Maker Monday: TJ Peterson weaves together creativity, comfort, and a touch of tarot

McCOOK, Neb. — For nearly a decade, TJ Peterson has been reading tarot cards — first for herself, then for friends, and now, for anyone curious enough to sit down with her at Familiar Finds, where she offers walk-in readings on Saturdays from 10-3 p.m.

✨ Introductory pricing — $5 for a single card or $10 for a three-card spread — runs through the end of October.

“This is the first time I’ve stepped out of my comfort zone to do in-person readings for other people,” TJ says. With two tarot decks, three oracle decks, and a runestones deck, she offers simple one- or three-card readings meant to spark reflection and conversation.

But tarot is only part of the picture. TJ is also the creative force behind Back Country Creations, a handmade business where yarn becomes plushies, keychains, home goods, and wearable art — each piece crafted with patience, care, and deep personal meaning.

Crafting with heart and heritage

TJ’s love for fiber arts began in childhood, when her grandmother first tried to teach her crochet. “There was a big communication gap,” she laughs. “She was all patterns and diagrams, and I couldn’t read them.” Years later, YouTube tutorials helped the stitches finally click — and soon TJ had surpassed her grandmother’s skill.

Before her grandmother passed, TJ created a green, variegated blanket as a Christmas gift. It became one of her grandmother’s most cherished possessions and was buried with her when she died. “She told my mom she was amazed by everything I could do — that meant the world,” TJ recalls.

That same sense of love and legacy continues to guide her work. Whether she’s crafting a tiny $5 “pocket pal” chicken or a detailed wolf plush her husband treasures, every piece carries a story.

A creative life in McCook

TJ moved to McCook five years ago and, though she describes herself as someone who “keeps to herself,” she’s found a warm welcome here.

She now crafts full-time under the Back Country Creations name, supplementing her household income while keeping prices accessible. “I grew up thrifty,” she says. “I source materials secondhand when I can. I’m working on raising prices where I should, but I won’t charge more than I’d personally feel okay spending.”

Crochet, she says, is more than a business — it’s a form of therapy. “The repetition slows your mind so you can process,” she explains. “It’s free therapy.”

Tarot as reflection, not fortune-telling

TJ’s newest creative chapter began this fall with tarot readings at Familiar Finds. Through the end of October, a single-card reading is just $5, and a three-card spread is $10 — a simple way for anyone to explore the practice without pressure.

Her approach is open-minded and exploratory. Rather than following one belief system, she uses tarot as a tool to help people step back and look at their lives from a new angle. “It’s about reflection,” she says. “Cards can help you see patterns and choices — where you are, and where you might go next.”

Handmade, heartfelt — and wholly her own

From plush toys and keychains to cozy blankets and wearable accessories, TJ’s creations are made with intention and care.

“I’m weird, I’m eclectic, and I’m still figuring myself out,” she says. “I’d rather admit that than pretend I’ve got one fixed identity. Making helps me feel grounded — and it brings people together.”

Her philosophy is simple: surround yourself with things that make you feel good — whether that’s a handmade chicken keychain, a comforting plush wolf, or a tarot message that speaks to the moment.

✂️ Find TJ Peterson

• Tarot readings: Saturdays from 1–3 p.m. at Familiar Finds, 307 Norris Ave., McCook. (Introductory pricing — $5 for one card and $10 for a three-card spread — runs through October.)

• Back Country Creations: Plushies, home goods, jewelry, and more. Custom orders welcome.