COSTA MESA : Therapy a Goal of Needlework Artist

Donna Friebertshauser knows that most people envision tea towels and pillow slips when they think of needlework.

But she recalls using her creative stitching to help a mastectomy patient recover the use of her arm and to bring peace of mind to a suicidal woman.

“I think there’s such possibilities for rehabilitation, not only physically, but emotionally and mentally in working with your hands,” said Friebertshauser, a fabric arts teacher at Coastline Community and Cypress colleges who also uses the craft as the basis for a national Brazilian embroidery and Battenberg lace mail-order business out of her home.

Friebertshauser said the expensive and rare supplies prompted her four years ago to begin keeping an inventory of the exotic colored threads and expensive lace to offer to her craft colleagues.

Since then, her customer base has grown from “practically zero” to hundreds. Earlier this month, she shared her secret for her success during a speech at the Newport Beach Public Library.

Jackie Headly, the library’s adult program coordinator, said patrons often inquire about mail-order businesses. “I think it’s one of the trend signs of the future,” she said, noting that older people are drawn to the convenience of mail ordering.

Friebertshauser used her book, “How to Turn a Hobby into a Mail-Order Business,” during her talk, one of her many appearances to promote needlework. She has won an Emmy and has been invited to show her craft at South Coast Plaza.

Sitting in her living room, where her colorful creations of Brazilian and wool embroidery dot the walls, the 64-year-old Friebertshauser said she wants to be “the Grandma Moses of needlework.”

Despite growing interest, she teaches only one class a semester and plans to keep interest alive with more public appearances.

Her local lectures and shows account for much of her business, Friebertshauser said. In addition, she advertises her embroidery and lace kits and supplies in a number of crafts and needlework magazines.

Friebertshauser said she is more concerned with keeping the craft alive than stealing business from local crafts shops. “I try to do things that local needleworkers wouldn’t find in a local shop. I don’t want to compete with them.”

Instead, she would like to see it used more widely such as in therapy.

“I would like to see it expanded and given its true credit for what it can do for people.