GeekGirlCon 2018

Hello again, friends!

At the end of October, I attended my favorite convention in the Seattle Area: GeekGirlCon!

Oh hey! My dress matches my blog background! hahaha

You all probably know by now that I love this convention. (Here's my post from last year.) It is such a welcome retreat from all the bad news and regular life by surrounding oneself with other awesome people. Plus it's a great way for me to see many friends I don't get to see anywhere else!

With Hilary from The Cutie Life & Mia from XOMia at the JordanDene booth

I've mentioned before that Geek Girl Con, regardless of what the name implies, aims to be inclusive for as many people as is humanly possible. In geeky spaces (unless you luck out and find a really good community) there's not a whole lot of focus on the female geek and even less so on the trans and non-binary geek. For some, popular geeky spaces can feel really toxic when there's always the chance that we could be attacked for existing in them. But Geek Girl Con aims to combat that and show the world that there are in fact more kinds of geek than people realize. That you can be welcomed as any kind of geek that you identify as, and you have space in this community. There's no gatekeeping allowed, and it feels like a safe space to be whatever kind of geek/nerd/fangirl/etc. you see yourself as.

Geek Girl Con mission statement:

"GeekGirlCon celebrates and honors the legacies of under-represented groups in science, technology, comics, arts, literature, game play, and game design. We do this by connecting geeks worldwide and creating an inter-sectional community that fosters the continued growth of women in geek culture. GeekGirlCon provides a safe space to spark conversations around social justice while encouraging unabashed geekiness."

Each year GGC comes up with more ways to have fun and interact with all our favorite fandoms and fellow fans. Whether it be through panels, meet-ups, sing-alongs, the DIY science center, the introvert room, or a trip to the gaming area. There's something for just about anyone!

Gaming Area at GeekGirlCon

It doesn't hurt to step outside your comfort zone and learn from another's perspective. And there are so many panels offering up that option. Basically, Geek Girl Con gives you all the tools you need to be more confident about yourself and more empathetic towards those different from you.

I attended the panel "Building Your Own Themyscira: Connecting With Other Geeky Bosses" moderated by Jordan of Jordandene and featuring several awesome geek bosses. It was a really great panel and I learned quite a bit about connecting with my fellow geeky creators.

Pictured: Jenny Cheng @Fanmailbox | Jaime Cordero @glitterjedi @EspionageCosmetics | Lisa Granshaw @Geekfold | Robyn Warren @GeekGirlStrong | Mallory Cohen @Malaray | Jordan Ellis @jordandene

As someone with anxiety, it can get overwhelming at times to put yourself out there or engage when everything seems to be too much. It surprised me to learn that a lot of others (even those who seem the most successful) have experienced those very same feelings and have found ways to overcome them. It's really inspiring!

This year, the convention also unveiled new "Do Not Photograph" orange lanyards and stickers for badges to make sure that those who are not interested in being photographed can preserve their privacy. I think it's an awesome idea! I feel super weird photographing during the con not knowing who may get into my photo that may not want to be seen, and this is a good solution. Adding this to the already established photo and video policy stating you must gain consent before photographing anyone at the con is a great step forward and I hope more conventions make this a part of their own policies.

Other than the things mentioned above, GeekGirlCon is one of my favorite places to discover new artists and see some of my favorites! I have quite a collection from past shows and got a few additions this year too. I love how my little gallery is coming together!

Katie Clark is always a ray of sunshine with her brightly colored and geeky inspired pieces! It was lovely to chat with her again

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So much has happened over the past few months. Both of my parents have been hospitalized (which I won't get into), and its been really stressful for all of us. When I found out that there was a Steampunk convention called Steamposium happening the same weekend as Geek Girl Con, I was really excited because my mom loves Steampunk fashion. I was disappointed we couldn't attend it together, but I made sure to get her a ticket. Shortly after, however, the convention was canceled! GeekGirlCon was very kind and made space for some of the displaced vendors as well as offered a discount to Steamposium attendees. It was a huge setback for many of the exhibitors, but I'm glad that the GGC staff was able to step in and give them a backup plan. I'm also glad my mom was able to experience some of the vendors! At least we'll be ready when the next Steampunk event happens!


