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

Nicole, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

One of the most meaningful projects I’ve ever worked on was customizing a jean jacket for a client who wanted to honor her late father. She entrusted me with an incredibly personal request: to incorporate fabric from some of her father’s shirts into the jacket, along with embroidered elements that were meaningful to their relationship. Among the details were a white Chevy Cavalier convertible, a vinyl record, the Red Sox logo, and other symbols.

What made this project so special was the level of trust she placed in me. She gave me full autonomy over the design, trusting me to determine how to arrange the fabric and embroidery in a way that felt cohesive and heartfelt. Working with such precious materials was both an honor and a responsibility, and it felt deeply meaningful to create something that held so much emotional weight.

This project also brought me back to my roots. While most of my work now involves framed embroidery, I actually started my career by creating custom denim jackets. Revisiting that medium for such a significant piece felt full-circle.

Her feedback after receiving the jacket was unforgettable: she said, “Nicole was so kind and helpful – she took each of my ideas and brought them to life…Nicole made me feel seen, did such incredible work, and I’m so proud to wear this jacket in honor of my dad. Every time I’ve put it on since, I’ve gotten teary-eyed, and both friends and strangers alike have called out how cool it is and how every detail is so pristine. I am so beyond grateful!!”

For me, it doesn’t get better than that. Knowing that my work could bring comfort, joy, and connection to someone’s memory of their loved one is the reason I do what I do.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’m an embroidery artist specializing in custom, hand-embroidered pieces that range from framed artwork to functional items like napkins, aprons, clothing, and more. My work is entirely handmade—no machines involved—which allows me to focus on intricate details and create truly one-of-a-kind designs tailored to each client!
My journey with embroidery began with a love for sewing. As a child, I learned to sew clothing and really thought that I would become a fashion designer. Life took me in a different direction—I went to school for management—but after graduating, I realized I deeply missed having a creative outlet. That’s when I started experimenting with denim jackets, adding patches and embroidery just for fun.
At one point, I had more than 10 jackets, far more than I could wear, so I started selling them on Etsy. Over time, I pivoted from jackets to framed embroidery. It all began when I saw a piece of embroidered art on Instagram that I loved but couldn’t afford. I thought, “Why not try making something like this myself?” That experiment turned into a cowgirl design that’s now framed in my home and sparked the idea to create more detailed, framed works.

The first framed piece I sold was for a friend whose girlfriend’s family had started an organization to honor her late mother. Their logo was a purple butterfly, and I recreated it in embroidery as a gift. It was such a meaningful project and a pivotal moment when I realized how powerful this craft could be.

Today, my work spans a wide variety of items: framed embroidery art, custom table linens, recreations of family photos, bridal and wedding gifts, other fun items like bucket hats for bachelorette parties, and much more.

What sets my work apart is the level of personalization, and the trust my clients give me. Many provide a broad vision and let me take creative liberties to bring their ideas to life. I love turning their stories into tangible, heirloom-quality pieces that carry deep personal meaning.

I’m incredibly proud that my work resonates with people on such an emotional level. It’s amazing to hear how much these pieces mean to them, whether it’s a jacket honoring a loved one, a wedding portrait that becomes a family keepsake, or a custom linen that adds a special touch to their home. Knowing that something I’ve created will be treasured for years makes everything worthwhile.

If there’s one thing I’d want people to know about me and my work, it’s that I approach every project with care, creativity, and attention to detail. I’m grateful for the trust my clients place in me, and it’s an honor to help them create something meaningful and unique.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

The lesson I’ve had to unlearn—and continue to remind myself of—is that getting started doesn’t have to be perfect, and I need to give myself grace throughout the process. This applies to my embroidery, but also honestly life in general.

As a creative, it’s easy to tie so much of my identity and worth into the things I make. There’s this internal pressure that every piece needs to be perfect from step one, and if it’s not, it feels like a reflection of my capabilities. Add to that the occasional imposter syndrome, and it can become overwhelming.

When I first started embroidery, it was purely for fun. I was creating for myself, experimenting, and enjoying the process. I wasn’t thinking about perfection because there was no external expectation—it was just me exploring and playing with the craft. I only began selling my work after people started noticing it and encouraging me, and even then, I was creating things that I loved. But once I started taking custom commissions, the dynamic shifted. Now, people were trusting me to bring their vision to life, and I felt a huge sense of responsibility to get it right.

I’ve had to remind myself time and time again that creativity is a process. Often, I’ll be partway through a project and feel unsure if it’s coming together, but I’ve learned to trust my instincts and skills. I’ll tell myself, “I am human. I know what I’m doing. I have trust and faith in my work. No mistake here is permanent. I am not a machine!” These affirmations help me push through the self-doubt and focus on the joy of creating.

Expecting perfection from the start is not only unrealistic, but it also creates unnecessary internal tension and robs me of the enjoyment of my craft. I’ve also had to learn to separate my self-worth from my work at times, which isn’t easy when you’re pouring so much of yourself into what you make.

Unlearning these habits—perfectionism, imposter syndrome, and tying my identity to my work—is ongoing, but it’s been crucial for my growth as both an artist and a person. Giving myself the grace to embrace imperfections and trust the process has made all the difference.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

One thing I think non-creatives might struggle to understand about the journey of a creative is how deeply personal and multi-faceted it is—and that it’s just as valid and challenging as any other career path.

I’ve been fortunate to grow up around both analytical thinkers and full creatives. My parents are accountants, yet they were incredibly supportive when I told them I wanted to be a fashion designer as a kid. That balance helped me see the value in all kinds of work. However, as I got older, I noticed a common misconception: the idea that creative careers—or art-based businesses—are less intellectual or less valuable than more traditional paths like finance or tech.

This misconception can be frustrating, especially because the creative journey often requires just as much problem-solving, discipline, and intelligence. It may not involve spreadsheets or boardroom meetings, but it demands introspection, emotional expression, and the ability to create something meaningful from nothing. For me, embroidery is not just a craft but a meditative process. It’s a space where I can reflect, grow, and express emotions that are sometimes hard to articulate. That emotional and expressive work is a skill in itself and should never be underestimated.

Another challenge is that the path of a creative rarely looks the same as a traditional career. There’s often no clear ladder to climb, no set benchmarks for success, and it requires a lot of resilience to carve out your own path. That can be hard for people who are used to more conventional structures to fully understand.

At the same time, I believe creativity is essential to the world. It makes life brighter, more connected, and more reflective. We need creatives just as much as we need anyone else. My advice to anyone pursuing a creative path is to hold your ground. Don’t let others’ opinions diminish the value of what you do, and don’t seek external validation to understand your worth. Every person brings something unique to the table, and that diversity is what makes us all essential.

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