Cool Cats Crochets: How Larisa Feltner Turned Thread into Story
Written By: Dan Hawk
When Larisa Feltner talks about crochet, she does not sound like someone who makes dolls. She sounds like someone who builds worlds.
She was twelve when her grandmother first showed her how to hold a hook and guide the yarn through her fingers. Those first pieces, potholders and scarves, were more about connection than perfection. “My grandmother taught me patience,” Larisa says. “Every stitch had a rhythm. Every mistake taught me something.”
By the time she was a teenager, she had graduated from potholders to sweaters, from following patterns to rewriting them. A family friend, a pediatrician by day and master crafter by night, helped her see that artistry lives in the little things: color changes, clean joins, and the courage to pull out hours of work and start again.
The Spark
After high school, Larisa moved to Tennessee, got married, and started selling small stuffed animals at local yard sales. None sold. “I went home discouraged,” she says. “I could not stop thinking there had to be more.”
Then came Pinterest. Then YouTube. Then Sailor Moon.
One night she typed “Crochet Sailor Moon” into the search bar and found tiny, crocheted versions of the anime characters she had loved as a kid. The moment she saw them, she knew she could make them better. “That was my lightbulb moment,” she says. “I did not just want to make them; I wanted to bring them to life.”
Her husband, Rob, introduced her to YouTube tutorials, and suddenly she was experimenting with proportions, faces, and structure. When she finished her first full-sized Sailor Moon doll, she realized she had reinvented the pattern entirely. “That is when I knew I had something,” she says. “That is when Cool Cats Crochets really began.”
The Build
From there, the hustle was real. Larisa and Rob started vending at comic conventions, learning the business one misstep at a time. Her father, Garth, an engineer, helped her turn creativity into a system with inventory sheets, pricing plans, and expense tracking. “It is a numbers game,” she says. “You cannot just throw price tags on things and hope it works out.”
Her first convention, Con Nooga in Chattanooga, was rough. She sold one doll all weekend. “I thought I had failed,” she admits. “My mom then reminded me that I started crocheting because it made me happy, not because it made me money.”
Her grandmother taught patience. Her father taught discipline. Her husband taught her to keep showing up when doubt crept in. “They all showed me that you can build something beautiful one step at a time,” she says.
The Craft
Ask Larisa how she describes herself and she grins. “Creative,” she says at first - then “enlightened and “humble.”
She laughs about once believing crochet was a grandma thing. Now she works at a level her grandmother never imagined, intricate, colorful, full of attitude and story.
Her process is meditative. “I picture the character in my head and see every detail before I start, what each part needs, what makes it unique. It is calm. It is my zone.” Today, she has created more than sixty characters, each with its own expression and soul.
She works alongside her partner Brittany of LavenFur Creations, who designed her cat-inspired logo after their late pet, Kyo. Together, they run their booth like a small traveling art show; a mix of handmade fantasy and hometown heart.
The Reality
“People think that because you have a business, you have money,” Larisa says. “That is not true. We do this because it gives us purpose, not because it is easy.”
She still works full time, setting a goal to complete at least one new character a month, It is usually four or five replicas of that same design. “It might not sound like much,” she says, but it adds up fast.”
Her creative heroes span worlds she has loved since childhood: Christopher Sabat, the voice behind Vegeta and All Might; Jason David Frank, the original Green Ranger; Eiichiro Oda, who created One Piece; and Masashi Kishimoto, who brought Naruto to life. “I would love to know what was going through their heads when they created their characters,” she says. I would love to hear what it felt like to act them out; to give them life. I would love to show them mine, too.”
The Heart
Looking ahead, Larisa hopes to expand her convention circuit and, someday, work part time so she can focus more on her craft. For now, she is chasing joy - the kind that shows up in tiny stitches and bold colors.
“There is no perfect pattern,” she says. “Every one of them teaches you something new.” Ask her what she wants people to feel when they hold one of her dolls and she does not hesitate. “Joy, she says. I want them to see the heart that went into it; to feel like it was made just for them.” For Larisa Feltner, Founder of Cool Cats Crochets, the beauty is not just in the yarn. It is in the hands that make it, and in the life, love, and patience woven into every single thread.
Follow Larisa Feltner at: Instagram
Gluten Free and Glorious Advocates For Healthy Lifestyles and Landers for All
Emily has been gluten-free since around 2012, and celiac disease runs in her family. Her own diagnosis journey was long and frustrating — and when she finally got answers, no doctor gave her the tools or resources she needed. That’s why Emily started Gluten Free and Glorious: to connect with the gluten-free community, share what she learned, and help others navigate this lifestyle with a little more ease and joy. Grateful she shared her wisdom with me today.