If you're interested, you can purchase tickets now at the discounted price to GeekGirlCon's 10th year show on November 16&17 2019! Check out www.geekgirlcon.com for more information.

Let me know in the comments if you've ever attended GeekGirlCon or plan/hope to attend some day! I'd love to see you there!

Till next time,

Stay Crafty!

❤❤❤Kelsey❤❤❤

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Disclaimer: I was not paid for my opinion on GeekGirlCon, but I was provided with a press pass in exchange for my coverage of the event. All opinions are my own and aren't influenced by this. I genuinely love GGC and will continue to attend as long as I'm able. The volunteers that make this whole convention possible are awesome and I have so much respect for what they've been able to create!

Friday Feature With Chic and Geeks

Hello friends!

The end of the year is upon us and I have one more feature for you:
Wendy from Chic and Geeks!

I was first introduced to Wendy from seeing her projects featured on a Star Wars craft Instagram called Craft_The_Force. Initially I was impressed by her awesome seat belt covers:

Star Wars inspired seat belt covers

but soon after discovered that she also makes awesome cosplay pieces for humans and pets, bows from geeky fabrics, cosplay props, and much more!

A little while ago I won a giveaway from her for a seat belt cover and I was so excited that I knew I needed to share her talents with the rest of you!

How amazing will this Chewbacca seat belt cover go in my Minivan Falcon?! (Yes, that is the actual name I have given to my vehicle, don't be a nerfherder.) It'll go perfect with my sunshade that's the gang in the Millenium Falcon through the window!

Punch it, Chewy!

Now, let's get to know the creator!

Tell us a little bit about yourself and what you do?

Hello! I’m Wendy, a Rollins graduate, a Disney Passholder, and a Peter Pan fangirl. I live in Florida with my trusty furpanion, Sadie. She's a Ridgeback who loves trying to make friends with all the squirrels. Sadie is a big girl, and the stores don’t sell collar flower bows or bowties that look proportionate to her body. So, I started sewing dog bows for Sadie specifically. This then branched out to selling the bows to her Doggy Daycare location. The pattern and shapes have evolved over the years, and with positive feedback, Chic and Geeks Etsy shop opened. From there, I didn’t want to limit myself to just dog items, so I started adding more geek items and Star Wars costumes.

Rey Resistance Inspired Costume handmade to order | Resistance Inspired Rucksack Bag with Adjustable Strap

What/who inspires you?
Putting on a pot of coffee and searching Google images or Pinterest, sparks the creative juices.
Movies are filled with so many things I want to replicate too.

What was the process like of finding your niche? Do you have any advice for those still searching for theirs?
Every year Disney has a special event,  Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party. You can trick or treat and wear costumes in the park! Instead of spending money on a cheap bagged costume, I made them. My friends needed help with their outfits, so I would make theirs too. Each year, the costumes kept getting more elaborate. The best year was when we all cosplayed to a Tim Burton theme.
Halloween is my favorite holiday, and with that love, I started sewing costumes. Each year, my skills improved. With Practice, Patience, and Passion, my hobby turned into income.

For those that are in searching for their niche - find what you love and keep at it.
This is a quote from my friend:
"Doubts stops the dreamer.  If you are discussing your dream, you aren’t doing your dream. The world gets robbed when you don't chase your dreams ...its actually selfish to not chase your dream. Your dream makes the world a better place. Follow Your Dream and Find your Purpose! Put that in your head every day and you will be That much Closer to your dream! "
- John-Erik Moseler

What are some of your favorite finished projects?
Their are a few projects that was really all about who you knew. I used to work at a restaurant as cook. During the summers, the restaurant made lunch for the Orlando Magic Summer Camp program. I was asked to make Patrick Ewings Hall of Fame cake. I just started baking cakes on the side as a hobby. It was the time Ace of Cakes was on TV. I would watch how they created things, and said, I can do that too. The request was daunting, but I knew I had to say yes to this project.  I’m finding a lot of my highlights in life came from taking risks and doing things out of my comfort zone. Another example is my cousin had a friend who needed a costume for the Eukanuba mascot to be featured at the AKC dog show. The stores don’t make mascot patterns, so I learned quickly and as Tim Gunn says, “make it work”. 

