When Michelle Fleischer first picked up an embroidery needle, she wasn’t chasing a business idea. She was searching for healing. After experiencing a miscarriage and struggling with secondary infertility, the former corporate trainer turned to crafting as a way to quiet her mind. What began as a therapeutic outlet soon became the foundation for Embroidery Babes, a creative small business rooted in connection, resilience and community.
“I picked up an embroidery kit to honor my loss,” Michelle said. “It was the first time in a long while that my mind stopped spinning. I felt calm and in control.”
What started as a single rainbow-themed project soon grew into custom embroidered designs and upcycled baby clothes. A stranger’s compliment on her handmade jacket sparked her next step: an Instagram page (@embroidery.babes) and, eventually, craft shows. “I went from doing embroidery for therapy to doing 20 orders at a time,” Michelle said. “It was amazing, but it also took away the peace embroidery once gave me.”
That realization inspired her to shift her business from custom orders to community workshops focused on mindfulness and creative self-care. Embroidery Babes events, like the recent Threaded Together gathering, invite participants to connect, create and heal through shared stories and stitches.
Held in partnership with Kara Kushnir from A Work of Heart Counseling in Oradell and Allendale and Jillian Martinez from NJ based non-profit, Courage in Time, the Threaded Together event brought together women who have faced infertility, miscarriage and infant loss. Both Kara and Jillian have collaborated with Michelle on past wellness-focused gatherings, combining their backgrounds in mental health and support work with her passion for creative expression. Kristen Delventhal, Kara’s sister, served as the other presenter for A Work of Heart Counseling and spoke about her infertility journey.
“I wanted to create a night where no one felt alone,” Michelle said. “So many women go through this silently. When you hear others speak openly, it’s incredibly powerful.”
The sold-out event at Felina in Ridgewood featured more than 15 local sponsors, from therapists and acupuncturists to wellness professionals, all united by a mission to support women’s emotional health. Together, they raised $2,000 for Courage in Time and Resolve, a national infertility advocacy organization.
For Michelle, the response was overwhelming. “We had more people wanting to attend than we had space for,” she said. “It showed how much this kind of community support is needed.”
The evening was filled with emotion as guest speakers shared stories of loss and hope, while attendees embroidered keepsakes symbolizing their resilience. “Being surrounded by people who understand, without judgment or the usual ‘just relax’ advice, meant everything,” Michelle said.
Beyond special events, Embroidery Babes continues to host wellness-centered workshops such as Unwind Your Mind, blending creativity with conversation on mental and emotional well-being. Michelle also collaborates with schools, corporations and local organizations to bring mindfulness through making.
“Embroidery is more than a craft; it’s an act of self-care,” she said. “You’re creating something with your hands, getting off your phone and taking time for yourself. That’s the kind of wellness we all need.”
Through needle and thread, Michelle and her partners continue to weave what matters most: connection, creativity and courage stitched together by community.
For more info and to register for future events follow @emboidery.babes on Instagram or visit embroiderybabes.com. To donate and support Courage in Time and Resolve visit: Courageintime.com and Resolve.org