“To be creative is to let little pieces of your heart go and place them into each project you make.”

— Pat Bravo

Next up… is a “Creative with Aloha” who received all the creative genes and is the songstress of my family… a real comedian, my big sister!

Meet Joanne Campbell. Mother of Irish twins. Ink collector. Maker. Crafter. Photographer. Dog mom. Black cat rescuer. Antique hunter. Needle and thread aficionado. Founder of @bothyneedleworks and Bothy Photography in Edmonton, Alberta.

A true #mamamaker, Joanne tells stories through needlework, custom designed modern family portraits, and unique home décor. Her witty and sometimes risqué cross-stitch quotes are some of the best. Joanne’s attention to detail is impeccable, and her wedding, pets and family portraits are very life like!

Eitherway, Joanne’s creativity shines through her Bothy businesses and I’m proud she is chasing her dreams and pursuing her creative talents. A great reminder to all the crafters out there, that monetizing your artistries online, is an amazing opportunity!

Q&A with Bothy Needleworks

Self-taught or mentored?

“Self-taught! I had both my children in the fall, which meant for cold weather and tiny newborns. As such, these Alberta winters kept us cooped up in the early months and I found myself going a little stir-crazy. I received a cross-stitch sign for our wedding reception, and I loved the idea of learning. I purchased my first little pattern, and read up on it, and before you know it I was on my way! Now I’m happy to create my own patterns and build portraits for customers from scratch. I am currently teaching myself embroidery stitches, which is a lot trickier!”

Who are your niche clientele?

“I honestly thought that my niche would be crafty, (a wee bit dorky), “gramma-hobby” people like me. I have been pleasantly surprised tho, with men and women, young and old, ordering and purchasing cross-stitch crafts from me. One kind lady had an engagement portrait made for her brother and he shed some tears when he opened it. I think that the crafty people appreciate the time and effort, but I find that everyone loves to see a small, pint-sized, stitched version of themselves. I’ve been lucky to have a wide array of interest, but ladies are definitely my best customers.”

What's your favorite part about cross-stitching?

“I love a challenge, and I love how concentrated and detailed the work is. Counting stitches, matching up colours and patterns, and taking your time is very therapeutic and calming to me. I enjoy the difficulty of some projects, and I feel a great sense of accomplishment when my customers love their portraits or cross-stitch gifts.”

What inspired your business name Bothy?

“My husband and I traveled to gorgeous Ireland for our honeymoon. We stayed in Tyrone Co. where both our families are from. The little cottage we stayed in, cozy and nestled in to the Sperrin Mountains, was a refurbished barn called The Bothy. After research, I realized that Bothies are popular all over Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. They are safe places, huts, shelters, that are open to anyone in these wild, lonely places. I loved that. We have a sign hanging in our living room, the Campbell Bothy, because our home is our shelter and safe place in this wild world. It really resonates with me, and it felt like the perfect name for my little business.”

Favorite Food or Drink?

“Oh man! I love Long Island iced-teas, But my major go-to is coffee! Gots to have the coffee! And my favourite food would be a juicy steak with mashed potatoes. (But I have an unfortunate sweet tooth as well).”

Bothy Needleworks portraits are the perfect wedding/anniversary gift, Christmas ornament, or family heirloom, truly capturing a moment in time!