Rising Stars: Meet Marcy Johnson of Red Bank

Today we’d like to introduce you to Marcy Johnson.

Marcy, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
In the summer of 2022 our family took our dream trip to Ireland, where we first encountered flat needle felting, or “painting” with wool, and we instantly fell in love with it. When we returned, I ordered felting kits for myself and my sister Danielle Landrum, and we were hooked. We taught ourselves how to needle felt through Youtube videos, and then we taught our mother and niece. There were very little felting supplies to be found locally, which was frustrating, but we did what we could ordering online.

In May of the following year, we suddenly lost our sister Deena. She was a kind and generous soul and fearless artist, always trying new mediums and techniques and happily teaching others. Having just learned a hard lesson in the unpredictability of life, Danielle and I decided we needed to do something meaningful with our limited time here, and also honor Deena’s memory. We gave ourselves crash courses in a variety of fiber arts, such as embroidery, punch needle, paper quilling, and origami. Armed with our newfound skills, a tiny bit of money, and a lot of motivation, we opened The Knot and Needle in November of 2023. As word got out, we added instructors in the crafts we didn’t know, such as crochet, knitting, and sewing. The Knot and Needle now offers even more classes, including needlepoint, weaving, kumihimo braiding, quilting, watercolor, paper quilling, and drop spindle yarn spinning. We even have class sewing machines so people can try out sewing before committing to a sewing machine purchase.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
When we opened, we weren’t sure what customers would be looking for, so we’ve had to “try and see” with the supplies and classes we offer. We are a small shop with limited space, so every new item and class has to be thought through carefully. We’ve had to juggle these two opposing needs, and its been quite a learning experience!

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I have been a painter and freelance graphic designer for about 12 years. My skills and designs have translated surprisingly well into the fiber arts. I designed our logo and the packaging and inserts for our crafting kits, and several of my designs have become the basis of successful classes. Most of the classes I teach are needle felting, and flat felting in particular is much like painting. Many aspects of painting apply, such as color theory and perspective, so students get a bit of general art education mixed in with learning felting techniques. I have recently begun hand painting needlepoint canvases, which are now available in the shop.

Danielle teaches needle felting, too, plus punch needle and embroidery. Most of the classes she teaches are using her own designs. She has taken up painting in the last few years, and her colorful Tennessee-themed artwork is available as originals and printed on merchandise in her other Chattanooga business, Locals Only Gifts & Goods, which offers only goods made in the Tennessee Valley area.

Our greatest focus is on maintaining a positive, welcoming space where anyone can try out new crafts. We take our job as “cheerleaders” seriously, by keeping things lighthearted and encouraging. We embrace “happy accidents” in a Bob Ross way, and allow our students to find their own artistic voice while acquiring new skills.

Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
Everything we know about the fiber arts we have learned in the last 3 years. Other than that, not much. We are “open book” kind of people.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.knotandneedle.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theknotandneedlefiberarts/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/knotandneedlefiberarts/
• Other: [email protected]