Netta's Story
Excited! Nervous! Guilty! Proud! These are words that best describe how I feel every single day as the owner of Gossypium. I am not one of those small shop owners that is going to tell you how quilting runs through my veins and it has been passed down from generation-to-generation. It’s not :).
Before taking over Gossypium, I was a stay at home mom. An abundantly blessed mom of 2 boys, Tyce and Tate. Tyce is in college at Green River, while Tate is still working on potty training. That’s right! Over 18 years of separation between my boys. I guess it’s true, every small business owner has to be a little crazy :)
Being a mom and caring for kids defined me for most of my life, often working in schools and daycare. However, when I learned to quilt, I discovered a new sense of joy and relaxation in creating quilts with time carved out just for me. I found myself growing in creativity, confidence, and a feeling of belonging.
That’s why I was heartbroken when Lynette said she was closing down Gossypium. I didn’t want to lose something I loved. Something I know many of you loved too.
At the same time I felt nervous and guilty about considering this new adventure. For me, my family comes first! Doug and I had so many conversations about whether this was the right thing to do. Could I still be there for Tate and Tyce? Could I still volunteer at the church? Could we still make trips back home to Kansas to see our parents?
In the end, I knew I had to live what I preached to my kids. Live by faith and follow where you feel you are being led. Each day I get to spend with you and my staff is a blessing! I absolutely could not do it without them and your loving support. I have come to realize quilters are a special group. They are full of grace and eager to help each other.
I hope each person that comes to Gossypium feels the same way I do. Each project you feel supported by our team. Each project you discover a new part of yourself.
Who knows where this chapter is going to take me. I am still growing as a quilter and definitely as a business owner. Thank you for being patient. I am going to need it for awhile! Ok, maybe a long while :). But I hope you are as excited to see where it goes as I am and are as proud that a special place in our community is still standing strong!
When Netta said she wanted to take over Gossypium, I thought she was crazy. I knew absolutely nothing about quilting and we had never run a business. But! I knew the power of a quilt.
You see my passion lies in helping kids. I help lead our children’s ministry at Eastridge Church in Issaquah and I love our mission of being a beacon of hope from the I-90 Corridor to the ends of the Earth. That’s how I was introduced to Royal Family Kids Camp, a global organization driven to help the 400,000 kids in foster care by giving them 1 week to just be a kid again! No more abuse, no more wondering where am I going to sleep at night, or questioning why no one loves me.
I’ve been a volunteer at Royal Family Kids Camp in the Seattle area for the past 2 years. On the last night when you tuck your campers into bed, you give them a special gift, a quilt :). The quilt is meant to represent the love and warmth they can carry back with them to a place they probably don't want to go. Remind them of the fish they caught, swimming in the lake, or songs they sang.
That’s why I told Netta let’s go for it! Because I knew the power of a quilt to spread love. And if we could play a small role in our community of helping spread that love, then seems like a pretty good mission in life to me.