Today we’d like to introduce you to Melo Johnson
Hi Melo, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Back in April of 2022, I was going through a rough time in my personal life, and decided to try picking up a hobby to keep myself occupied. I stumbled across a page on Instagram where someone was crocheting. I remembered that my aunt had taught me how to knit back when I was in my early teens, and figured she could also help me learn to crochet as well since she did both.
Unfortunately around that time, my aunt fell ill with cancer, and therefore wasn’t able to take the time to teach me between all of her hospital stays. So I taught myself, and with lots of trial and error, I was able to figure it out! It made me really sad to see my aunt not be able to make crochet or knit blankets, so I decided to crochet her one from my own hands. Sadly, she passed that May before I could finish it.
I continued my crochet journey and started learning to create plushies, and absolutely fell in love. I was making so many plushies that I didn’t have the room for, and posting them on my instagram as a way to log them all. I began following other crochet artists on the platform and got inspired to create my own Etsy shop to sell my creations on. I haven’t stopped since!
Right after my aunt’s passing, I was experiencing my own health issues. I found out I was living with a condition called Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia syndrome (POTs), a malfunction of the autonomic system where my heart rate increases too high after standing up from a lying or sitting position, causing me to become dizzy or even pass out. I was working in the veterinary field and constantly having to get up and down was only making my symptoms worse. I was unsure what to do, but I knew something had to change.
When receiving a piercing from the Fine Ink location in Oviedo in September of that year, I was discussing my condition with my piercer. Afterward, she offered me the opportunity to learn body piercing! I took her up on the opportunity and got sucked into it! Now here I am a few years later, a professional body piercer working full time at Fine Ink Winter Park.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Between my health issues and learning curves, it definitely hasn’t always been easy. But luckily I have an amazing support system as well as a phenomenal set of coworkers and boss at Fine Ink Winter Park that help me.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
For my crochet business, I specialize in cutesy kawaii crochet plushies! Anything from animals to characters from pop culture, anime, and video games!
For piercing, my main focus is to give my clients a safe space to come and get piercings with jewelry that makes them feel confident. Getting piercings can be a scary thing, from fear of the needles or pain to simply the fear of putting trust in a stranger to do a good job with something so important! I want to make all of my clients feel safe, welcome, and heard.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
Trust yourself and be open to constructive criticism! Always be willing to learn, even if it’s something you think you’ve mastered already, there is always something that is new to you!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://stitchedbymelo.etsy.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stitchedbymelo?igsh=MXE5YWE0ZG1uaDU1dw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/pierce.me.melo?igsh=MXFkdnhsejNxbnFhMQ==
Image Credits
Main photo credit to: Jessi Lee @jessileeartist
