Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Vacek.
Hi Ashley, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I’ve always been pretty creative, so I really don’t think it was a surprise to anyone that I ended up turning my passions into something I can share with others through my small business. Little Light Embroidery came to life shortly after I was gifted an embroidery kit for my birthday in March of 2019. I was working my first full time job, the front desk of the counseling office for a children’s advocacy center, and I was in desperate need of a hobby, community, and a fresh start. When I moved back to Austin in August of 2019, I found myself taking on some embroidery commissions for friends and family while I was on the hunt for my next full time gig. Between now and then I’ve done a whole lot both professionally (I did eventually find that next full time gig) and personally, with little light embroidery being a bit of a mix of both.
In 2021, when visiting a favorite coffee shop to hang out and work on some embroidery designs, I came across a cute little pop up market in the parking lot, and a sign that said they were looking for new vendors for future pop ups. It seemed like fun, I definitely needed to get outside more, and at that point, I had way more finished embroidery than my walls could handle, so I figured why not give it a try. I fell in love with the small business community here in ATX almost immediately (once I got over the nerves and imposter syndrome). Markets have been the absolute best part of my business – meeting other vendors, seeing the way that my work resonates with others, and yes, getting me outside more.
What started as a way to be creative after a long day of work, has become a small business inspired by my favorite things, daily life, self care practices, and being my most authentic self.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Relatively smooth! There of course have been struggles, like 3 hour outdoor markets in 104 degree weather (without making a single sale), getting really excited and putting a lot of work into a new opportunity just for ticket sales to flop and the event to never happen, the pieces I love that get me strange looks at markets. But I’ve definitely grown a lot through the journey. I’ve tried to find creative solutions to the struggle of never having enough time to do all the things I want to do (I’m a big multi-tasker), and it’s helped me re-prioritize the things in my life. Each piece that I make is completely handmade, which means that during busy market season it’s really hard to find time to do my day job, embroidery, and make time for the relationships and community that is important to me. So, I bring my embroidery with me to book club, started up a bi-weekly queer craft night with a friend (which has been nearly going 3 years strong! @queercraftnight), and have started listening to audiobooks more to keep my hands and eyes available for more stitching.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I mostly specialize in line work and lettering embroidery. I’m also really big into not throwing anything from my process away and incorporating as much re-use into my work as I can. There aren’t many folks out here in Austin that do pop ups with hand embroidery, so that itself sets me apart from others.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
Shop small, shop queer! The best way to support your community is by putting your dollars directly back into it 🙂
Contact Info:
- Website: https://littlelightembroidery.square.site
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/littlelightembroidery
