J.Duke Hand Embroidery

Somehow I’ve been entrusted with NINETY EIGHT (yes 98!!!!) Christmas ornaments this year! My Etsy has been popping off and I’m so so grateful for the many internet strangers who have trusted me to make keepsakes for them. The two ornaments in this photo are on their way home to Alaska, which is just really really cool to me and sheds the imposter syndrome right out of my brain! I had 11 customers from previous years return this season to buy for new babies of their own and to gift sweet keepsakes to their friends and family…that has meant the world to me as a maker 🩷

It’s been a very busy few weeks over here stitching SO many ornaments. We put our Christmas tree up last night so I was able to snap some photos of these before I packed them to ship. These are just 5 of the 28 I’ve made so far this season, and I’ve got 21 on deck to be made. It is so sweet to create Christmas keepsakes that will be cherished for decades to come 🥹

This is the most unique stitching project I’ve been commissioned for so far—patches for a wedding vest. The groom wanted an ode to Chris Hillman with the peacock design, and I also stitched up some patches representing 80s sci-fi with the Krull glaive and Thulsa Doom snakes. Also yes—those ARE light sabers being used as branches! These took a lot of trial and error in making and designing. I decided to stitch these using dark gray wool felt as the base and stick and stitch stabilizer to transfer my designs and give a little stiffness while stitching. I’m so glad Morgan trusted me to create these pieces to pair with his beautifully tailored custom vest and jacket!

I’ve been MIA lately, in part because LIFE, but I also did a big and refreshing social media break. Truthfully, business is really slow these days, which isn’t ideal…but what can you do?! I’m rarely posting on socials or seeking out custom work because parenthood and stay-at-home mom life is TIRING 🥴🤣 but I have really been enjoying more evenings reading books instead of busting every free hour for custom orders. I was asked in February if I could do a custom stitch for a pair of Blundstones as a bridal gift. I was so excited to pick up my needle for something new! These boots were a challenge to stitch on, but I think the end result was spot on and I’m so excited to see photos of them on the wedding day! Here’s to more fun and challenging pieces this year—y’all reach out to me if you’re wanting something. I’m here, I promise 🤍