Meet Iryna Telminova | Amigurumi creator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Iryna Telminova and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Iryna, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Crochet has been my hobby from the very beginning. And most of all I liked crocheting toys. I gave them to my family and friends and colleagues at work. But only when I went on maternity leave, I gathered courage and decided that my handiwork can be appreciated by others. I sold my first toy for one dollar. But more valuable to me were the words of buyers that toys bring children great joy. It was this joy that pushed me to create my own little store on Instagram and then on the Etsy platform.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
What surprises and delights me most is my talent for making toys from scratch. That is, I literally sit down to work, sometimes without calculating dimensions, sketches and other preparations, take a hook, yarn and just knit. And I get an absolutely unique toy. Clients especially appreciate the uniqueness of the work, as well as the opportunity to translate their own ideas into reality.
When I first started my activity, I knitted toys according to the patterns of other masters, now I make my own patterns. And if it was a pleasure to hone my skills, then learning to make photos of products, store design and other marketing things was a real challenge for me.
An even bigger challenge is the war in my native country, which caused me to emigrate to Austria with my family, I am learning German, and building a life in a new environment. Unfortunately, for two years now my store has been in a freeze. Because of the constant worries and the many hardships of living in a new country, I haven’t found the strength to continue the business. But I am sure that this is temporary, and I will again delight children and not only all over the world with bright and unusual toys.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
The happiest place in my life is Ukraine. No matter what city you go to, you will be deliciously fed and welcomed as a native. My hometown of Zaporizhzhya is famous for the history of the Kozaks and the island of Khortytsya in the middle of the wide Dnieper River. If I met a friend, I would definitely walk with him along the narrow paths of this island among the beautiful nature in enchanting silence, and we would also watch the sunset, they are just magical there. I’m not much of a city socialite, so I can’t recommend a restaurant or special places for entertainment, and I won’t, because it’s not safe in my city right now.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Definitely! My motivators, inspirers, and most honest critics are my kids. They believe more than anyone that mommy will knit anything. My eldest daughter, Snizhana, loves to draw and often provides me with a sketch of a future toy. Younger son Hector of course demands the exact same one, which stimulates me to write down the pattern for the toy right away.

I am also inspired by other masters from Ukraine who, during the war in the country, continue their work. It is a big job to catch inspiration despite the circumstances, and this is an important example for me.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/schelf_of_joy/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@shelfofjoy

Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ShelfOfJoy