We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Keana Whetstone. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Keana below.

Keana, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

During the pandemic, I found myself navigating intense anxiety as a stay-at-home mom with only my three-year-old for company. A close friend of mine, a talented artist in New Orleans (@mewdoo2ma), suggested I try embroidery as a way to manage my anxiety, especially during evenings when I found myself endlessly doom-scrolling. I decided to give it a shot, picked up a simple kit from the craft store, and quickly discovered how soothing the repetitive motion was for my mind. After that first project, I never looked back—I decided to create on my own terms, exploring techniques and ideas without relying heavily on tutorials. Whenever I encountered challenges, I would brainstorm with my friend, which became an essential part of my learning process.

Looking back, I wouldn’t change the pace of how I learned. The slow, self-driven journey allowed me to truly connect with the craft and discover my style. The most essential skill I brought to embroidery was the dedication to carve out time to repetitively work at it—turning fabric and thread into something meaningful & nostalgic.

Keana, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Hi, I’m Keana, but I go by KW. I’m a Portland-based embroidery artist and the one-human show behind Thumb Up Threading, where every piece is hand-stitched with love—and often a touch of ’90s nostalgia. My journey into embroidery started in 2020 during a particularly chaotic time.

Now, I specialize in creating vibrant, nostalgic art that captures joyful memories. My work includes everything from cartoon characters we all grew up loving to one-of-a-kind pet portraits in my own cartoon style. Each piece is designed to spark happiness and nostalgia, reminding us of the good vibes we never outgrow.

What sets me apart is my commitment to slow stitching as both an art form and a mental sanctuary. I stitch every piece by hand, ensuring it’s infused with the care and personality that only comes from truly loving what I do.
I’m most proud of how this craft has allowed me to build connections—with my family, my community, and the people who trust me to bring their memories to life. Every purchase supports my family and fuels my creative journey, and for that, I’m endlessly grateful.

If you’re a fan of heartfelt, nostalgic art or just want to follow along on my creative journey (and TV binges!), Thumb Up Threading is the place for you. I’d love to share my work and connect with you. Let’s celebrate the good vibes together!

How did you build your audience on social media?

As a social media manager by day, building an audience for my embroidery art felt like a way to reconnect with creativity on my own terms, separate from the structured work I do for real estate and interior design companies. My biggest priority was making it fun—turning social media into a creative outlet rather than another task on my to-do list.

That mindset has been key to my success, and it’s also my biggest advice for anyone starting out: focus on having fun and being authentic. Consistency matters, but so does enjoying the process. The truth is, we can’t control the algorithm—it’s going to do what it wants—so let go of overthinking and just share what feels meaningful to you.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

I believe the best way society can support artists and creatives is by focusing on local communities and recognizing that support doesn’t always require spending money. Engaging with artists on social media, attending local art markets, or simply sharing and celebrating their work can make a huge difference. It’s similar to how we easily uplift and celebrate celebrities on social media—why not bring that same energy to the artists and creatives in our own communities?

Support can start with the people you already know: your friends, family, or even those you connect with online. By fostering this sense of community, we create a thriving ecosystem where artists can feel seen, appreciated, and encouraged. The impact of this kind of local support can’t be overstated, and it’s something everyone can participate in.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @thumbsup_threading

Image Credits

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