The one thing that I make and use the most is my dog poo bag holder. When Sadie was a puppy, I would carry multiple bags on our walks. I needed something to put them all in so I could actually enjoy going for a walk. I created a bag that dispenses the poo bags. It attaches to the leash with a carabiner to hold the weight. Sadie does her business, and I put the waste bag in the tote and I’m back to the walk. It’s super easy to use and machine washable.

Who are some of your favorite creators?
Everything by Colleen Atwood is jaw dropping. From Tim Burton era to Memoirs of a Geisha to Snow White. The Evil Queen costumes are extensive in details from the bone work to the beetle shells individually sewn onto the gown.  I’m also a big fan of military looks, and really enjoyed Michael Wilkinson version of Terminator Salvation. He also designed Tron: Legacy - another brilliant film and costumes.


*Bonus DIY!*

A few days before this post went up, Wendy shared this incredible Piranha Plant she made with a fake pumpkin! Of course I had to ask how she made it!

"I took my Halloween Fun-kin Pumpkin and paper mache over the holes. Spray painted it red, and added the white spotty details. The fangs are glued foam board. It attaches to a PVC pipe, wrapped in green duct tape, and added faux leaves. The leaves are patterned like the beanstalk. The pipe is supported in that canned foam Home Depot sells. Super easy and extremely affordable."
Now I really want to make one!!


A huge thank you to Wendy for participating in the interview and for holding the giveaway that brought us together! I love my seat belt cover SO MUCH and I highly recommend that if any of you are interested you should check out her Etsy: Chic and Geeks!

You can also find Wendy on Instagram @chicandgeeks/@goonies and follow her Facebook page


Let me know: Which seat belt cover would you choose?

And that's it for 2017! I have many more features to share next year that I hadn't gotten around to yet. There are so many amazing geeky creators out there!

❤❤❤Kelsey❤❤❤

Friday Feature With Freak & Pocky

Hi everyone!

Today I'd like to introduce you all to one of my favorite geek crafting buddies: Kelly from Freak and Pocky!

Kelly and I met a few years ago in a Geek Girl Bloggers group and have been friends ever since! She and her mom built a really awesome company called De Boop Shop that sells felt toys, hair accessories, keychains, masks and much more! And now she's opened her own store with her husband that sells adorable crochet poppets of some of the best geeky characters!

Aren't they so cute???

Tell us a little bit about yourself and what you do?
Hi there! I'm Kelly aka Pocky, the pocket healer to my tanking husband and proud momma to a couple of sweet rescue dogs, Pixel & Skylar.

In August I followed my creative dreams and opened an online shop,  Freak + Pocky, handcrafting geeky accessories and collectibles. My most popular items are the adorable crochet dolls, called Poppets, that are inspired by some of our favorite fandoms & fellow geeks.

What/who inspires you?
I do most of my crocheting while binge watching some of my favorite fandoms or Twitch streams, so it's no surprise that those are my biggest inspirations for our poppets.

But if we are talking about who inspires me, personally, I would say the two biggest ones are Felicia Day & Kevin Smith. They are both huge geeks that, despite their awkwardness, figured out a way to do something they love all while encouraging others to do it too!

What was the process like of finding your niche? Do you have any advice for those still searching for theirs?
That's the funny thing. I always wanted to make geeky things, but if you had asked me a year ago if I thought I would be making Poppets I would've asked "What's a poppet?".

Back in March 2017 I was working on some geeky hats to put in a booth I was sharing with my mom at our local Comic Con. But I also scored tickets to the Jay & Silent Bob Get Old podcast for my husband and me, so he gave me the wild idea of making Jay & Silent Bob amigurumi to give to the guys that inspired us to pursue our geeky dreams.

