Super talented Breanne Lee was born in the Philippines but raised in California. She currently lives in SoCal where she attended Cal State Long Beach and studied fashion merchandising. With her knowledge she gained while studying fashion merchandising not only did she learn about the business of the fashion industry but she took the time to create her own creations on the side.
When Breanne was in high school, she mentioned that she toyed with the idea of being a fashion designer. Like most of us who have a desire to become a successful person in our dream field, she felt that she wasn’t talented enough and that her ideas were not good enough to make it in the fashion profession. Although the fashion designer route did not pan out, Breanne’s passion for art and fashion led her to fashion merchandising studies instead, which she felt was the safest option.
“In one of my courses I had an assignment to rework a piece of clothing. I bought a needle and some thread, taught myself to embroider and that was the start of what would eventually become stitchandstuffs.”
While Breanne taught herself to embroider, she shared that her lola (grandmother) made intricate tablecloths and dollies and taught her how to crochet when she was little. As Breanne got older and refined her crochet skills, she grew to appreciate her lola’s skill even more. Breanne also expressed that trying to figure out how her lola constructed her work was like trying to decipher a puzzle.
“She’s inspired me a lot and taught me a lot about my culture and heritage, which I’ve drawn inspiration from and tried to incorporate into my work.”
Prior to her blooming business stitchandstuffs, Breanne wanted to become a fashion blogger and while that didn’t exactly happen, she ended up sharing her stitching skills by sharing her custom work as a social media type of blogger.
“I was very bad at posting regularly. But the joke is on me now because small businesses rely heavily on frequent social media to market.”
The name Stitchandstuffs was created by Breanne herself back in 2014 when she wanted to open her own shop on Etsy where she could sell her creations. She mentioned that she wanted a name that was fun and easy to remember. Although she had an Etsy shop for awhile, she shared that she’ll be launching her website stitchandstuffs.com on October 1, 2023 which she’ll be using a storefront when she’s not making appearances at pop ups. Her website will also showcase past custom made and personal projects and informative updates.
“I started selling embroidered things first, hence the “stitch” in “stitchandstuffs”, but I didn’t want to limit myself to one medium, so I added the “stuffs” to include all the other things,” she said. “I knew I wanted to explore in the future. And I’m glad I did because I love working with so many different mediums.”
And stitchandstuffs is the perfect name because Breanne not only makes and sells crocheted hats, bags and embroidered hoops and frames but has even made her own clothing like this crochet cardigan that was reworked from a blanket.
Out of all her current handmade items she has in her inventory, her favorite item to make and sell is her ‘build a bag.’
When Breanne has a pop up shop, this build a bag feature lets customers choose from a variety of handmade square pieces of different colors and patterns which are then assembled into the most unique, stylish and cutest bags.
“I assemble it for them on the spot and they are able to take home a one of a kind custom bag.”
Speaking of pop up shops, Breanne had the privilege of doing a few pop ups at the Ube Fest, And then LB, and Creative Babe Market. While having the chance to showcase and sell her handmade items, she learned more about who her target audience is and how to improve her marketing skills. She also looks forward to what she gains out of each of her pop up experiences. While her set up has improved at pop ups, she says she gets her inspiration from other fellow business owners who also showcase their work of art.
When Breanne first started out, she recalls how her nerves were more focused on if people would like the products she made. As she’s grown with her business, it’s now more centered on conversion due to doing bigger events and the costs of these events. While it’s the less fun part of having a business but also important, she has to think about how much sales are being made and if it makes sense to financially keep doing some of the things she’s doing.
With running a business comes challenges, doubt and a little bit of pressure but for Breanne, she continues to give herself grace and take it one day at a time. She faces doubt and is her biggest critic but with such a supportive group of friends, family and customers, it can lift a little bit of that doubt off.
“I have regrets sometimes looking back for not believing in myself more. But things happen for a reason and I believe that the route I took only helped me in the end.”
Breanne not only hopes to make her stitchandstuffs business a full time job but would love to have a team who can help her because being a one woman show is challenging. Not only is she making products but she is also her own photographer, merchandiser, social media coordinator, accountant and so many other things.
“One day it would be great to have a team of my own so I can focus more on the development of my products,” she said. “That’s why it’s taken me so long to get my website up and running.”
Breanne’s next event will be on October 15th, at Mayumi Market, taking place at Commonspace Brewery. Check out her Instagram @stitchandstuffs for more details.
“It will be a super fun event celebrating Filipino American History month,” shared Breanne. Check out me and other fellow Filipino vendors!”
I myself hope to make it out to one of her pop ups and buy my own one of a kind stitchandstuffs brand item!
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