You took some time and moved away from Albuquerque, which was your home state. You then made a return four years ago. Was this specifically due to personal reasons or?
My husband and I decided to move back to be near family and to purchase a house, which is an impossible feat in Los Angeles. Fun fact, my husband and I met while working at Yanni’s in Albuquerque, which has since closed. We did not start dating until a few years after I left New Mexico so I dragged him to Los Angeles with me. We both have family here and love New Mexico. I had not yet been diagnosed with celiac disease when I left New Mexico, and once I was diagnosed and would visit I would have a really hard time not being able to eat all the food I grew up with and loved.
From 2012 to present day, you have suffered from celiac disease, which I see runs in your family. For those unfamiliar, celiac disease is an autoimmune condition triggered by ingesting gluten - resulting in damage to the lining of the small intestine. It can present with over 200 symptoms, including anemia, neurological disorders and osteoporosis. What was your reaction upon diagnosis, and did you conduct research so as to plan out your path?
I likely went undiagnosed celiac for many years, certainly in high school and was finally diagnosed while in college. Coming to the diagnosis was not easy and required a lot of my own research. While I had already sort of recognized wheat as a problem, my mom was the first to suggest celiac after she got together with a cousin of ours on the celiac side of the family. It was a relief to finally get a diagnosis and took a few years to figure out what it would mean for me and to finally heal my gut.
After years of constant nausea and poor health, I am so grateful for my health. Starting my gluten free blog and social media pages was a huge part of the learning journey because no doctor explained to me what gluten was or the complications involved in remaining gluten free with celiac disease, particularly around avoiding cross contact and reading ingredients.
I see that you have elected to stay on a strict gluten free diet, and this makes for both uncomfortable food and financial choices. For you personally, would you say that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages? Could you share with readers on how you determine what, when and how often you consume certain foods?
Staying on a gluten free diet is not a choice with celiac disease; it’s the only current management against the disease. No food is worth risking my health, especially after years of feeling so sick. I am a mostly symptomatic celiac, so more times than not I will feel ill as a result of ingesting gluten. There are some that are asymptomatic. I imagine it is harder for them to justify giving up foods they like, but for me it was a no brainer if I wanted to feel better. People with celiac disease can vary on how they approach their diet, but the minimum requirement is avoiding gluten.
Cross-contact with gluten is also something to avoid as research has shown that anything above 20 ppm of gluten (less than a crumb) can cause celiac symptoms. Even for those that are asymptomatic, the gluten is still damaging your intestines. Cross-contact is when a gluten free food encounters or is exposed to a gluten-containing ingredient. This makes it unsafe for people with celiac disease to eat. I am pretty strict with cross-contact. I will avoid, when possible, shared fryers, cooking surfaces etc. This can make it challenging to travel, eat out or eat at people's houses.
You opted to create the website, Gluten Free and Glorious, which contains gluten-free products, recipes and dining options. Do tell, how do you go about the selection process for coverage?
I update my social media more than my website, but I do update blogs based on travel experiences and the occasional recipe I want to share. My page is really inspired by day-to-day celiac living. I share gluten free products, celiac awareness, meals, and the little lessons I learn along the way. My followers inspire me as well with their comments, messages and emails. I have two other social media pages, Gluten Free Albuquerque and Gluten Free Costco. My website serves as the hub for both. Most popular on my website are the comprehensive lists of gluten free options in Albuquerque, Santa Fe and Rio Rancho. I have loved connecting with the gluten free community in New Mexico!
I read this when researching you - and found it a bit out of the ordinary. You do, at times, eat products that do not have a gluten free label? That seems somewhat unusual for a gal who is very pro gluten free, yes? Can you explain the theory behind this, and have you encouraged others to do so?
I would say there are celiacs who have been around for a long time that also eat foods not labeled gluten free but contain no gluten. There is even a celiac dietician I follow who talks about this. Certainly not everyone lives this way, and I would never tell someone how to navigate their health. I am just sharing what works for me and inviting a new perspective. I’m in good health, and that matters to me.
Recently I did a poll around Taco Bell, which I would not find to be a safe option due to their own reports and risk of cross contact. I was shocked to see how many celiacs eat Taco Bell. I have learned that it is not a one-size-fits all solution when it comes to managing this disease. There are inherent risks in many different areas of managing celiac disease, and each person has different areas they are willing to exercise levels of risk in their life, celiac or not.