I almost didn't make them because I was afraid I wouldn't have the time, but somehow I gave in and ended up finishing them minutes before grabbing our seats. Well, they loved them so much that they shared a picture on Instagram of them posing with the dolls (and calling them Poppets) and instantly my phone was blowing up with messages from strangers asking about these dolls and what else I could make. Of course it took me a couple of more months before I finally took Kevin Smith's advice and pursued my dreams, and that's when the Freak + Pocky shop started.

My best advice for someone looking for their niche is this: just be open to anything! Although I have loved making amigurumi for years, I fought the idea of that being my creative pursuit. But once I gave in to the idea (thanks to the nudge from Kevin Smith) the ideas started flowing and things started happening.

What are some of your favorite finished projects? 
The Jay & Silent Bob Poppets will forever be a top favorite of mine. They were a challenging project and also changed my life! And let's face it, they are pretty stinkin' cute too!

And besides some of the custom pieces I've done recently, I'm pretty stinkin' in love with the Sock Elf & Galaxy Master Poppets. It's just something about those ears!

Who are some of your favorite female creators?
Well it should go without saying that two of my top favorites are Felicia Day & Zooey Deschanel. But let me tell you about a few of my not-quite-as-well-known favorites.

If you don't know Cody from Lu & Ed, you're missing out! She's an amazing momma to a couple of incredible geeklings, and makes the most adorable monsters for her shop. I'm definitely wanting to get one of her large Mon-stors to store some of my yarn stash.

A more recent favorite is Evelyn from Stitchy Geeks. She's so stinkin' adorable and makes the cutest plushies and geeky ears. And a little known fact, she's in the running for biggest Poppet collector.

You can find Kelly and follow all of her and her husband's geeky endeavors @FreakandPocky on Twitter and Instagram or like Freak & Pocky on Facebook
Then buy yourself a Poppet (or 3!) from Freak & Pocky on Etsy and Storenvy! She also makes custom and mini poppets and has a few really cute hats that I love! 

A humongous thanks to Kelly for the interview! It's been wonderful watching her grow as an artist over the past several years of our friendship and see her make some really awesome things! Also her puppers are super cute if you need another incentive to why you should follow her! But seriously Kelly is just the sweetest and I'm so happy she's part of my geek gang!

Which Poppet is your favorite? 

I'd have to say mine is Dobby! Like Kelly said, there's just something about those ears!
Let me know yours in the comments!

❤❤❤Kelsey❤❤❤

"Eleven's Eggo Hat" now available on Ravelry!

Hey Stranger Fans! 

I know it's been a while, but with all the hype over Stranger Things 2 I finally put up the FREE pattern for my Eggo hat on Ravelry! It's the perfect project for all your binge-watching needs!

CLICK HERE to get it on Ravelry! 

Tell me:
Have you seen the newest season yet?
Are you mad drooling over the "Triple Decker Eggo Spectacular" like I was???

❤❤❤Kelsey❤❤❤

Geek Girl Con 2017

Hey there Fanpeeps! (Is this a good term? IDK)

Last weekend (September 30-October 1) I went to Geek Girl Con (GGC) in Seattle!

(I also made my Star Wars skirt from a sheet, but we'll talk about that later!)

This is my third year attending, and my first with a press pass, and it has been the best one yet! It's also been the biggest with over 12,000 people in attendance. I was so excited to be able to hang out with my fantastic friend Hilary from The Cutie Life and her husband Fletch and see so many friends and make a few new ones! You can read her post about the con here and watch her video on her youtube channel here

With all the negative and disastrous things happening in our world recently, it was nice to escape into a nicer reality for a while. If you've ever wanted to know what it's like to go to a place where everyone is respected and included regardless of the factors that usually divide us: this is it. And it is a beautiful thing. 

If you haven't heard of GGC, or have brushed off the idea of a con aimed at a female audience being any good, then you're really missing out! Geek Girl Con is first and foremost inclusive. That means no one is left out of any geeky discussions or events regardless of their physical and mental states or abilities. I say geeky, but you don't even have to identify as a geek to be a part of this convention! (I'm mostly just saying it out of convenience.) The convention name also says "girl", but while this convention is mostly aimed at females (because we are so often overlooked in geek society), no one is excluded because of their gender identity. All are welcome! There are gender neutral bathrooms! And one of the best things is that it's completely run by volunteers!!! I think that's pretty impressive.

