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Ana Lydiate calls herself the Desperate Crocheting Houswife.
The stay at home mother manages to take care of her two pre-schoolers and squeeze in time for her enterprise ‘Ponchozuki’. We decided to find out a little bit more about Ana’s passion and entrepreneurial spirit.
Where did the inspiration come from for your company?
Ponchozuki comes from an innate talent of crochet and a love for fashion. My husband’s grandmother taught me to crochet. I initially began crocheting the odd thing from patterns but eventually started making up my own stuff or a twist on something I had seen.
I just love fashion and looking good - why not do it in something you made yourself? A friend suggested I do a stall at the Uni markets selling hats. It didn’t go so well but I ended up buying an old crocheted poncho for $2.50 from the stall next to me. I studied it for ages trying to figure out how to do it, then I started making them – and a Ponchozuki was born! Zuki is a Japanese suffix meaning crazy about.
What are the best things about your life?
I get to do a job I really love, enjoy, and I’m good at it. I get to experiment with fashion and put my own mark on it so to speak. I have a N.U.J. philosophy – I refuse to design/make/sell anything I wouldn’t wear myself which means NO UGLY JUNK!
Where do you see yourself in the future? Hopefully making a business out of this! I’d likely to be set up both here and in Japan –they are extremely fashion conscious people who appreciate original handmade (handknit) clothing. I also see myself continuing to experiment with fashion and trying new things, new projects – fashion doesn’t stand still now does it?
Describe yourself (extra points if you can use a combination of your name and your company) in five words.
AMIZUKI – Crochet-Crazy, Perfectionist, Fresh.
Who’s your most inspirational nzgirl?
I’ve got to say Kim Hill, classy, dresses well and an AWESOME interviewer, doesn’t back down. Quite amazing really. I also love Margaret Mahy, Elsie Locke and Patricia Grace who are all amazing writers and very inspirational
Three important lessons you’ve learnt along the way?
1. Price, try not to down-price your work, it’s worth more than you think.
2. Be bold, just step up and ask for things, worse thing they can say is NO.
3. Accept help and advice from those who can do so.
Any advice for nzgirls?
I guess my advice would be the three lessons above and to do something you enjoy for work. Be challenged and have great fun! Think about what you’re naturally good at, or seem to be naturally inclined toward. Also how you can incorporate other skills and knowledge you have picked up along the way from previous jobs and/or life experience when musing on your future career. You can make your own future. Go stay at home mums!! Very inspiring.
To find out more about Ana and Ponchozuki click here.
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Ana Lydiate calls herself the Desperate Crocheting Houswife.
up my own stuff or a twist on something I had seen.
Hopefully making a business out of this! I’d likely to be set up both here and in Japan –they are extremely fashion conscious people who appreciate original handmade (handknit) clothing. I also see myself continuing to experiment with fashion and trying new things, new projects – fashion doesn’t stand still now does it?
thing they can say is NO.