I used to only eat certified gluten free foods for the first several years, which had a large impact on my mood and quality of life, not to mention there just were not the options we have today ten plus years ago. There is research around food allergies, celiac disease and the psychological impact, which can be quite significant. Anxiety, depression, eating disorders and social anxiety are not uncommon around celiac. When I first went gluten free, I was so terrified of getting gluttoned and feeling as sick as I once did that I ate very clean. It really had an impact on my mental health. For many years I have enjoyed some food that contains no gluten ingredients but does not necessarily have a gluten free label, certified or otherwise. I certainly aim to mostly buy gluten free as this can be risky for many celiacs because unfortunately gluten is not a top allergen in the USA and therefore can be hidden in some ingredients like “natural flavors”, which may contain barley unless labeled gluten free. Barley is not a top allergen but does contain gluten. My motto around this is “probability, not possibility”. There are certain ingredients like natural flavors I avoid unless the product is labeled gluten free.
There is legislation on gluten free labeling that I have blogged about and I hope people will send letters to their legislators so we can follow in the steps of many other countries who already do this. We have to bring about change by using our voices. I have sample letters and directions on my blog for those who want to contact their legislators. It’s easy!
Back to gluten-I have gotten very good at reading ingredients and knowing which foods to avoid based on these types of ingredients. When I’ve been gluttoned it is generally because of my own stupidity. Live and learn! That was because of manufacturing cross-contact or shared equipment with gluten, which is also a concern, I try to research products not labeled gluten free and containing no gluten ingredients. This can involve a google search to see if gluten watchdog has posted about it and sometimes means I am reaching out to the manufacturer to see if the item contains gluten or uses shared equipment. Then, I continue to use the same products when they are deemed okay. Many companies simply do not use gluten free labeling because they do not want to pay for it. It is not a perfect system and mistakes do happen, but it’s rare and my quality of life has improved significantly.
That being said, I always recommend to new celiacs that they stick to gluten free labels while they learn the ins and outs of reading ingredients. I support any celiac who chooses to stick to certified gluten free goods and overall doing what works for their health. Your health, your choice. I do try to move away from fear mongering on my pages. Anxiety around food allergies is quite prominent. As I mentioned, many of us face challenges around managing anxiety with dietary restrictions. This is why it is also important to be informed in your decision making and get regular celiac lab work done to monitor gluten levels.
Might you find yourself one day partnering up with other organizations so as to help other celiac disease sufferers? For instance, nonprofits such as Celiac Canada or the biopharmaceutical company, EVOQ Therapeutics, who are both aiding in efforts to help patients and find new therapies?
Absolutely! I welcome any opportunity and partnership like this. A huge goal with my GFG Instagram is to raise celiac awareness. I do work with brands on my GFG and Costco page but haven’t had the opportunity to work directly with celiac advocacy groups. What I have been able to do is get a Celiac Awareness Day proclamation approved by Governor Grisham for New Mexico.
Some of your upcoming developments are that you are going to be opening an Etsy store and also publishing the Ultimate Gluten Free Handbook. When might we see these becoming available to the general public, and also, might you reveal any details on either of these yet?
I currently have an Etsy shop open, but it is really focused on other passions in my life, but I have plans! I love to craft, will craft on my own and with girlfriends regularly. I recently hosted a coaster making craft event at Bakehouse off the Wheaten Path, a 100% gluten free bakery in Albuquerque. I have directions for how to do this on your own, including supplies needed on my Etsy store. I am debating selling coaster crafting kits if I can figure out the logistics of shipping.
I also have weekly journaling prompts available. With a MA degree in Clinical Psychology, I am a big advocate for mental health and try to give back locally by fundraising and sharing local causes relating to mental health.
Relating to GFG, I am working on a PDF document that is what I call “The Ultimate Gluten-Free Handbook”. This includes practical advice, legal rights, and everyday strategies for a confident gluten-free life. This guide is packed with tools, tips, and resources for every stage of the journey. It is mostly ready and just needs some editing and final touches! I m so excited to share with the gluten free community.
More information can be found here: Gluten Free & Glorious
3. You are the CEO of PDR Interiors, which is located in Tennessee and opened its doors in 2009. Please share what services are your strong points as a firm?
