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

Hi Jamilah, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
I am from Pittsburgh Pa. I lived here for most of my life besides the two years I lived in Virginia. I would say My background would consist of me, my mother, and my sister growing up in one household. I feel like my background impacted the person I am today by always giving me a reason to keep going and to keep pushing for my goals. My mom always stood by my side no matter what I choose to do as long as I kept going and pushed for my purposes. My mother’s support to keep going with anything I wanted to do became the reason I made it this far. I would say it gave me such a big impact fact that my grandmother used to crochet and since she passed, I have been the only one in my family to keep crocheting over the years. I have also thought my daughter Genevieve how to crochet as well in hopes that it will keep going after me.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My art is Crocheting. My work is different from others because when people think of crocheting they think of simple items like a hat scarf, or just a cover. and I tend to make everything but that. I feel like I’m more known for my shaggy jackets. I can say out of all the outfits I have made, I’m proud of my shaggy jackets the most. I don’t know too many people who can do them or would even like to. I have been crocheting since 2016 I started my business in 2017 and never looked back since. I would say this was not an easy journey for me. there have been times when I have been ready to quit and walk away. I have had people try to bash me for no reason even trying to get a free outfit out of me. Just to overcome all this, I learned all money is not good money to make sure there is a good line of communication with my customers. The lesson I learned from this business is to treat it like if I don’t make a sale I don’t eat, and who would want to go without eating? I tell everyone I see that I crochet and make sure I show them pictures of my work as well. I also learned you can’t be scared to tell anybody like hey this is me and this is what I do. If I stop telling people who I am they will never know, and even if they do know it doesn’t hurt to remind them. I sent my work to big celebrities such as NFL players, and The City Girls, and I Have a new celebrity on my list as well. I want the world to know about my brand that I have no intention of stopping any time soon and just like a balloon when you let it go. The only way is up from here

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would say if my best friend was coming to visit me in the city I would take them to the Melting Pot for dinner just so they can experience of it. Once that day over I would take them to Dave n Busters for a night of a arcade and drinks until we get sleeping and have to rest for the night. For breakfast I would take them to my favorite breakfast place called Nancy’s. Nancy’s is a great place to have a home cooked meal without the cooking.

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?
I have to shout out to all the big supporters I have and had in the past. I want to credit my mother Mary for always telling me and pushing me to follow my dreams. My sister Mariea for always helping me buy the supplies I needed to get orders done. My Boyfriend Dawayne for always helping me with the kids while I work on orders. My friend Jason for always being on my back as well to make sure I have orders coming in.

Website: malascreations.com

Instagram: malascreations

Facebook: Malas Creations LLC

Image Credits
I just want to say thank you to all my models Genevieve Butler , my daughter Chantel Smith and her daughter Tonice Banks Krishauna Nikole Xochilt Santana I’Asha Jackson

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