The convention hosts activities, booths, and panels with a wide range of subjects in anything from science and mathematics to fashion and feminism. A lot of times the subjects aren't mutually exclusive and they overlap to form something new and creative. It is really family friendly and even has a science center for kids to experiment and learn new things. No matter what interests you have, there is probably something for you at GGC. If anything you will walk away from the convention having learned something new! 

The Panels:

There are always so many really cool and introspective panels to attend at Geek Girl Con. Not to mention that the rooms are named after extraordinary female characters! Last year we attended a panel called "Women in Pixar" and this year we attended one called "Looking for Leia". The panel and it's documentary namesake showcased an incredible group of female Star Wars fangirls from all walks of life. You can watch the same inspiring and tear-jerking preview here:

Looking for Leia preview reel from What Do We Want Films on Vimeo.

We also got a really rad poster for attending! As I am a huge Star Wars fangirl myself, I approached the director of the film, Annalise Ophelian, after the panel to talk about being interviewed and she told me to talk to anyone if I saw them on the con floor. I kept missing them, but as we were making our way to (I think it was) the Cosplay competition I was stopped by the team for an interview! Of course I told them about my Lightsaber Scarves!!!

Mega huge thanks to Hilary for capturing this behind the scenes look at my interview and for waiting for me! I was nervous and fidgeting but she helped keep me grounded and hyped! Thank you so much Hilary & Fletch!!!


The Artists:

There are SO MANY remarkable artists and I wish I could support all of them!! If you've been looking for new fandom art, look no further than the Exhibitor floor at Geek Girl Con. A few of the artists I've known since my first GGC 3 years ago and have grown close to in the passing years!

Chrissy from Winged Warrior is one of those and she is the absolute sweetest!!!

Not only that but she makes amazing art. At this point I will have a wall of her prints in no time! (I just need some more frames.) Her Disney Princess series is one of my favorites. I must collect them all!

At the booth next door was Art of Nikki Ward /Geek Fire Labs, who also does fantastic prints and had a spectacularly geeky assortment of products. Last year I got lip balm and this year I got a Leia print and a wax melt in "Wonderland". It smells amazing!

Some others artists I would like to mention are:
Erika Rae Heins- gorgeous Tolkien and fantasy inspired art. She also makes some pretty cool upcycled steampunk clothing items
Bunny from S2Heart Designs- Hilary introduced us and she makes super cute chibis and other designs including cute penis pins (I promise that's cute! I should have gotten one!)
Jayme Twins art- really fun and simple character profiles from multiple fandoms and more!
Katie Clark Art- Bright, colorful prints and original paintings inspired by video games and much more
The Gorgonist

The Vendors:

Not only will you find great art at the con, but you will probably walk away with some really cool fangirl swag as well! This year was especially exciting for me because I would finally get to meet two spectacular small business owners that I have looked up to for years: Jordan from Jordandené and Elena from the Colorful Geek!

These ladies kill it with their shirt designs and other products!

Fanmail was across the exhibitor hall and had a really fun wheel of prizes. I got a bath bomb!

I love seeing what new surprises they have in each box! You should check them out if subscription boxes are your thing!! I snagged a beautiful bag that says "All men must die, but we are not men" from them and I love it so much! It fit perfectly with the shirt I bought from The Colorful Geek that says "Mother of Dragons".

At Geeky Caticorn I got this REALLY CUTE Fangirl necklace! I absolutely adore it!!!

Planned Parenthood had a really fun booth where you can take a picture with Phillomena (sp?) the Birth Control mascot!

And so much more!!!

