Meet the Maker: Amanda Silva

Tell us a bit about yourself!

I'm a 30-something, mom from Connecticut, who has always loved crafts and the arts. I learned to knit when I was in college (from my now mother in law!), and then branched into hand embroidery and needlepoint in my twenties. With a background in retail merchandising and e-commerce, and a collection of needlepoint designs in my head that didn't yet exist in the marketplace, Goodpoint was born!

What drew you to this particular craft or technique?

Needlepoint is incredibly relaxing, especially when the canvas is stitch-painted, which just means each canvas intersection is precisely painted with one color. This makes it easy to stitch (versus having to count from a chart or pattern), and becomes more like paint-by-numbers with thread! I've always struggled with anxiety and mental health difficulties, so finding needlepoint as a way to decompress, get off my phone, and create something beautiful was incredibly rewarding.

What makes this kit special or unique?

This is a hand painted needlepoint canvas, that has been stitch painted for ease and clarity. Your kit comes with pre-cut (again adding to the ease!) 50% Silk / 50 % Merino Wool threads, which stitch up beautifully and feel great in your hand as you work on your project. When stitched to the outer border, your project will end up as a 4" x 4" design, which can be turned into a coaster or ornament (note: this can get expensive if you bring it or send it to a needlepoint shop to be professionally finished, but you can "self-finish" following tutorials online!), or more easily (and economically!) framed in any frame with a 4" x 4" mat opening.

Do you have any tips or tricks for crafters using this kit?

If the diagrams and tips on the included instructional postcard don't resonate, there are tons of video resources online (YouTube, Instagram & TikTok are all full of video tutorials!). If you are in an area with a needlepoint shop, I always encourage you to go in for a visit and see the vast offering of needlepoint canvases and thread lines. Many offer additional instruction and/or classes as well!

If you could be anywhere creating this kit, where would it be?

Where to find Amanda at Goodpoint Needlepoint:

Instagram: @goodpointneedlepoint
Website: Here