After years of working in the corporate world, Melissa Howell decided it was time to channel her passion for sewing and crafting into a full-time business. “I’ve sewed probably all my life,” Howell said. “My grandmother and my whole family sewed, and this was just something that I wanted to do for a long time.” Howell opened Little Notions with her family in Cypress about two years ago before relocating the business to Tomball in late May. Her husband and son help with laser engraving and vinyl customizations at the shop. “We pretty much do everything,” Howell said. “If it can be put in a machine, it can be monogrammed.” Little Notions offers monogramming and embroidery for a variety of items, including T-shirts, towels, children’s items, cups and backpacks. “Sometimes people will come in for one thing and then they’re hooked for 20 different things,” Howell said. “A lot of gift-giving ideas come out of here. [Customers will] see something else in the store and think, ‘I have a baby shower coming up, and this is perfect.’” In addition to basic monogramming, Howell said many customers also find inspiration for items on crafting websites and bring examples to the shop to have the items made locally instead. “What people will do is find something they like on [websites like] Etsy or Pinterest, they’ll bring that picture to us, and we can replicate it,” she said. “It’s not always exact, but if you like the idea, we can help make it yours.” Most items take a few minutes to embroider, and customers can typically pick up items within two to three days of placing an order, Howell said. As the holiday season approaches, however, she recommends customers order gift items in advance to avoid longer wait times and rush fees. The shop’s new location between Cy-Fair and Tomball ISDs has attracted several students and teachers looking for school spirit items. The shop has designed group shirts for high school homecoming events, choir and other extracurricular activities, Howell said. “We have T-shirts galore,” she said. “Customers can pick the shirt they want, the fabric and the thread.” Howell said her favorite part of the business is interacting with everyone from individuals to local business owners and school officials. She said she enjoys seeing people happy with the items she has customized. “The whole idea is customers want to be able to make a gift more personal,” Howell said. “I love the reaction we get from customers when we give them back their [personalized] items.”

Little Notions 16413 N. Eldridge Parkway, Ste. 2, Tomball 281-205-7772 www.littlenotions.com Hours: Mon.-Fri. 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.