Live on TV?!

From a Hedgehog and a Sewing Machine to Live TV: The Story of Sew Magick

If you watched me on Live at 9, you saw a version of my story, one shaped by bright studio lights, a ticking clock, and the very real adrenaline of live television.

What you didn’t see was everything that came before it.

Sew Magick didn’t begin as a business plan. It began with love, curiosity, and a hedgehog.

Where It All Started

Years ago, I fell head over heels for hedgehogs. Anyone who has loved an exotic pet knows this feeling… you don’t just care for them, you advocate for them. You notice the gaps. You notice what doesn’t exist yet.

At the time, there weren’t many toy or enrichment options made specifically with hedgehogs in mind. I wanted something soft, safe, comforting, and engaging. So I did what a lot of makers do when they can’t find what they’re looking for:

I decided to learn how to make it myself.

I taught myself to sew. I leaned hard on YouTube and other small makers. I started small, bags for hedgehogs, bandanas for my dogs, simple bags, little projects that helped me understand fabric, structure, and function. Sewing quickly became more than a skill. It became a kind of magic: the ability to take an idea in my head and turn it into something real, something useful, something loved.

That belief—that sewing is magic—is where the name Sew Magick was born.

Growing Beyond One Species

What began with hedgehogs didn’t stay there.

As I shared my creations, I started hearing from other exotic pet owners, people with ferrets, rats, guinea pigs, reptiles, birds, and more. They all shared the same story: they loved their pets deeply, and they wanted enrichment and toys that were made for them, not adapted as an afterthought.

Sew Magick evolved into an inclusive space for people who love their small exotic pets. Not just quilly and fuzzy, but scaly friends, feathered companions, and even those with fins.

Every animal plays differently. Every household is different. And that’s where handmade, custom work truly shines.

Why Custom Matters

One thing I didn’t get to talk about on the news—because live TV moves fast—is that everything I make is custom made to order.

That means I get to collaborate with my customers. I get to hear about their pets’ personalities. I get to adjust colors, shapes, sizes, and stuffing options. Many of my toys can be filled with mint, which hedgehogs love, or catnip for species that enjoy it. Unscented options are always available as well.

This isn’t mass production. It’s intentional creation.

It’s one maker, one order, one pet at a time.

Behind the Scenes: How the Toys Are Made

Another piece of the story I love sharing is how these toys come to life.

I use embroidery machines to stitch detailed faces, patterns, and designs, then each piece is sewn together by hand. It’s a blend of modern tools and traditional craftsmanship, allowing me to keep things efficient while still preserving the heart of handmade work.

Every toy passes through my hands multiple times before it ever reaches a pet’s home.

Stepping Into the Spotlight

Going on the news was surreal.

I was honored to be invited to share Sew Magick as part of a local feature celebrating makers and creatives. I was excited and yes, nervous. When the cameras rolled, I focused on what felt safest and closest to my heart: hedgehogs.

That doesn’t mean the rest of the story disappeared. It just meant there wasn’t time for all of it in that moment.

And that’s okay.

This space, my website, my community, my work is where the whole story lives.

What Sew Magick Is Today

Sew Magick is about more than plush toys. It’s about care. It’s about representation for exotic pets and the people who love them. It’s about creativity, problem-solving, and the quiet magic of making something with intention.

I’m endlessly grateful to everyone who has supported me, whether you’ve been here since the hedgehog days or you found me through that TV segment.

Thank you for being part of this story. I can’t wait to see where it goes next.

If you’d like to watch the full interview, you can find it here:
👉