Today we’d like to introduce you to Melissa Mello.
Hi Melissa, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I’ve always loved textiles. Whether shopping for vintage dresses as a teen, selling high end clothing in lovely boutiques, or working on production for a clothing designer – the fabric has always been what’s hooked me. And I’m a collector. As many sewists will admit, I have more fabric in my “stash” than I can reasonably use in my lifetime. So when I left my teaching assistant job and my co-worker wanted to know what was next for me, I said jokingly that maybe I’d just open a fabric shop.
Fast forward a year, and everyone’s lives changed with Covid. I found a little sewing studio in my neighborhood so I could get out of the way while my husband spent his days in zoom meetings in the living room of our tiny house. As I made my daily escape and gazed on my colorful wall of fabrics, I longed for the day that I could share my studio with others. As new textile based creative re-use stores started popping up all over the country, I decided to test those waters too and see if I could really get something started in San Diego – and so Material Happiness was born.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The journey so far has been wonderful. So many creative people come through the doors. Customers become friends and the San Diego sewing community has revealed itself as a complex and rich network of quilters, garment sewists, textile artists, learning venues, niche shops and so much more. It never ceases to amaze me.
Even with all this goodness, there definitely are some challenges. I decided to do this work on my own, and it’s a lot to keep up with. Solo business owners wear ALL the hats, and it’s easy to get bogged down in details. Decision fatigue is real. Question my life choices? You betcha! But everyday brings so much joy helping people find what they’re looking for while doing a good deed for mother earth – and that makes it all worth it.
Material Happiness has moved twice in it’s short life, and moving is exhausting. The last move required a lot of faith and patience, but has brought more awareness to the shop. And now there’s easy parking!
The generosity of the local craft community is epic and there’s never a shortage of new items coming in. Donations are so plentiful that I am always chronically behind on processing – which is a labor intensive endeavor. It’s a challenge for sure, but I like to say that it’s a good problem to have. Every single thing that arrives gets inspected, sorted, priced, folded and put out on the shelf. After almost three years, I’m starting to get the systems locked in. Volunteer help from the community is an essential and appreciated part of keeping up with the volume.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Material Happiness?
Material Happiness is a fabric and fiber crafts supply shop. While I carry an array of new items, the majority of the offerings are pre-loved fabrics, yarns, and other supplies from San Diego’s creative community. As a creative, it’s easy to also be a collector, and at some point many folks realize that they’re never going to use all of the treasures they’ve got stored up. Or a loved one has passed on and the family is looking for a place that will be able to rehome a lifetime of craftiness. I’m happy to be that landing ground and caretake those items at Material Happiness until they find their new person. There’s always treasure to be found. Prices are low – a fraction of what they cost new – and hopefully this creates opportunities for folks who would like to sew but find the high cost of supplies a barrier to getting started.
When I’m buying new supplies, I do my best to find sustainable options. The machine sewing thread I carry is made from recycled materials, I source deadstock fabrics from LA and other places, and I have lots of my favorite mending and hand stitching books and supplies that can help give you ideas for keep existing garments in rotation longer. I’m also excited to offer an ever expanding selection of Japanese fabrics and Sashiko threads, needles, and sampler fabrics.
The goal is to save as much as we can. Together.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
San Diego is a pretty great place to be. I’ve lived here nearly 20 years, and discover new areas all the time. It’s got so much going on if you know where to look. For sewists, education is plentiful so can find what fits your personality and lifestyle – semster based classes at San Diego College of Continuing Education (free classes!) and Mesa College, workspace memberships with help on hand if needed at Maek Gather Collective and Home Ec Studio, and small group and private lessons all over the city. I love being a helpful resource and am happy to help you find the right fit.
I grew up in Colorado, so the brutally hot summer days are a bit much for me. Luckily the weather is sublime most of the year.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.materialhappiness.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/material_happiness/
