Amanda Parlin shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Amanda, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What do you think is misunderstood about your business?
Most people see the plushies and just think, “Oh, that’s cute,” and stop there. What gets missed is the why. Every character has a story, every kit is designed with sensory needs in mind, and every bracelet is tied to a cause. They’re not random accessories—they’re conversation starters about truth and expression.
The story behind each product matters as much as the product itself. Manny the Manatee isn’t just a squishy keychain, he’s an affirmation of calm. The cause bracelets aren’t just colorful strings, they’re wearable reminders that you’re not alone in what you’re going through.
And I hear comparisons to brands like Pura Vida or Woobles, but what I’m doing comes from lived experience. I started this to help my daughter, and it’s grown into something that fills a real need for families like mine. I’m not chasing a trend; I’m creating resources that actually matter.
At the end of the day, people think they’re just buying an item, but what they’re really stepping into is a community. Every bracelet, plushie, and kit is part of a movement where creativity and mental health awareness go hand in hand.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Amanda Parlin, and I’m the founder and artist of A. Parlin Project, a fiber-arts brand where crochet and micro-macramé meet mental wellness. What makes my work different is that it isn’t just about making something cute—it’s about creating comfort and raising awareness.
Every plushie and kit is tied to a story, an affirmation, or a cause. The characters I design, like Manny the Manatee or Beady Betty the Octopus, aren’t just fun—they’re reminders of calm, resilience, and community. Even my bracelets carry meaning: they’re made in colors that represent causes like autism, ADHD, and anxiety awareness, so people can literally wear their heart, and those who know, know. A silent “I see you. “
This project started as a way to help my daughter, who has unique sensory needs. Crochet became a bridge between us, and it’s grown into a business that now helps others feel seen, supported, and comforted. Right now I’m working on expanding our DIY kits, workshops, and story-driven product lines so people can not only enjoy the finished items but also experience the therapeutic joy of making them.
At its heart, A. Parlin Project is about more than plushies and bracelets—it’s about stitching awareness, comfort, and connection into everyday life.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
I think what breaks bonds between people is silence—when we stop sharing, stop listening, or stop being honest with each other. It’s not usually one big thing; it’s the little moments of not feeling seen or understood that pile up.
What restores bonds is almost the opposite: presence and connection, even in small ways. Sometimes it’s a conversation, sometimes it’s a gesture, sometimes it’s just knowing someone thought of you. That’s actually why I do what I do—because a bracelet or a plushie might look simple, but it carries a story, a cause, or an affirmation that says, “You’re not alone.” Those reminders restore bonds. They tell people they matter.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I’d tell her, “You’re not too much, and you’re not broken. The way your mind works, the things you feel so deeply—they’re going to become your strength one day.” I spent a lot of years thinking I had to tone myself down or fit into a box that didn’t fit. Now I see that the parts of me I once questioned are the same parts that built my brand, connected me to my daughter, and gave me the drive to create comfort for others.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Is the public version of you the real you?
what people see of me — the products, the missions, the Instagram-perfect shots — is an honest version of who I am. The storyline doesn’t change: I make things because they bring comfort and joy. That purpose is real, non-negotiable, and shows up in every kit, bracelet, and character.
But yes, it’s edited. I don’t broadcast every mess, panic attack, or household argument. I don’t post financial stress or the moments I cry in the car. Those omissions aren’t lies, they’re boundaries. I curate so the message is clear, useful, and safe for my family and my customers. Curating doesn’t equal faking; it means choosing what to put forward because not everything helps the people I’m trying to reach.
So the public Amanda is the authentic Amanda with the filters on by design: same values, same messy heart, packaged so people can actually receive it. If you want the unfiltered version, I’ll trade you a coffee and a long conversation — not a curated caption. Actually…let’s make it two coffees.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I want people to say I made room for the quiet and the weird, and then turned that room into something useful. A real, messy legacy: a tiny movement of handmade comfort that helped people feel steadier, kinder, and less alone.
I want the story to sound like this: she took the thing that grounded her and used it to say the things we don’t always have words for. She made characters and kits that became tools: bracelets that signaled support, plushies that helped a child breathe through a meltdown, and workshops where people learned more than stitches—they learned how to be gentler with themselves. People should remember that her work came from lived need and that she turned that need into something that held other people up.
I want them to tell stories about ordinary moments: a parent tucking a Manny keychain into a backpack before school, a teen threading a cause-related bracelet and feeling seen, someone learning a new stitch and finding a tiny island of calm. I want people to say she found a way to put comfort in people’s hands and made awareness part of daily life.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://aparlinproject.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aparlinproject
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aparlinproject/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/aparlinproject