The Fashion Show:

Saturday evening at 7:30 was the Fashion Show which featured designs from Little Petal, Haute Geek, Jordandené, Booty and the Geek, and Elhoffer Design with Makeup by Espionage Cosmetics and styling by VAIN Hairstyling. It was a really fun experience! I loved seeing the diverse group of models. They were all beautiful! (But very hard to photograph because I only had my phone! lol)


The Environment:

I have never felt so comfortable at a convention as I do at Geek Girl Con. Granted, I haven't attended many conventions in the past, but Geek Girl Con is the most welcoming I have ever experienced. As someone with anxiety (specifically social anxiety) I often find it hard to fit in with strangers in large groups. That has never been the case with Geek Girl Con. I feel like you could talk to just about anyone and have things in common with them. Almost everyone is friendly and wonderful and it is so very comfortable. (I say almost here because there's always some people who would rather keep to themselves, and that's completely OK!!!) This is why I keep coming back. I feel like you can make meaningful connections with people you hardly know, and there's not a whole lot of other places where you can find an experience like that. 

Crochet BB-8 unit by @elliemcphee7437 on Instagram

Being a geek girl is weird sometimes. It feels like we have to constantly remind people that we exist, that our credibility is up to date, and that we're adhering to whatever guidelines there are for us. Geek Girl Con reminds us that not only do we exist, but we have always been here, will continue to be, and we define ourselves and our geekyness.

It doesn't hurt to surround yourself with lots of like-minded people either! Hilary introduced me to a few new awesome people, and I finally got to meet Mia Moore from XO Mia who came all the way from Texas for this show! She makes super cool cosplay and is all around awesome! I bought pins from both her and Hilary. (Support your friends!!) It was wonderful to have met all these amazing women and be surrounded by positivity for the weekend. 

Going back to reality is hard even a week later.

Let me know in the comments if you've gone to Geek Girl Con in the past and what your experience was like OR if you would like to have a similar convention in your area! 

Spread the geeky love around! 

💗💗💗Kelsey💗💗💗

Closet Cosplay: Happy Hobbit Day!

My dear Fangirls and Fanboys! Geeks and nerds!

Today we celebrate the birthday of two very important hobbits: Bilbo and Frodo Baggins!!!

It's also the 80th anniversary of the Hobbit being published!

Because of that I decided to put together a little closet cosplay of the unexpected adventurer himself: Mr. Bilbo Baggins!

I do eventually want to make this costume even better (hairy feet and all!) by dying the pants, sewing a real hobbit shirt + vest, and adding other details.

I am currently re-reading the Hobbit, which I haven't done since the movies were released. It's a lot more interesting this time around! Before I found it terribly boring for some reason. Now I love picturing Peter Jackson's versions inside the book situations. (Thorin especially.)

In order to take these photos I did, in fact, walk around our woods in my bare feet! (Occasionally with flip-flops.) I also sat on a family of pill bugs in that tree and kept shouting "SMILE" at my phone. (Plus many, many obscenities!) I'm sure the neighbors think I'm crazy, but the citizens of Hobbiton also thought Bilbo was crazy, and look at his story! It was an adventure in itself trying to take these pictures.



I leave you with me channeling my inner Martin Freeman:

Don't take it personally though! My DSLR was acting up, so I had to use my phone instead before I lost the light! Also flipping sneaky birds is what Mr. Freeman would want! 😉

Hope you had a happy Hobbit Day! 

Don't forget to eat your second breakfast!

Elevensies!

Luncheon!

Afternoon Tea!
Dinner!
Supper!

(And maybe a midnight snack while you're at it!)

💖💖💖Kelsey💖💖💖

Custom Dresses and Friday Feature with Make it Sew Design

A while ago I won a giveaway from my friend Lisa at Make It Sew Design on Instagram. I was given the option of a custom hoop or custom designed clothing, and I chose DRESSES! We brainstormed patterns for a while because I had a lot of ideas. At the top of my list was something inspired by my favorite carnivorous plants, Venus Fly-Traps, and Lisa came through magnificently!

I'm obsessed!! was in love with it from the very first preview she sent me!

She brought my dreams of being a real-life Poison Ivy into existence and I am so grateful! Super handy for closet cosplay as well!

