Piper Phelps, a Tarrytown resident and eighth-grader at Sleepy Hollow Middle School, is already stitching her name on the world of crafting. In less than a year, what started as a simple curiosity has blossomed into a full-fledged business where she creates and sells intricately designed dolls and crocheted plushies.
Piper’s crafting journey began in February 2024 when she learned how to crochet. Her father bought a crochet kit for her sister, but when her sister didn’t take to it, Piper decided to give it a try. Within a week, she had completed her first two plushies – a dragon named Lola and an axolotl named Sammy – and fell in love with the art form. From there, she quickly advanced. By May, she was commissioned to make a Pokémon plushie for a friend’s mother. Her talent was clear, and soon, the demand for her creations began to grow.
Once Piper realized that her skill could become a business, she hit the ground running, designing the logo and vision for her brand Crafty Book Nerd. With the support of her father Bill, who owns a product design business, Piper booked Tarrytown Music Hall’s and Makers Central’s holiday markets. This launched her into what she’s called “Crochet Mania,” producing about 100 plushie dolls and keychains over three months for Makers Central alone.
Piper understands who the target audience is. “Moms, grandparents, aunts, uncles … really anyone who wants special, personalized presents for kids.” And when asked how she knew how much to charge, she replied, “I looked up what similar items were going for online.” She must’ve hit the nail on the head because she sold out of her inventory that day. “It was such a cool experience,” Piper said, recalling the buzz of being surrounded by adults and engaging with customers, especially the children who excitedly picked out their new plush friends.
“I love seeing kids with their plushies – it makes all the hard work worth it,” she added. The market was a massive success due in large part to how much she learned as a young business owner. Piper’s people and sales skills were on full display, with her charm and confidence winning over shoppers.
As for the 3D-printed dolls, Piper gets to create her favorite fantasy characters for herself, as well as customized or restyled dolls for others. She puts in hours of meticulous work, taking anywhere from three to 15 hours to complete them, depending on the complexity. “I love making dolls, especially big ones, like the ones from Keeper of the Lost Cities and Legends of Zelda,” Piper gushed. Her Percy Jackson & the Olympian dolls even received applause from the books’ creators on her YouTube channel.
For Piper, making dolls is not just about crafting; it’s about bringing characters to life. She often draws inspiration from her favorite books, shows, and games. “I dollify anything I love,” she said with a smile.
With a growing business and a love for crafting, Piper has big dreams for the future. In addition to expanding her custom orders and completing more commissions from past markets, Piper is also focused on growing her YouTube channel. She plans to post more videos of her doll-making process and crochet tutorials. “The most exciting part of growing my business is the growth itself,” she beamed. From the light in her eyes, it’s evident that Piper has a bright future ahead.
Follow Piper’s crafting journey at www.craftybooknerd.com. To contact her for commissions, email her at piper@craftybooknerd.com.
