About The Stitcher's Muse

The Stitcher's Muse Needleart is an embroidery, cross stitch, and lace making supply shop located in beautiful downtown Nanaimo, British Columbia.  We carry a good inventory of patterns, books, threads, fabrics, and notions (needles, scissors, sewing supplies etc.).  We love "pretties" - why use a utilitarian tool when you can use a beautiful one?  We enjoy special orders and have been known to bid on items on ebay for customers, or track down obscure or discontinued items.  If you don't see an item on this site, please contact us via email or telephone, and we'll do our best to track it down!

Staff:

Dione van Beynum Brown is the shop's founder and owner.  She has done needlework since the age of 5 or so, and loves to do fine needlework and occasionally lace making.  Experienced in a number of different needlework techniques, she also teaches at the shop and loves to put supplies together for customers, and track down unusual supplies.

Carol Grant Powell is the shop's assistant manager.  She loves Hardanger, cross stitch, and antique samplers, and is the shop's expert on quilting and sewing construction.  She teaches classes in Hardanger, Brazilian embroidery, and silk ribbon embroidery (amongst others).

Darlene Jones is a sales associate. Newer to stitching, she started out doing cross stitch but has now discovered a passion for Hardanger and various other counted techniques.

History:

The Stitcher's Muse was founded in 2008 by the owner, Dione van Beynum Brown, in response to frustration at finding needlework supplies locally.  Originally located at #7 - 70 Church Street, the shop rapidly outgrew its premises and when opportunity arose, moved next door to #4 in October 2010.  Our new space is brighter, larger, and has 4 large windows opening onto the street.  We are fully wheelchair accessible from the street (though we may have to move a few racks to accommodate).  We also have a door opening from the lobby of the Dorchester Hotel.

Website history and credits:

While we had a website from early on, it was basically just a description of our location and new items and listings of classes and workshops.  Dione had always planned to have a site with shopping capabilities, but it proved very time-consuming and expensive.  In the fall of 2010, she decided to really get going and design the site herself.  What followed was months of research and learning, culminating in a decision to use Prestashop (an open-source shopping cart software program).  After trying many available themes and even trying to write her own theme, in June of 2011 a new theme was released by DaPurPixel, which seemed to suit all needs.  After considerable alterations in colour and graphics, the site is set to be launched at the end of July 2011.

Welcome, and enjoy your browse.  If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask!

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