Before starting Samantha Crafts in October 2011, Wang Yun (also known by her married name, Samantha Groffman) practiced international law. However,
this mom of two needed a change of pace after the birth of her eldest daughter, Ruth. One day, Wang Yun chanced upon her Ruth’s knitting book. “If a child can do it, then I can do it,” she thought. Since then, this Shanghai native has added crochet to her many skills. At her cheery pastel-colored shop in Fangjia Hutong, she sells a variety of handmade goods, including baby cardigans (RMB 199), phone cases (RMB 19.90), fruit ornaments (RMB 14.90), hair ties (RMB 9.90), and stuffed toys (RMB 39-259). One bestseller is the reversible Cinderella doll (RMB 259); the skirt pulls over raggedy Cinderella’s head to reveal a beautiful blue ball gown. In the winter, Samantha Crafts also offers hats, mittens, scarves, and gloves. Crafters can also pick up knitting needles, crochet hooks, yarn, buttons, beads, stitch markers, and more. Wang Yun occasionally hosts crochet workshops at the shop; find Samantha Crafts’ event listings on beijingkids.com/events or follow Wang Yun on Weibo: 王昀SamanthaGroffman.
Mon-Fri 9.30am-1pm, 2-6pm. Weekends and holidays by appointment. 12 Fangjia Hutong, Dongcheng District (6405 8098, 136 9302 8730 Wang Yun) samanthacrafts.taobao.com 珊米织物，东城区方家胡同12号
This article is excerpted from beijingkids September 2012 issue. View it in PDF form here or contact distribution@beijing-kids.com to find out where you can pick up your free copy.
