Today we’d like to introduce you to Katie Parker.
Katie, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My small business started with a friend asking me to make her a chunky knit purse. I told her that I would figure out how to make it. So, I taught myself how to hand knit (no hooks or needles involved) with a YouTube video that was completely in Japanese. From there I just started making more and more items and started my company under the name The Wooden Lotus. This name came from a love of nature and the symbolism that goes along with the Lotus Flower. It felt like a perfect representation of me. I quickly started attending markets as a vendor and fell in love with the makers community. The last market I did was back in 2024 at the Sunday Market at The Avenue at White Marsh. Although I didn’t do the best at the market, I was introduced to the Markers of Maryland (MoM) which majorly enhanced my company over the past two years. I applied to MoM’s holiday pop-up shop and was ecstatic to get in. From there MoM solidified a year-round location and I was amongst the first group of people accepted into the shop. MoM has provided me with new friendships, mentors and wisdom. Since joining the store year-round, I have changed my company name to The Woven Lotus, as I moved towards traditional crocheted products and decided the name was more applicable. I have been growing the business ever since with new patterns and marketing ideas.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Along the journey of what is my company, I have struggled to turn a profit some months and sell certain pieces. It’s discouraging not getting notifications of sales when you work so hard hand creating each and every product, but I keep pushing forward because I love crocheting and I love being a part of the MoM community.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
During the weekdays I am a Senior Architectural Technician, working to get my architectural license. In simpler terms, I draw construction documents for single family homes. I am proud to tell anyone that I am living my childhood dream by working in residential architecture, but I am also proud to tell people that I run my own small business on side. Many people crochet these days. Many people sell their crocheted products at markets and local stores. I honestly don’t think that my company stands out from others. We all create with passion and love and sell our items to spread the joy. I aspire to create my own patterns someday soon and start to distinguish myself from other vendors in that way.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
One thing I love best about the Gaithersburg area is that there is never a shortage of activities. You can go to a restaurant that serves food from anywhere in the world. You can find festivals and events celebrating cultures from everywhere. You can even just hear all of the different languages being spoke when walking around Rio. It is beautiful to see and experience. The only thing I have to complain about is the density of the area. Sometimes I long for a slower paced life where homes and people are more spread out.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewovenlotus_?vrfl=NHFlbm8zM2RrY2o%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/19nNLtSHGW/?mibextid=wwXlfr
- Other: thewovenlotus5@gmail.com
