a business and being a creative person.
Time management, specifically prioritizing your time, was something I had to learn early on. Instead of having a boss to tell me what to do next, I am the boss, so I need to carefully set deadlines and decide what needs to be done to make the most of each day. Most importantly, I realized that if I wanted my business to succeed, I needed to set some of my personal wants aside. The time I used to spend mindlessly scrolling on my phone, which I often tried to justify as ‘me time,’ no longer fit into my schedule. Instead, I had to focus on the success of my business and use my time accordingly. That said, I still value ‘me time,’ but now it’s more purposeful—truly about resting and recharging, rather than just zoning out.
Perseverance was another crucial lesson. There were months when my business had a lot of traction, and it was easy to keep going because I could see a clear path forward. But those times were often followed by months where I couldn’t see the next step or milestone, and I struggled to find the motivation to keep crocheting and creating content. In those moments, I had to remind myself to push through, even when the way forward wasn’t clear or immediate success didn’t seem likely. Over time, that perseverance began to pay off—like with this magazine opportunity! A few months ago, I had no idea this would come my way, but I kept making content and crocheting.
Lastly, flexibility is something I still wrestle with. It might seem surprising, given that artists are often seen as carefree and adaptable, but I’m actually quite rigid and like things done in a specific way. When I find a process that works, I tend to stick with it fervently. This approach was fine in the beginning, but as more orders started coming in and I was pulled in different directions, my old ways of doing things began to fail. I wasn’t operating as efficiently as I could be, and my time started getting eaten up by these processes that I was so attached to. I knew my way of making my products worked, so I was scared to try something new. But I reached a point where I had to choose between staying rigid thus losing time and money, or becoming more flexible and finding better ways to run my business. Out of necessity, I chose flexibility, and even today, I’m still working on breaking old habits to do what’s best for my business.
How would you describe your ideal client?
My ideal client is someone who, being tired of the mass-produced, is seeking the unique and meaningful. They value high-quality products that evoke emotion, engage the senses, and create lasting memories. These are the people who appreciate the distinctiveness that handmade craftsmanship provides—who understand that each piece is not just a product but a work of art with its own story.
They’re drawn to items that are thoughtfully and carefully made, while recognizing the time, effort, and passion that goes into the creation process. The appreciation for the exclusive, one of a kind story each item carries through its details and flaws is key for those looking into one of my pieces.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.brushnhook.com
- Instagram: @brushnhook
- Facebook: Brush N Hook
Image Credits
N/A
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