Hello and Welcome!
I’m so glad our paths have crossed! My name is Jennifer, but I also go by Jen, so take your pick, I’ll answer to both.
I imagine that you’ve landed here because, like me, your soul is drawn to delectable yarns with all their tints, tones, shades, and hues. The color, the texture, the luxury! Perhaps it’s the unquenchable desire to have yarn gliding through the fingers of one hand while the other hand almost mechanically holds your hook and creates?!! Or perhaps still, the pleasure of taking what some would call a simple piece of string and turning it into tangible items of function, love, and beauty.
If this describes you, or you so very much wish that it did, then you’re in the right place! Everyone is welcome here! 🙂
The goal here on Jen Hayes Creations is to spark crochet imagination and creativity within you as I help feed your need and ability to create with yarn, helping you to make pieces that you’ll want to both cherish and share!
I’ll provide patterns, design tips, and tutorials as quickly as my maker hands can get them to you (figure on at least a couple of times a month). You provide the yarn, tools, and time to create! Let’s work together as we learn to handcraft a home, life, and family we love one stitch at a time!
Let’s Keep in Touch!
The best way to always be in the loop about new patterns, techniques, tutorials, giveaways, and crafty fun is to subscribe to the newsletter! Thanks for your support!
I’d also love to connect with you on social media as well! You can find me on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, and on YouTube. You can share your makes with me by tagging @jenhayescreations. Let’s chat soon!
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Looking for more about who I am? Is there something specific you would like to know? I’ll give you an overview. Read as little, or as much as you’d like. If you have any questions, please ask!
I’m a Wife
Andrew and I were married in November 2004. We initially met in the Czech Republic where we both served as missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We continued to be friends when we both got home and as time passed, as he says, “he got me into a situation where he knew I couldn’t say no,” and he proposed.
We went to see a play at a local playhouse together and before the play began I was surprised to find myself called up on stage with Andrew playing his guitar and singing in front of the audience. He then proposed. As you can see, his plan worked. I said, “Yes!” We’ve been best friends ever since. He’s honestly the very best and my biggest supporter!
I’m a Mom
This is a title I treasure. How many children do I have? This question in the past has caused me to pause, but now I answer, “We’ve had four.” Strangers usually don’t ask more. Friends usually wan to know more, and we’re friends, right?!! In May 2006, our little Gwen came into the world two months early and feet first. She was as feisty as ever, all 3 pounds 7 ounces of her. We lived at the NICU for about a month and brought her home at a whopping 4 pounds!
As time went one, we noticed red flags in her behavior. She didn’t respond to noise and her eyes bounced all over the place. Monts and many doctors later we found out that Gwen was deafblind. This explained a lot. With genetic testing we also learned that she had a rare genetic disorder, a Peroxisome Biogenesis Disorder in the Zellweger Spectrum Disorders (PBD-ZSD). About this time we also discovered that we were expecting our second child. Life changed for us in a hurry!
Aniah was born in October 2007, unaffected by the disorder. Life was beautiful and crazy and we learned a ton, some because we wanted to and some because we had to.
In 2009 we were once again expecting! Several months into this pregnancy we lost our Gwen. She was three years old and had outlived the doctor’s estimations by two years. She went back to heaven on February 25, 2010.
In July 2010, our Isabelle entered the world. Our little family continued to grow and in July 2012, our William was born. As soon as he came out we knew that he was a PBD boy, which was later confirmed with genetic testing. This brought us once again into the world of deafblindness and PBD-ZSD related issues. He continues to do well considering his condition and is surpassing what his sister was able to do in her short lifetime.
My honored title of mom reaches to heaven, exists on earth, branches into the areas of special needs and deafblindness, and most importantly is wrapped around my babies wherever they may be, now or in the future.
I’m a Crafter
Boy am I ever! You name it, I’ve at least dabbled, or would be interested in doing so. I love handcrafted items! On my blog I’ll be sharing everything I know about crochet and helping you learn to design your own pieces if you wish, but I also work with polymer clay, make jewelry, sew, embroider, and make cards, to name a few. I really want to improve my knitting and felting skills.
Crochet has probably been my biggest passion, especially once I discovered amigurumi and began designing my own patterns. I’ll keep it mostly to crochet on the blog, but don’t be surprised if other creations pop in here and there as I say, “Look what I made!” It is so fun to share, and I look forward to seeing your handcrafted creations as well!Â
I think this covers most of the big stuff you might want to know about me!
Family Photo Credit: Danielle Winona