Melissa Galbraith is the innovative force behind MCreativeJ. With a focus on nature-inspired hand embroidery, Melissa's creative journey was nurtured from a young age, crafting with her mother. As an adult, she rediscovered this passion, shifting from personal projects to educating others through workshops and DIY kits. Read more about how she built her business and her commitment to creativity and community.

How did you get started with your art?

During elementary school, I was fortunate enough to have a mom who was interested in crafting and wanted to share those skills with her daughters. My sisters and I had the opportunity to try everything from embroidery to bobbin lace, quilting to paper mache. As an adult, I used to work a day job in social media and communications. I found myself missing that tactile experience of crafting. Thankfully, the skills my mother shared when I was younger helped me get back into hand embroidery and fall in love.

For the past six years, I've been sharing my skills with other makers through workshops, kits, and hand embroidery books. I love being able to pass on crafting skills to fellow makers. My favorite thing about teaching is that 'ah-ha' moment when something clicks.

At what point did you realize that you could turn your craft into a business?

When I first got back into hand embroidery, I made embroideries for myself. I started to have so many finished pieces of artwork that I didn't know what to do with them. I started selling embroideries at a small farmers market for way less than it took me to make them.

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As time progressed, I realized that selling finished embroidered artwork was challenging and not my favorite part of embroidery. I often had people stop by my booth at a show and express how much they wanted to learn to embroider. So, I pivoted my business to teaching and making embroidery kits. I love designing patterns and putting it all together. I love seeing what other makers create with my patterns and kits.

How do you define success for your business?

I like to draw success from the three key pillars of my business: teaching, kit making and wholesale.

Teaching: Booking workshops that are well attended and seeing the excitement in the eyes of those learning to embroider.

Kit making: Each year, I release a handful of new embroidery kits. While I know they won't all be a raging success, it is exciting to see some become new fan favorites, like my Cyanotype Botanicals kit.

Wholesale: Finding new shops to carry MCreativeJ kits and patterns while also having current stockists place reorders because their customers love my products.

Where do you find inspiration?

I pull inspiration from nature and my surroundings. I live in the Pacific Northwest and many of my designs are inspired by walks with my pups around our neighborhood. Other designs are inspired by travel—I love visiting the desert whenever possible.

What's one piece of advice you wish someone gave you when you first started your business?

Each business will have their own path to success. What might be right for one business might not be right for yours. It is important to try out what works for you and cut out what doesn't. This trial and error process can be scary, but by keeping the stakes low to start and building things up can make it less scary.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to begin selling their art or product?

Know your worth! Don't charge what others are charging just because it's the going rate. Figure out what your product/artwork is worth in materials, time, effort and skill and charge that price.

What's something our audience would be surprised to learn about you?

I have a second embroidery book out fall 2024! It's called 'DIY Embroidered Shoes' and it's all about embroidering your shoes.

How do you handle perfectionism?

I don't think I'm a perfectionist. I know what I like and will work on a design until I'm happy with it. Sometimes, I will set a project aside and come back to it later, and that break will help give me clarity.

What's something that surprised you about running a creative business?

You don't have to be good at wearing all the business hats. Find what you are good at and then hire people to do the other things you're not good at or where your time is better suited.

I've now reached a point in my business where I have a virtual assistant who helps with wholesale outreach. I also have a friend who runs booths at markets and helps with some of the production process that I don't enjoy.

What advice would you give someone about handling the highs and lows of running a business?

Know your audience and your product. I've found that certain times of the year are more popular than others when it comes to embroidery kits. Summer months can be slow. Know when your product is in demand with your customers.

If something isn't working, change it up—pivot! There is nothing wrong with adjusting a plan, changing a product or reworking.

Has someone ever criticized your work?

All the time. I've heard people say, 'I could make that,' 'That's not my type of design,' 'I don't like this style.' I used to get offended and feel sad. Now, I just say, 'Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this.'

You can't satisfy everyone, so make something you're proud of and enjoy. That joy will shine through to those who do love your work and want to buy it.

Can you share the name of a supplier or vendor that you use for your business that you just love?

I love using DMC embroidery thread. All of my embroidery kits include full skeins of thread. I love using DMC because they have a huge range of colors, have been releasing new threads in the past few years, and all of their thread is colorfast, which means the colors won't bleed if the thread gets wet.

What brings you joy?

Clothing embroidery! I love upcycling and mending my own clothing with hand embroidery.

Thanks, Melissa! You can learn more about her work at mcreativej.com.

Editor's Note: This interview has been edited for length and clarity. Photos provided courtesy of Melissa Galbraith.