Our firm’s strongest services center around sorority house design and residential interiors, and these are two areas where we really shine. For sorority houses, we provide full-service design including space planning, furnishings, finishes, and custom branding elements that reflect each chapter’s unique identity. We understand the importance of creating spaces that feel like home while also being functional for a high-energy, high-traffic environment. On the residential side, we offer everything from full-home designs to individual room refreshes. Whether it is a cozy family living space or a stylish retreat, our goal is always to create a home that feels personal, welcoming, and effortlessly livable. In both areas, we pride ourselves on being great listeners and creative problem solvers. We love crafting spaces that are not only beautiful, but that truly support the way people live and connect.
4. There are some who say that interior design is an artform that one can easily make mistakes at if not educated in this area. Would you concur? I also note that some of the best designers are creative, communicate well, are detail oriented and technical thinkers. Would you add any must haves to that list in order to have success in this area?
Absolutely, I would agree that interior design is both an art and a science, and without the right foundation, it is very easy to misstep. It’s not just about what looks good, but what functions beautifully. Education, whether formal or through hands-on experience, is so important because design impacts how people live, work, and feel in a space.
You are spot on with creativity, communication, attention to detail, and technical thinking being essential. I would also add adaptability to that list. Trends shift, client needs evolve, and sometimes a project throws you a curveball—being able to pivot with grace is key. Also, a strong sense of empathy goes a long way. Understanding how someone wants to live in a space helps you design something that is not only aesthetically pleasing, but deeply personal and practical. Finally, let’s not forget passion! The designers who truly shine are the ones who love what they do. It shows in every finish, fabric, and floor plan.
5. Your agency has decorated homes, businesses and college campuses in over 22 states. Walk us through your process, if you would. By this, I mean, what are the steps needed to be taken in order to hire you and have you create designs for a client? Is there an anticipatory timeline to keep in mind for a full project to be finished?
I am so proud of the reach PDR has had—and every project, whether it is a cozy home, or a spirited sorority house, starts with one key thing: connection. The process begins with a discovery call or consultation, where we get to know the client, their needs, their vibe, and their vision. We make sure to gather all the details for a project and that we understand the aesthetic they desire. From there, we dig into the details: sourcing, space planning, timelines, and budgeting. As for hiring us, it is super straightforward: reach out through our website or phone call/email, and we will take it from there. We love making the process approachable and collaborative. In terms of timeline, every project is a little different depending on the scope, but a furnishings project typically takes anywhere from ten to twenty weeks. If it is more complex and includes renovations or new construction, that will extend the timeline. It is never too early to start a project! It is always going to take longer than you think, so giving yourself a buffer is wise.
6. One could assume that you have a number of solid relationships with colleges, as you often design "greek houses", i.e. sororities or fraternities. Does this mean that budgets and decisions are made by schools or students? Also, how much feedback are residents allowed to offer? Finally, can you, as a designer, describe some of the staples for these types of houses?
Colleges and universities typically are not my direct clients. I work closely with the sorority women themselves. Each organization has its own approach to the decision-making process, but most often, there is a committee made up of alumnae, collegiate members, and sometimes national officers who provide input and feedback to my team. From a design perspective, the staples of sorority and fraternity houses are all about blending beauty with durability. These spaces see a lot of activity, so we prioritize high-traffic-friendly materials, layered seating for everything from movie nights to study marathons, and branded moments that reflect the chapter’s identity. Think cozy lounges, bold accent walls, sorority crests, and a color palette that is fresh, inviting, and timeless. Our goal is always to create spaces that are just as inspiring as they are functional—because these houses should feel like home in every sense.
7. In doing my research, it was revealed that you unfortunately lost your mother to cancer. I have to believe that within some of your design choices lies some inspiration from this fine lady. Would this be true? Also, please share with my readers something remarkable about who she was to you.
Yes, that is absolutely true. Losing my mom to cancer was one of the hardest experiences of my life, but her influence continues to be woven into so much of what I do. She had this effortless grace and a way of making everyone around her feel special, which is something I try to channel into my work—creating spaces that feel warm, welcoming, and full of heart. She was the ultimate hostess, not in a formal or fussy way, but in how naturally she made people feel at home. That spirit of hospitality and connection has become such a core part of my design philosophy. I am constantly thinking: How will this space bring people together? That is her legacy living on in my work, and it’s one I am so proud to carry forward.
8. To conclude, are there any substantial projects you are able to share? Might you even consider taking pen to paper and writing a book?
I am an avid reader, so writing feels like a natural extension of that passion. I would love to write a book someday. I am just waiting for the right moment and the right story to tell. It’s definitely on my creative bucket list! In the meantime, I am also working on some exciting ventures in product development, specifically designed with the sorority market in mind. It has been such a fun and inspiring process, and I cannot wait to share more as things unfold! More information on PDR Interiors is found at: PDR Interiors - Professional Interior Decorators, Lexington, KY | PDR Interiors specializes in campus Greek house decorating, as well as homes, corporate offices and more..
