iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Melissa at MCreativeJ @mcreativej.com · 04/04/2025

I love that! Whenever I see my seashell stamp tattoo I think about camp too. I’m so glad I don’t have to choose what classes to take this year, I want to take them all haha.

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Melissa at MCreativeJ @mcreativej.com · 04/04/2025

I'm thrilled Camp Craftaway will be back for a 4th year! My dear friend Sara and I have been hosting this craft camp for adults and it's the highlight of my summer. ⁠ This year, I'll be sharing how to indigo dye. You can also try more than 25 hands-on craft classes at camp! www.campcraftaway.fun

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Melissa at MCreativeJ @mcreativej.com · 06/03/2025

When you’re few days off after two big retail shows as a #smallbusiness owner turns into just trying to survive a cold… so much for a break. I didn’t plan for this on my calendar.

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Melissa at MCreativeJ @mcreativej.com · 03/03/2025

Exhausted but so thankful for such an amazing show with Sew Expo. I loved getting to chat hand #embroidery, creativity, and inspiration with everyone who stopped by my booth and took my workshops. These items were some of the best sellers from my booth.

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Reposted by Melissa at MCreativeJ

Sara Barnes @brwnpaperbag.com · 25/02/2025

Crafters and craft-curious people in #Seattle and beyond: @mcreativej.com and I run Camp Craftaway, a day camp for crafty adults! Come meet people and make cool stuff this summer, August 1 - 3: www.campcraftaway.fun #craftsky #crafts #logoff

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Melissa at MCreativeJ @mcreativej.com · 24/02/2025

Thank you everyone who stopped by my booth at the NW Flower & Garden Show! You made it amazing. Here are the top 5 #embroidery items you had to have:

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Melissa at MCreativeJ @mcreativej.com · 20/02/2025

Ooh yeah! I can’t wait to see it!

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Melissa at MCreativeJ @mcreativej.com · 19/02/2025

My newest #embroidery kit, Butterfly Garden!⁠ ⁠ When I was in New Orlean last year, I visited Insectarium. I'm pretty squeamish when it comes bugs, but this insectarium had a butterfly room. ⁠ The butterfly room was filled with hundreds of butterflies. This trip led to the creation of this kit!

Hand holding an oval hoop featuring embroidered flowers and butterflies.

Hand holding an oval hoop featuring embroidered flowers and butterflies. Zoomed out flat lay.

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Melissa at MCreativeJ @mcreativej.com · 13/02/2025

I could see that. I bet the laces are hard to use from a practicality stand point, but visually they elevate the look.

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Melissa at MCreativeJ @mcreativej.com · 10/02/2025

Perfect way to spend a Sunday!

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Melissa at MCreativeJ @mcreativej.com · 08/02/2025

Last night I taught my first embroidered mends class. It was great to get to help everyone learn how to patch their denim and then add #embroidery around the patch.⁠ ⁠ If you want to join me for a workshop, be sure to check my upcoming classes: MCreativeJ.com

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Melissa at MCreativeJ @mcreativej.com · 08/02/2025

So hopefully a good marketing tool then!

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Melissa at MCreativeJ @mcreativej.com · 08/02/2025

Exhausted and excited all at the same time. I haven’t shown up here much this week because I’ve been spending every spare moment putting together #embroidery kits to fill orders from my recent #tradeshow. I’m beyond grateful so many stores want to carry my work. #smallbusiness

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Melissa at MCreativeJ @mcreativej.com · 08/02/2025

Dang you are putting way more effort in than I did this year haha

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Melissa at MCreativeJ @mcreativej.com · 05/02/2025

What do you think will be trends in hand #embroidery for 2025? These are my predictions: www.mcreativej.com/post/embroid...

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Melissa at MCreativeJ @mcreativej.com · 02/02/2025

Feeling overjoyed after teaching two hand #embroidery classes with so many amazing makers at These Hands Makers Collective today ❤️

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Melissa at MCreativeJ @mcreativej.com · 28/01/2025

How small of shoes can you stitch on?⁠ I'm about to find out! ⁠ I was sent me these cute little kiddo shoes. My bugs stick and stitch patterns seemed like the perfect fit to add these and keep my hands busy while at the Las Vegas Market trade show this week. #embroidery #crafts #upcycled

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Melissa at MCreativeJ @mcreativej.com · 23/01/2025

Wishing all my fellow handmade businesses participating in the Faire Winter Market, the best! And if you’re a shop looking to stock nature inspired embroidery kits, be sure to check out MCreativeJ. faire.com/direct/mcrea...

faire.com

Faire helps retailers find and buy unique wholesale merchandise for their stores. Retailers can order online wholesale and get flexible payment terms and free returns.

