This past Monday and Tuesday night’s I taught a beginner embroidery class at Gather Goods Co. Students got to pick one of four of my designs that I assembled into kits for them. I assembled 26 kits over a few days. Kits included a #5 embroidery needle, a 3″ wooden hoop, a pre-printed piece of fabric with the design of their choice on it (either a hydrangea, zinnia or butterfly bush flower), the accompanying embroidery floss in the colors they would need for their design and a card with the corresponding embroidery floss numbers on them in case they need more – though they shouldn’t. I also included a take home guide with instructions and a picture guide with illustrations of a few additional stitches beyond the basic ones we learned in class: the satin and running stitches.

For all the classes I teach I am for them to be laid-back and accessible, relaxing and conversational but still walking away with a new project to grow into. What’s cool about embroidery is you can keep it as simple or make it as complicated as you want learning a myriad of complicated stitches if you chose to. I just enjoy it as a relaxing craft that keeps me off my phone in the evenings and allows my brain to relax and get into a flow state.

Because the gift shop is small and the front room that is usually merchandised with gift products also functions as the classroom I have to take down all the merchandise on the front table and bring in folding chairs and additional tables for the class. For each class I provide light snacks and drinks. At the beginning of each class we go around and share recommended books, shows and podcasts as an icebreaker and to get to know one another better. It feels wonderful to connect with others and have authentic conversations around a variety of topics, plus everyone leaves with new things to discover as well. At the end of the class everyone is able to shop the gift shop and they get 10% off items in the store if they purchase them at that time.

Here are some additional stitches that are good to know and practice for embroidery, though again, it doesn’t have to be complicated:

And some additional items I recommend for embroidery projects:

– A needle minder which is essentially a magnet that helps you to not lose your needle
– Embroidery scissors to help you trim your thread ends
– A pouch to keep your projects nearby
– A clip on light for making things easier on your eyes
– Extra needles because they are easy to lose
– An embroidery floss kit and case with so many colors

Sign up for a class

If you’re local and live in the Raleigh, Cary, Durham, North Carolina areas you can sign up for another class at Gather Goods Co on the website here including this Beginner Embroidery Class but also other craft and flower arranging, business and photography classes here. If you’re not local you can sign up for the free beginner embroidery guide PDF that I created for the class and get added to the waitlist for the online class at the bottom of this post.

Last but not least, I’ll leave you with this pretty embroidery by Cristin Morgan. I love the organic squiggle shapes and the colors in this piece. It’s a perfect illustration of how a simple pattern with bold color can really make a stunning statement.

On Tuesday February 13th I am hosting a small maker’s market inside The Mayton Inn from 6-8pm in downtown Cary, North Carolina. You’ll be able to meet and shop from local makers selling their wares. There will be jewelry (including permanent jewelry), art, ceramics, leather bags, candles, gifts and more. Below are the Triangle area local makers that will be there:

Daniella Cho of Bezalel and Company who makes jewelry from a variety of materials and also will be doing permanent jewelry at this event (think dainty bracelets that are forged together so it stays on).

KangJiahn Studio is the creative art studio from artist Jiahn Kang. She will have nature inspired fine art.

Ware Ware is the whimsical and functional line of ceramics made by Katy Petrisin in her Raleigh studio.

Weather and Story is a line of handcrafted leather bags made by Lainey Wright a newcomer to the area.

Jessie Jellicorse is a Raleigh based fine artist whose work is often created with frayed textile edges.

I met Melissa of postmodernform when she attended a Vision Board class at Gather Goods Co a few weeks ago. At the end of the class she casually dropped that she also made candles and left me some samples. I was impressed by the packaing and the depth of scent profile in her candles. She recently moved to Durham from San Francisco.

While You’re Up is a sourdough based micro bakery from Oona O’Toole. Her baked goods are outstanding and a must have. My husband may have bought out all her liege waffles at the last pop event she participated in with us. Oona moved here during the pandemic from L.A.

Lastly, I’ll have a table with my nature-inspired art and cards as well as gift goods from the shop.

The Mayton Inn is located at 301 S Academy Street in downtown Cary, NC. The Galentine’s Maker’s Market will be held on Tuesday February 13th from 6-8pm. Hope to see you there!

If you are in the Raleigh, North Carolina area tomorrow night (or tonight, depending on when you read this), I hope you will join us for our Holiday Maker Market in the parking lot at Gather from 6:30 to 9:30 PM. We’ll have over nine local makers selling their wares: peppermint bark, textiles, jewelry, kids items, letterpress greeting cards, leather accessories, hand carved wooden spoons, and more.

In addition we’ll have cider and inside the shop local artist Jordan Grace Owens will have a DIY paper doll ornaments making station. You can register for the ornament portion here. Also in the shop we’ve received a lot of new merchandise and ceramics, perfect for gift giving. Everything inside the shop (not including products from the makers market) will be 20% off.

Vendors include:

– Cat Call Collective – Beautiful, simple and whimsical letterpress greeting cards and holiday cards
– The Apothecary’s Kitchen – small batch peppermint bark made with dark and white chocolate and organic candy canes. Made by my husband here in Raleigh.
– Ask The Trees – hand carved wooden kitchen utensils and implements
– Shop Windblown – modern and minimal jewelry

Vendors continued:

– Redden Goods – hand dyed textiles, pillows and rugs
– Freshly Given – handmade leather clutches and accessories made from recycled leather
– Bird & Beau – sweet and colorful jewelry and sparkly accessories
– Tyger Alexis – custom kids clothing and accessories made from original patterns and and hand cut and sewn here In Raleigh.

And finally, in addition to our event, our neighbors in the N. Person St. area will also be hosting small events at their shops as well and there will be carolers. So bundle up and bring your friends, and we’ll see you tomorrow.

Participating neighbors: Edge of Urge, local salon, lumina clothing, oak city cycling, Pelagic Beer, Person Street Bar, Raleigh City Farm, so & so books, Standard Foods, William & Co, Wine Authorities & Yellow Dog Bread.

We have some fun First Friday events planned now through December, the first kicks off on Friday September 2nd from 6:3o-9:30pm.

We’ve partnered with Tin Roof Teas here in Raleigh to offer a DIY chai tea & spice blending bar. We’ll have drinks and of course you get to make your own blend to take home with you.

Walk-ins are welcome but if you want to ensure a slot (if say you are headed to dinner before or after) you can pre-register at our website here.

This is going to be a fun night and in addition to making your blend you will learn the history and origin, flavors and properties of the tea.

Mark your calendar and see you there!