Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelly Murray.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I was a single mother, raised my kids in this town of Linthicum that I now have my shop in. This space was occupied by a hallmark store for the 40 years prior my sewing shop. People are still upset that they can’t buy candy here. I was a trauma nurse for 28 years working the night shift because it was conducive for homework with the kids and dinner. With my limited time during those years, I sewed costumes, made a few quilts and enjoyed crochet. When my son died at 21 from a surfing accident my world turned upside down. My daughter, my closest person, my triathlon training partner, my travel buddy moved to Scotland to coach lacrosse for a year and when she came home she started her own family and we struggled to stay close. I continued to work at trauma because I didn’t have the bandwidth to shift, ultimately the bottom fell out. Grief, I’ve learned, can turn to physical pain in all your weak spots. A knee replacement in 2019 led to an opioid addiction which led to the end of my career. I’m in recovery in many ways putting one foot in front of the other because apparently staying in a fetal position is not an option. I used all my retirement money to open my shop, believing my town could use a bit of community and knowing creativity is good for mental health. I teach sewing and crochet, but I also listen to people and share stories. I still teach nursing students and work in forensics. I hope to retire to just the shop eventually. My Mama, way into her elder years continued to crochet and gifted lap afghans to nursing homes. I honor her in this shop of mine, Stitch Your Legacy.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The actual creating and running a business was more challenging than I expected. The cost was double my estimate. Flooring , painting, and adding two bathrooms became an ordeal when the person who built out the handicap bathroom didn’t know the correct dimensions and it had to be redone. I spent so much money I fought for a ten year lease because it will take that long to recover my investment. The original plan was to sublet to other creatives to help with overhead but with no takers I just had to figure it out. I’m still figuring it out. I thought, I’m smart, I can save a life – this is a piece of cake. What I didn’t know is anything about business or even what licenses I needed. I should have at least found a mentor. I researched the demographics and went with my gut.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I teach beginner sewing, a fundamentals course that I’ve narrowed down to three classes. I find people really want to dive into their interest, whether it’s clothing or quilting. I hold small classes and private to continue their sewing journey. I don’t push any expensive sewing machines. Personally, my favorite sewing is upcycles, creating a unique piece from reimagining a new way style or fit.
I also teach crochet and create an environment conducive to it. I host weekly free friendly fibers to make space for the like minded creatives.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
I accept all donations. lol. I should have created a non profit probably but I do support people if they want to host a class in something ie: amigurumi they keep 70% and the house keeps 30%.
Pricing:
- 50$ sewing classes
- 30$ crochet classes
Contact Info:
- Website: https://StitchYourLegacy.com
- Instagram: Stitchyourlegacy
- Facebook: Stitchyourlegacy
