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This week, we meet Deborah, a custom embroiderer/seamstress, who owns Deborah’s Custom Creations and Faith Threads.

How cute are these? And only $2! Visit her etsy site for more information or to order.

What Deborah does: I do all kinds of embroidery – mostly custom. This includes upcycling Denim jackets with embroidery and crystals; wall hangings and other “thread art”; embroidered jewelry; monogramming, personalization, and company/business logos on shirts and caps; children’s and adults clothing, home decor. One popular item is pet portraits and other items with animals on them.

A sub-business in my embroidery arena is making Stoles for Pastors, and decor for churches. This part of the business works under FaithThreads Embroidery.

I also do Home Decor sewing – pillows, cushions, drapes and curtains, etc. I do some alterations and hemming. One of my specialties is creating Christening/Baptism gowns out of wedding dresses! Each one is unique!

How did she end up doing this, and why did she pursue it? I love being creative, and when I worked out of the home as a Pastor, I had little time for my needlecrafts. When I was on leave having my twins (yes, I know Tina, owner of Your World Ordered!), I began doing more sewing, and was given a very nice sewing/embroidery machine. I offered my services to my friends, and after a couple of years got a commercial 12-needle embroidery machine. This is when FaithThreads and my stole-making business really took off. I open up a couple of ETSY shops, and also began to sell a bit on Ebay. I also do several vendor fairs each year with cash and carry items, which also gives me exposure for Custom work.

This is one of 4 jobs I do, all part-time. I also teach at Delaware County Community College, and have gone back to work as a Pastor part time.

Deborah says she works about 20 hours a week doing this, and her income is in the $10k range. She sees herself doing this until she’s not able to do it anymore.

What she likes best: It’s flexible, and I get to be creative, and help others be creative as well as I help them define their vision for their project! I love thinking up new projects and designs!

Unexpected hurdles or challenges to overcome: The biggest downside is not really making a profit yet, as I’m still paying of my initial investment of equipment and supplies. The other is that all of my work gets really busy at Christmas and Easter!!! I don’t get much sleep then, between grading final papers/exams, preparing for the church Holy Days, and the many projects and gift orders which come in around that time of year!

How does she plan to grow in this job? Eventually, one of my jobs will begin to take precedence over the others, but I’m not sure which one it will be. This job will probably always stay part-time, because it’s not a steady income each month.

Anything else you’d like us to know…if we have readers considering doing something similar to this? Decide if you want to sew/craft for others. Some customers are more picky than even you are! Your goal must be their satisfaction, even if it requires a do-over! It’s also essential to have a dedicated workspace in your home which is off-limits to the family when you are not there! Nothing is worse than an expensive project for a customer getting ruined by a toddler’s new-found cutting skills! I have found it helpful to join online embroidery groups where I glean many hints and tips, have made friends in other embroiderers, and where I buy most of the designs I use. There are a lot of business tips there, also.

Thanks Deborah! I am just loving meeting all these entrepreneurial women. Visit us next Wednesday for another Work at Home woman…..