Liz Toombs – Doing Design That Delights A Cluster of Clients
Authored By: Cindy Mich
Liz Toombs is not just your average decorator—she is the sorority house whisperer! With her PDR Interiors team, Liz has transformed over 100 college campuses across twenty-five states. She has been a seasoned leader in the decorating world for the past fifteen years. Her passion for mentoring women stems from her own Greek life experiences, driving her dedication to enhancing sorority housing projects and preserving the cherished sisterhood atmosphere. Loved learning more about her background.
1. So, do tell me - how long have you been a look alike to actor Cheryl Hines? This in and of itself could make for a great selling point for your services. I also love that you take it upon yourself to keep the kind notes that others offer to you. In all the years of doing business, what do you feel is the biggest blessing that came from working in interior design?
Ha! I have been told that I favor Cheryl, and I take it as a huge compliment. When it comes to blessings in my work, without a doubt, it is the connection with others. Whether it’s clients, vendors, or fellow creatives, the relationships I have built over the years are what I most treasure. I truly believe that design is about more than just aesthetics. It is about creating spaces that bring people together. Knowing that my work can help foster connection and community is the most rewarding part of what I do.
2. Five years ago, you served as an adjunct instructor at the University of Kentucky within the Retail and Tourism Management Program. That is a bit of a deviated direction from design. Is it odd that I would have expected you to teach interior design or is this in the works?
I actually graduated with a textiles degree from the University of Kentucky, which falls under the Retail and Tourism Management (RTM) department. It is a program I still support today through ongoing service on their advisory board. Over the years, I have also welcomed several interns from RTM, so stepping into a teaching role there felt like a natural extension of that relationship. The course I taught focused on soft skills—things like communication, professionalism, and leadership—which are essential across all industries, including design. While it was not a design-specific class, those skills are absolutely foundational to success in the creative world too. So, not too far off track after all!
BLACK BARREL RECORDS AND RECORDING STUDIO
Black Barrel Records (BBR) is an independently owned record label and recording studio headquartered in the historic Conti building at 415 Howe Avenue in Shelton, Connecticut. Founded in 2021 by James Howard, Zach Stout, and Nick Howard, a team with decades of recording experience, BBR is fully equipped to provide bands and artists with high quality, high-tech recording services and hands-on label services, and offers partnerships with its signed artists, as well as artist management for all music types and voice over work. Custom built by its owners, the studio is operated by the company’s Chief Executive Officer James Howard and Chief Technology Officer Zach Stout, who are both musicians, producers, and audio engineers. The newly renovated 1500-square-foot space provides bands with ample room to record, as well as a separate recording room for vocals.
Under the direction of veteran luthier Austin Michaels, Black Barrel Records’ repair and retail shop, which is located in the same building as the studio, was opened with the goal of serving musicians in the New Haven County and Lower Naugatuck Valley area following the closing of Sam Ash. The shop offers guitar set ups and repair services for string instruments, as well as a curated selection of instrument accessories, such as Ernie Ball and D’Addario guitar strings and accessories, Mogami and MXR cables, Dunlop guitar picks, vintage records, band merchandise, and more.
Black Barrel Records’ executives also operate HS Acoustics, which focuses on home and business studio and entertainment center set up services for customers throughout Connecticut. To learn more, visit: Black Barrel Records | Record Label | Recording Studio
To see my interview with Co-Founder James Howard, visit: https://youtu.be/YxNVQzxy4zM
NuvoLearn is an AI-powered tutoring platform designed for K-8 students that was created by Wauwatosa, WI resident Fernando Topete. It provides personalized learning experiences through interactive lessons, quizzes, and comprehensive progress tracking across Math, Science, Reading, Social Studies, and Spelling. This program teaches five core subjects for K-8 students: Mathematics, Science, Reading, Social Studies, and Spelling. Each subject includes grade-appropriate lessons, interactive practice, and comprehensive assessments. What makes NuvoLearn stand out among other tutoring platforms is that it combines advanced AI technology with personalized learning paths, offering real-time feedback, adaptive difficulty levels, gamified achievements, and comprehensive parent reporting - all in one integrated platform. More details the platform are here: NuvoLearn - AI-Powered Learning Platform for K-8 Students | Personalized Education.
To hear my interview with Fernando, use this link: Interview with Fernando Topete - Creator of NuvoLearn