Small Business of the Day: Tina Dean Designs

We’re highlighting small businesses from around the country as nominated by you, our readers. If your favorite small business is using Twitter to communicate with customers, let us know about it @fbsmallbiz with the hashtag #mysbc, and it may be featured as an upcoming Small Business of the Day.

Small Business of the Day: Tina Dean Designs

Who: Tina Allen, 44, @tinadeandesigns

What: Handcrafted accessories made with upcycled plastic bags, or plarn

When: 2009

How: Allen was laid off from her job as an executive assistant two years ago and had a hard time finding work. She has been crocheting since she was six years old, and decided to turn her hobby into a profession.

"I had an extremely hard time finding a new job, so I decided not to rest on my laurels," she said.

Where: Stafford, Va.

In her own words:"I try to keep things really simple, and I am a mom so I like things that are easy to take care of. Almost everything I make I try to make sure it can go in the washer."