Penny Linn Podcast

This week on the Penny Linn Podcast, Krista is joined by Arielle and Zahabiyah, the founders of House of Color Needlepoint and the community behind Stitching in Color. 🪡✨

They share how an Instagram DM sparked a friendship that grew into a thriving community for stitchers of color, why they launched House of Color, and their mission to bring more representation and diversity to the needlepoint industry. From building a designer collective and growing a new business to creating meaningful spaces for connection, this conversation is full of inspiration, entrepreneurship, and heart.

Plus, they chat about launching their first collection, balancing business with life, the future of House of Color, and how we can all help make the needlepoint community more welcoming for everyone. 💙

This week on the Penny Linn Podcast, we're joined by Missy of Classically Missy — Collective designer, mom of three, and one of the sweetest voices in the needlepoint community. 💙🪡

Krista and Missy chat about how a move to West Texas and a love of creativity led her to discover needlepoint, what it was like stitching before the hobby exploded online, and how she made the leap from stitcher to designer. They also talk about balancing a full-time job, motherhood, and designing, why local needlepoint shops are so important to growing the community, and the inspiration behind some of Missy's newest canvases.

Plus, Missy shares a sneak peek at upcoming designs, including the much-anticipated pumpkin canvas, travel-inspired pieces, faith-based designs, and more. Whether you're dreaming up your next project or simply love hearing the stories behind your favorite designers, this episode is one you won't want to miss. ✨

This week on the Penny Linn Podcast, Krista kicks things off with a solo update on the highly anticipated Eric Carle collection launch, plus a candid conversation about the current state of the needlepoint industry. From production timelines and growing demand to what’s happening behind the scenes with canvases, she shares an insider look at the challenges and excitement shaping the industry right now.

Then, Krista is joined by new Collective designer Mackensie of Bloom & Stitch to celebrate her launch Friday, June 5th at 12 PM ET! 🌸🪡 Mackensie walks through the inspiration behind the collection, her design process, and the stories behind some of her favorite pieces. It’s a fun conversation about creativity, building a brand, and bringing fresh new designs to the needlepoint community.

This week on the Penny Linn Podcast, Krista kicks things off with a solo update and all the behind-the-scenes details from the opening of our new New York store 🗽✨ Then, she’s joined by her longtime friend Lita of Nashville Needlepointer — the finishing expert who has built an incredible business in the needlepoint world.

Krista and Lita chat about how Lita grew her finishing business, built her community through teaching and online classes, launched her Substack, and turned her passion for needlepoint into so much more. It’s a fun, inspiring conversation about creativity, entrepreneurship, and all the ways Lita continues to make stitching more approachable for the community 🪡💙

https://nashvilleneedlepointer.substack.com/56e7bbbe

This week on the Penny Linn Podcast, Krista sits down with Collective designer Natalie of Everyday Natalie Jane! 🪡✨ They chat about how she found needlepoint, designing some of the community’s favorite canvases, life in Birmingham’s booming stitch scene, and the story behind her iconic Christmas Countdown canvas. Natalie also opens up about stitching through grief, finding comfort in creativity, and shares some very exciting personal news 💙 Plus: rapid fire needlepoint takes, upcoming designs, and lots of laughs along the way!

In this episode of The Penny Linn Podcast, Krista is recording on the go from needlepoint market — joined by Emily, Dylan, and Olivia for a chaotic, behind-the-scenes look at what it’s really like to shop market.

They break down their real-time haul, sharing what they bought, what they missed, and how they decide what actually makes it onto the Penny Linn site — plus a fun side conversation on Disney, dream designs, and what they wish they could find more of.

From quick-fire buying decisions to limited inventory stress, they chat about balancing data, gut instinct, and customer demand, along with their favorite finds from the trip!

In this episode of The Penny Linn Podcast, things start a little differently — Krista is on vacation, so her mom steps in to kick off the episode with a special guest intro before handing things over.

Then, Krista is joined by Sydney, the founder of The Checkered Canvas. Our newest addition to the Penny Linn Collective, whose path to needlepoint is anything but traditional.

From growing up riding horses to nearly pursuing pre-med, she shares how she unexpectedly found her way into canvas design — and turned a creative hobby into a business.

Together, they chat about:

• Turning niche interests (like equestrian life and Formula 1) into designs
• The “why not make it a canvas?” mindset
• Building confidence as a new designer

They also dive into the stories behind her designs and how following your interests — even the unexpected ones — can lead to something much bigger.

In this episode of The Penny Linn Podcast, Krista records live from New York City, sharing a behind-the-scenes look at Penny Linn’s Times Square billboard and a sneak peek at the upcoming NYC storefront!

Then, she’s joined by Bridget, Senior Manager of Licensing and Logistics and one of Penny Linn’s earliest team members.

Bridget shares her journey from advertising to joining Penny Linn in its early days, her transition to a remote role, and how she’s grown into overseeing wholesale, buying, the collective, and licensing.

They chat about what it really takes to run a fast-growing business behind the scenes, balancing big ideas with execution, and why every team needs someone willing to say “no.”

This episode is a candid look at the operations side of Penny Linn — and the people who make it all happen.

In this episode of The Penny Linn Podcast, Krista kicks things off with a quick life and business update, recapping the recent Mackenzie-Childs launch and sharing a behind-the-scenes look at prepping for Penny Linn’s New York City store opening — including a Times Square billboard moment.

Then, she’s joined by Stephanie, founder of Spellbound Stitchery, for a conversation about building a creative business that doesn’t follow the rules.

Stephanie shares how she went from working in local government to designing needlepoint canvases full time after COVID, starting with custom work and eventually creating a brand known for its bold, witchy, and unconventional designs.

They chat about designing for a niche audience, trusting your creative instincts, and why staying true to your style — even when it doesn’t fit the traditional mold — can be your biggest advantage.

This episode is a fun mix of creativity, business, and a little bit of magic. ✨

In this episode of The Penny Linn Podcast, Krista kicks things off with a candid solo update — and a big milestone. She shares the surreal experience of Penny Linn being featured in Forbes, reflects on the emotional high of that moment, and opens up about the challenges that came with it.

Krista also gives a deep dive into the current state of the needlepoint industry, breaking down the unprecedented surge in demand and the very real growing pains behind the scenes — from supply chain bottlenecks to months-long production timelines and the pressure of predicting inventory nearly a year in advance.

Then, she’s joined by Kyra of Kyra Cotter Designs — one of Penny Linn’s original Collective Designers and a close friend — for a conversation about growing alongside the brand and building a business within a rapidly evolving industry.

Together, they dive into:

• What it was like joining the Penny Linn Collective in the early days
• How the designer–retailer relationship works behind the scenes
• The realities of long production timelines and forecasting demand
• Growing a creative business while balancing real life
• How the needlepoint community has evolved in recent years
• Turning a side passion into something much bigger

This episode is equal parts behind-the-scenes business breakdown and honest conversation about what it looks like to grow — both as a brand and as a creative — during a time when the entire industry is changing in real time.