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Melissa at MCreativeJ @mcreativej.com · 21/01/2025

Did you know that I started my #SmallBusiness at a farmers market and now I vend at trade shows? Being a small business owner can be a wild ride in figuring out how to grow. Tune in to see how I’ve grown MCreativeJ in the latest episode of Market Maven podcast podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...

podcasts.apple.com

Stitching Success: From Farmers Market to Flourishing Business

Podcast Episode · The Market Maven · 01/21/2025 · 47m

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Melissa at MCreativeJ @mcreativej.com · 16/01/2025

Filmed a new FlossTube for my YouTube account today. Here’s some of the very entertaining stills from it. Who knew I made such weird faces when I describe #embroidery projects 😂

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Melissa at MCreativeJ @mcreativej.com · 15/01/2025

You'll be able to shop a wide selection of amazing sewing vendors. From hand embroidery to quilting, to specialty fabrics and finishes, Sew Expo has it all. Mark your calendars and be sure to stop by booth 301!⁠

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Melissa at MCreativeJ @mcreativej.com · 15/01/2025

I'm so excited! I'll be back to teach workshops at the Sewing & Stitchery Expo. You can join me for 4 classes. Here's all the workshops details below.⁠ ⁠ 2/26: Stumpwork Butterfly Pin⁠ 2/27: Fabric Landscapes⁠ & Clothing Embroidery⁠ 2/28: Beginner Embroidery Demo⁠ 3/2: Floral Embroidery Basics⁠

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Melissa at MCreativeJ @mcreativej.com · 11/01/2025

One of my small business goals this year is to monetize my YouTube channel. If you love all things hand embroidery, I’d love for you to subscribe! www.youtube.com/@mcreativej #embroidery

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Melissa at MCreativeJ @mcreativej.com · 11/01/2025

You know when an idea pops into your head and you aren't sure if it's going to work out, but you want to try it anyways. Here's a few early stage photos from my current project. I'm now 15+ hours in and we'll shortly find out if the idea was great for a huge waste of time haha. #embroidery

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Melissa at MCreativeJ @mcreativej.com · 10/01/2025

Isn’t that why they invented InstaCart? Haha

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Melissa at MCreativeJ @mcreativej.com · 09/01/2025

Absolutely! I wanted more of a vintage cottage style house when we were house hunting, but it turns out 6’ 7” husbands don’t fit in that style home very well…

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Melissa at MCreativeJ @mcreativej.com · 09/01/2025

I love that! I’m here for themey rooms and the cottagecore/goblincore aesthetic.

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Melissa at MCreativeJ @mcreativej.com · 09/01/2025

Aww yeah! I’m so excited to hear that. What’s the theme for your gallery wall?

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Melissa at MCreativeJ @mcreativej.com · 09/01/2025

Behind the scenes I’m taking advantage of the unbelievably sunny day to snap pictures of a new #embroidery kit I’m working on. I’m calling this one Butterfly Garden and it’ll be an intermediate embroidery kit. Would you want to stitch this floral garden with butterflies?

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Melissa at MCreativeJ @mcreativej.com · 28/12/2024

I spent the afternoon learning how to set up a slate frame with Artful Fox. It was tricky and time consuming, but I think it’ll be worth it. Have you used a slate frame for needlework? #embroidery #needlework

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Melissa at MCreativeJ @mcreativej.com · 22/12/2024

Wildflower Stems stick and stitch patterns came in second, Moths stick and stitch patterns came in third, the Forest Forage stick and stitch patterns were fourth, and my book How to Embroider Texture and Pattern was fifth!⁠ ⁠ Did your favorite item make the top 5?

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Melissa at MCreativeJ @mcreativej.com · 22/12/2024

The most popular item (by far!) was the Cyanotype Botanicals beginner embroidery kit. Can you believe 602 of these babies were stitched by you?!⁠

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Melissa at MCreativeJ @mcreativej.com · 22/12/2024

Top 5 best sellers of 2024!⁠ I love digging into the data behind my small business. Often times my day-to-day workings, kit prep, and markets have me knowing what's popular in the moment, but sometimes the year end data surprises me.⁠ ⁠

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Melissa at MCreativeJ @mcreativej.com · 21/12/2024

While I'm feeling rather run down and tired as the year comes to a close, this has also left me feeling excited for what 2025 has to offer.

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Melissa at MCreativeJ @mcreativej.com · 21/12/2024

- You could find me at 5 trade shows. I travelled over 13,700 miles!⁠ ⁠ - I wrote 2 books this year. DIY Embroidered Shoes was published this fall and another book will be out next year (surprise!)⁠ ⁠ - @brwnpaperbag.com and I hosted Camp Craftaway⁠

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Melissa at MCreativeJ @mcreativej.com · 21/12/2024

- MCreativeJ grew to 295 stockists/ retailers that carry my work⁠ ⁠ - I taught 111 workshops (this is actually a few less than last year!)⁠ ⁠ - I vended at 16 craft fairs and pop ups⁠ ⁠ - I launched 19 new embroidery kits and patterns⁠

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Melissa at MCreativeJ @mcreativej.com · 21/12/2024

Year in Review⁠ I know 2024 isn't over yet, but things have slowed down enough for me to dig into the numbers of my small business. This year has felt great in many ways and hard in so many others. I saw growth for my small business and realized there were a lot of successes throughout the year.⁠

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Melissa at MCreativeJ @mcreativej.com · 14/12/2024

It will walk you through:⁠ - how to get started with embroidery⁠ - thread, needles, and transferring the pattern⁠ - a glossary of 32 embroidery stitches with step-by-step photos⁠ - 20 landscape patterns that also have step-by-step instructions & photos⁠ - how to finish the embroidery in the hoop

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