Meet Melissa, the maker behind Canyon Creek Goods. Melissa uses Pendleton wool to create cozy goods with a rustic feel. She grew up in Oregon and spent most of her adult life living on the East Coast of New Zealand. This is where her passion for wool began. Currently residing in Flagstaff, Arizona, with her husband and two daughters, she taps into the inspiration gathered from her travels to make gorgeous southwestern accessories. Through a series of questions, we got to know a bit more about Melissa and her business.
Tell us a little bit about Canyon Creek Goods:
Canyon Creek Goods is a celebration of my life experiences & an expression of my love for fine woolen fabrics, southwestern designs, and handcrafting. I make Western accessories & cozy goods to connect women with the natural benefits of wool. I love creating practical goods that are fashionable, high quality & stand out in a crowd.
How did you get started?
Canyon Creek Goods was born out of my dream of owning an a-frame cabin & furnishing it with southwestern decor. After my husband and I purchased Canyon Creek Cabin in 2019 (pictured above), I began upcycling furniture & re-upholstering it with Pendleton wool. Once we filled the cabin with furniture, I used the remaining fabric to create household goods & garments.
The interest in these goods led me to sell them to local markets and retailers, and eventually, I opened an online shop.
What does your day as a maker look like?
I work out of my studio in Kachina Village, surrounded by a giant ponderosa pine forest. My days are busy and rigid in the time I allocate for certain activities. I wake very early & utilize time blocking to prevent feelings of overwhelm. I make lots of lists and stick to my daily plan.
Is this your full-time business?
Canyon Creek Goods is my full-time business, but I also do some consulting work as a personality profiler & manage various rental properties.
What inspires you?
I’m inspired by the surrounding red rock landscape of Sedona, Flagstaff’s beautiful high mountain desert, and ponderosa pine forests. Every day that I wake up & get to sew is a good day and I am never short on motivation to create.
Can you explain your creative process?
Truth be told, my creative process is total chaos. When creating new goods, I like to listen to true crime podcasts, pull out various bolts of fabric and, look at the pattern design, the size of repeat & play around with the fabric. Most of the time, the items I make are things I personally need or something someone else has asked for. I like to make prototypes, test them & continue improving on them until I feel I’ve hit the nail on the head. My favorite material to work with is Pendleton blanket-weight wool. It is heavy, thick & tightly woven. It’s a dream to sew & the vibrant colors are so uplifting.
What is your most popular product?
My western cowl scarves are so warm & cozy, unique looking & always receive compliments! They are by far the most popular product I’ve made.
Why did you choose to sell on Goimagine?
I connected with Goimagine’s mission to serve children & appreciate their commitment to supporting the handmade movement.
Where can we find Canyon Creek Goods?
I attend four major shows each year in the 4-corners area. Other than that, you can find me online at:
Shop: goimagine.com/canyoncreekgoods/
For a limited time, take 10% off your purchase with coupon code: CCG
Instagram: @canyoncreekgoods
Facebook: @canyoncreekgoods
Stephanie is naturally creative and is passionate about art, design, and everything handmade. She has always enjoyed exploring new techniques and trends in the handmade industry and has channeled this into her role as the Creative Director and co-founder of goimagine. Through her love for creating, she has successfully sold her unique wares, which range from fine art to simple crafts, in both online and in-person markets.