Meet Crystal Peralta | Hand Embroidery Artist & Landscape Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Crystal Peralta and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Crystal, let’s start by talking about what inspires you?
To put it plainly – life inspires me. From my surroundings to the adventures I’ve been fortunate enough to have, seeing gorgeous landscapes and knowing it will be quite some time until I can ‘relive’ those moments set me onto a path of recreating these scenes. Anything from a family get together, major life milestone, new member of the family or travel plans that you wish you could live through again – I’ve been able to recreate these moments for several amazing clients who now how these special moments stitched in time, forever.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
To this day I am still amazed at what this craft has blossomed into. Recently I had the opportunity to work alongside the team at Etsy to curate a video showcasing my work for Latinx Heritage Month. This in itself was a dream come true – from a small hobbyist who uploaded a few finished embroidery hoops on Etsy in 2016 to now a “Star Seller” and artist who has been showcased to their large following on social media. Seeing my work, my life and my family’s home town on their platform has been quite the accomplishment for myself and this business.

Granted, getting to this point has not been easy nor was it an overnight success. We still have our battles as a small business (and as a one-woman show) that we encounter on a daily basis. From sourcing the necessary materials to trying to find the time to create, pack, upload, respond to questions, film and so much more.. It can be the most exhausting yet even more fulfilling to see it all through. I would love for anyone looking to step into a new line of work or tackle a new business venture to know that the opportunities to grow are out there. They may take you by surprise or be at the end of a very long and exhausting road – you won’t know until you try.

This stress relief outlet came at a time where I was in need of a ‘break’ from school for the sake of my mental health. The craft in itself has helped me work through and heal childhood trauma and even give back to my community in ways that I feel honor my mother who passed from Breast Cancer in 2002. Today, we have the Las Joyas Collection which supports individuals currently undergoing chemo treatment and those recovering from breast cancer at the same hospital my mother attended in Phoenix. Nothing comes easy, but giving it time truly heals the soul.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I absolutely love exploring the Valley and have been able to come across some real gems along the way! Granted for a week worth of fun, there is a LOT for us to keep busy:

Food:
Chelseas Kitchen (Arcadia)
North Italia (Arcadia)
Sushi Broker (Arcadia)
Taco Boys (Downtown PHX)
Alter Ego (Tempe)
The Montauk (Scottsdale)

Happy Hour:
The Churchill (Downtown PHX)
Diego Pops (Scottsdale)
Buck and Rider (Arcadia)
Canal Club (Scottsdale)
The Flint (Phoenix)

Activities:
Pay what you wish Wednesday @ Phoenix Art Museum
Bam Kazam (Scottsdale)
Uptown Farmers Market (Phoenix)
Karaoke at Geisha A Go Go (Scottsdale)
Free Play Friday at Hot Chick (Scottsdale)
Arcade games at LevelOne (Gilbert)

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
This small business truly would not have come to fruition had it not been for my husband, Eric Martinez. From convincing me to list my first completed embroidery hoop for sale on Etsy to aiding me in creating a website and sprucing up my listings with SEO (which I still do not understand). This hobby of mine began as a stress relief outlet in college and even then he encouraged me to join markets, list my completed hoops, take on bigger projects and teach to spread the joy of embroidery. He is indeed my right hand man in life and in this small business.

Of course, my family has been nothing short of supportive. From sharing all of my posts and recommending their friends to try their hands at embroidery to driving to another state just to watch me teach a class at Pinners Conference. My siblings are my number one supporters in everything I do and they keep this little engine inside of me running to bigger and better opportunities.

Website: https://sundaymorningsshop.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sundaymorningsbloggers/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/crystaldperalta/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SundayMorningsShop

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqHM8-hxtVYhVSYb5Q714XA

Other: Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/SundayMorningsShop