Greetings, my fellow artisans! My name is Barb, and I am the owner of "The Needle & Thread Emporium."

I adore bold patterns and vibrant colors; they are essential in my life and are reflected in all my creations. My style is quite distinctive. I love modern, edgy designs, but I also have a fondness for the whimsical and the primitive.

In my limited free time, I delight in painting, sketching, both hand and machine sewing, quilting, crocheting, needlepoint, and antiquing. I possess a thirst for knowledge and take great pleasure in attending workshops and classes. One of my passions, or rather obsessions, is finding and selling unique, hard-to-find products. In the early years of eBay, around 2001, I launched a highly successful store called All Neat Things. I specialized in sourcing rare antiques and unique vintage items, which I sold worldwide. I absolutely LOVED my job! However, in 2004, I ventured into opening a brick-and-mortar store in Port Colborne, Ontario. This endeavor lasted only a year, as I found it too demanding to be away from my three young boys and husband constantly.

Life has certainly taken a few new turns for me. Since 2021 we've moved from the town I called home for 21 years, Port Colborne to Garson (Sudbury, Ontario). August 2024, we relocated once more to Renfrew, Ontario.

I firmly believe that everything happens for a reason, not by mere chance. For years, I longed to return to my passion for retail and the hunt for unique products, confident that one day I would.

Then, in May 2023, I took part in a wool appliqué workshop with the Sudbury Quilt & Stitchery Guild. The concept of wool appliqué captivated me, as did the use of these magnificent threads and fibers for embellishment. Having not hand-stitched in over two decades, and never having tried wool appliqué, I instantly knew I had discovered my new passion.

As I delved into wool appliqué, I quickly realized the difficulty in sourcing those beautiful threads, fibers, and wools. The more I searched, the clearer it became that this was my next venture.

My creation, The Needle & Thread Emporium, debuted online on August 1, 2023. Originally aimed at online sales throughout Canada, it expanded to offer in-person shopping at my home by appointment. I take pride in being the Canadian Distributor and Importer for House of Textile Arts - Tentakulum Painters Threads. I began receiving an overwhelming number of requests to host embroidery workshops, which have proven to be very popular! My first workshops were held in my dining room.

My workshops are informal and filled with laughter, offering a chance to learn a new skill and meet new friends. In these workshops, I guide participants in transferring designs onto fabric of choice, introduce them to a variety of threads and fibers, and teach various needlepoint stitches. They also learn to think creatively and not to fret over perfection.

My husband Dan and I are currently converting our 600 sqft garage into an elegant boutique and workshop space. This transformation will facilitate in-store shopping, stitch days, retreats, and workshops. Dan and I are thrilled about this new chapter. A key feature of this project is ensuring an accessible entry for all to come and enjoy. The Needle & Thread Emporium brick-and-mortar store is scheduled to open by February 1, 2025. Stay tuned for opening day, hours, workshops and their schedule!

Yours Truly, Barb