Today we’d like to introduce you to Joyce Zappellini.
Joyce, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I started sewing in Jr. High School in a small town in Canada – Vernon, B.C., and have basically been sewing ever since. In High School, I would sometimes sew for friends. From then on, I have made a lot of my own clothes, and later, as a single Mom in Vancouver, B.C., I started sewing to support myself and my son.
Eventually, with a couple of sewing friends, we started a company called “Moonwind Designs” and we came up with some fun clothing ideas and would have “Fashion Parties” and people would order custom fitted garments from our designs.
Eventually, the other 2 friends went off on other adventures, and I continued by myself.
For a while, I did other things to supplement my income, and slowly stopped making clothing for other people.
Then, an opportunity came along for me to visit some dear friends in California, and I fell in love with California and the WEATHER!!
So, I packed up my sewing machine and moved to Los Angeles to stay with my friends (my son at the time was 17 and wasn’t feeling as adventurous as me, so he moved in with his Dad).
I started sewing for people again, and eventually came upon an ad for teaching sewing to kids, and I applied. I was hired, and that morphed into me eventually running the business for the lady who started the kids sewing classes (as “Sew Fun, Sew Easy”) and we eventually created an agreement that I would buy the business from her.
Since the business was growing and growing, I found a larger space, and moved into the current location in 2003) and the name became “Sew Creative Cafe” (she wanted to keep the original name).
Today, we teach kids from the age of 6 and up (and adults too, of course – separately, of course). Mostly sewing, but also quilting, knitting or crocheting if they want to learn.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It has mostly been a smooth road, but of course there have been some “bumps in the road”. When the economy took a down turn, it affected the business, but throughout it all, I am still here!
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Sew Creative Cafe – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Primarily we are known as a children’s sewing school, but I also offer adult classes. Sewing is the primary class, but there are many facets to sewing, and it can include a lot of similar things.
I am focused on the “craft” of sewing – meaning I want people to learn many aspects of sewing – it isn’t always as simple as people think. I am not trying to teach fashion design, but it can certainly lead to that!
I am very proud of the progress that my young students make, and the creativity that inspires in them. Some of these young kids are amazing!!!
We also do Custom Embroidery (done by my husband, Michael).
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
No specific plans for the future – just want to be a peaceful place for people to come and develop their sewing skills into whatever that means for them.
Pricing:
- Kids classes are $23/hour, but I encourage ongoing classes, which are $22/hour if they pay for more.
- Adult classes are offered in 6 x 2 hours classes for $250
Contact Info:
- Address: Sew Creative Cafe
1726 Aviation Blvd.,
Redondo Beach, CA 90278 - Website: www.SewCreativeCafe.com
- Phone: 310-376-0065
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: joyceSewCreativeCafe
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SewCreativeCafeRedondoBeach/
- Twitter: @joyceofsewing
Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
