Today we’d like to introduce you to Kateryna Yevtushenko.
Hi Kateryna , so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
For several years, I was searching for my path. Before that, I worked as a professional esthetician in Ukraine. Although I enjoyed helping people, I always felt a strong desire to create something with my own hands. I was looking not just for a job, but for something that truly felt like my own.
One day, I came across a job opening at a tufting studio. I decided to give it a try, and from my very first day, I knew I had found something special. When I finished my first rug, I felt genuine joy and amazement. I could hardly believe that I had created something so beautiful myself. But even more than the finished piece, I fell in love with the creative process—watching simple strands of yarn gradually transform into something unique.
Later, I moved to the United States. Here, I continued doing what I love, creating rugs and gradually building my Etsy shop, Kate’s Handcrafted Rugs, one piece at a time.
Today, my goal is not simply to make more rugs. I want to continue learning new techniques, improve the quality and complexity of my work, and keep growing as an artist. Every new project is an opportunity to challenge myself and create something more refined, expressive, and meaningful than before.
For me, tufting is much more than a craft. It is a way to express creativity and discover new possibilities within myself. I often feel that creativity flows through me rather than comes only from me. My role is to listen, trust the process, and allow each piece to become what it is meant to be. That is what inspires me to keep creating, learning, and growing with every piece I make.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No, it definitely wasn’t a smooth journey. Like any creative profession, tufting requires patience, practice, and a willingness to keep learning.
One of my biggest challenges has been learning to be patient with myself. Not every idea turns out exactly as I imagine it, and not every piece is perfect on the first attempt. Over time, I realized that every project teaches me something new and helps me grow.
Another challenge has been building my business from the ground up in a new country. Growing an Etsy shop involves much more than creating beautiful rugs. It has meant learning photography, marketing, customer communication, and many other skills that are just as important as the creative process itself.
Looking back, I see every challenge as part of the journey. They have made me more confident, more patient, and even more passionate about what I do. Every obstacle has helped me become a better artist and a stronger business owner.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I create handcrafted tufted rugs that combine craftsmanship, creativity, and personal expression. Every rug is made entirely by hand, and I enjoy working with different textures, colors, and designs to create pieces that are both beautiful and functional.
At this stage of my journey, I am focused on refining my skills and continually challenging myself with more complex creative projects. I believe that every new piece is an opportunity to learn, improve, and grow as an artist.
What I am most proud of is that every rug I create is unique. I am not interested in repeating the same design over and over. Instead, I enjoy creating pieces with their own character and personality, putting care, thought, and attention to detail into each one.
What sets me apart is the way I approach my work. I do not simply make rugs—I create them thoughtfully, allowing each design to develop naturally. For me, the creative process is just as important as the finished result. I want people who see or own one of my rugs to feel the care, creative energy, and warmth that I put into every piece.
What are your plans for the future?
My goal is to continue growing as a tufting artist by learning new techniques, creating more detailed and complex pieces, and expressing my creativity through every rug I make. I hope to expand Kate’s Handcrafted Rugs, reach more people who appreciate handmade art, and create pieces that bring joy, warmth, and inspiration into their homes. I also look forward to exploring new artistic directions while staying true to the passion that inspired me to begin this journey.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_tool_in_the_hands_of_god?igsh=ZTUzMDU5ZzB4czVm
- Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/KatesTuftedRugs