And did I mention the back? Because it's gorgeous too

The second design is something I've been dreaming about for a while: an eyeball dress!

Yes, eyeballs! I'm one of those weirdos, mister! (And don't you forget it!)

I have a crush on all things Pastel Goth, but I don't own much of it at all. So this dress makes me super happy knowing I can wear it whenever I'm in the mood!

Also it goes perfectly with these eyeball earrings I made!

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Now that you've had a glimpse of what she can do, it's time for you to meet the maker!

Tell us a little bit about yourself and what you do?
I’m Lisa and who’s behind Make It Sew Design, which is my creative outlet that I explore in my spare time. The whole thing started when I had the idea for an embroidery hoop that would be perfect for a friend’s birthday/recent move (see Domicile hoop?) and was surprised to find it didn’t already exist. I decided to make one myself and friends later convinced me to try selling it. Now it’s three years later and my shop features embroidery, clothing, and even a bit of jewelry. I make things and when I think “hm someone else might like this?,” I put it up and see what happens.

What/who inspires you?
It is a bit of a mix of everything/one that I’m already naturally drawn to. The name of my shop gives it away but I am a huge Star Trek fan (and Star Wars and plenty of other pop/nerd culture) so a lot of the time I’ll be randomly inspired while watching or reading something. For example, I love horror movies and saw The Witch as soon as I possibly could when it opened in theaters. The minute the credits rolled, I felt absurdly compelled to make a Black Phillip hoop. I finished the first one in two days of near non-stop stitching. I have so many ideas in my head (and random lists all over the place) of things I want to create but for whatever reason, there’s usually only a few that compel me enough to take thread to needle (or stylus to screen).

What I’m more recently completely loving is seeing how creative and driven the Nerdvember community is. These are amazing women who I only knew of through a nerdy clothing Instagram challenge (like you!) and holy hell- they are all so inspiring!!! For example, @stephaniebyday is making pins @bemagicalstudio and @theyseekherthere is making all sorts of accessories @loganarchicago. It’s hard not to be inspired when I open my IG feed!

What was the process like of finding your niche? Do you have any advice for those still searching for theirs?
I tend to dive straight into trying new things so for me it’s about finding which actually sticks. Though this all started out as only embroidery, I wouldn’t claim any of what I do is my niche… It’s a simplistic way of thinking about it, but as long as whatever you’re doing brings you some sort of satisfaction or energy, why not keep trying. From there, it depends on what your goal is. Additionally, I wouldn’t worry if you’re intimidated by something at first. I always assumed jewelry making was something way beyond my skills until one of my friends was awesome enough to show me how.

A few items available in the Make it Sew Design Etsy store

What are some of your favorite finished projects?
 My favorite hoop I ever made was a custom Krampus hoop for a coworker near the holidays. It was unlike anything I had made at the time and really tested my mindset of what I thought I was capable of. In general, I’m just proud that people (especially complete strangers) seem to want things I made. My general strategy is to make things that I would personally want so it’s thrilling and makes me so happy that anyone else feels the same.

Who are some of your favorite female creators?
SO MANY!!! This is tough as there are so, so many amazing female creators so I’ll just stick to ones that inspire me the most to be better at embroidery: @jessdewahls @seaofdoom @tinycup_ @ladyjanelongstitches @alainavarrone

And also, a shout-out to @uttinibikini for making AMAZIING Star Wars clothing and creating a curiosity in me to make my own!


You can find Lisa's shop on Instagram @makeitsewdesign and her personal account is @ridiculisa
You can also browse her shop here: Make it Sew Design on Etsy
And if you've ever considered having a custom piece of clothing designed, I highly recommend her shop and skills!


A gigantic thanks to Lisa not only for taking the time to design two amazing custom dresses but also for allowing me to interview her! I cannot say enough good things about her! I think she's fantastic, and you should all go follow her on Instagram and Etsy!!!

And a special thank you to my mom/photographer for putting up with me being completely awkward and uncomfortable being photographed in public and still getting great shots of me anyway! I love you!

❤ Kelsey ❤