Today we’d like to introduce you to Jocelyn Gonzales.
Hi Jocelyn, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I learned to sew as a child, digging through scraps of the fabric my mom used to sew our Halloween costumes. After inheriting my great-grandmother’s sewing machine in the late 2000s, I took up quilting so that I could make baby quilts for expecting family members. With multiple quilters in the family, there was no shortage of quilts for new babies!
I started Flying Goose Studio in 2019 as a way to connect with other sewists and makers online. My “sewing room” was just a tiny corner in my apartment, using hand-me-down machines and reclaimed furniture as a workspace. On a whim, I opened an Etsy shop and started selling baby- and throw-size quilts for people who didn’t have a quilter in the family.
Now, Flying Goose Studio has evolved into selling handmade bags, quilts, and pillow covers, as well as baby quilts. I use bright colors and modern patterns — no “sad beige” around here!
My grandmother was a small business owner—she ran a flower shop while my grandfather did all of the deliveries. As I child, I spent many afternoons tagging along on deliveries or hanging out in the back room of the flower shop. For me, Flying Goose Studio is a way to honor my grandparents’ memory and follow in their footsteps.
I was born and raised on the Canadian prairies (Saskatoon, Saskatchewan), but my husband is from Conroe. Moving to Texas has created a lot of opportunities for us, including the opportunity to dive headfirst into growing Flying Goose Studio as a business. My dream is to one day open a brick-and-mortar store and support a community of sewists.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Definitely not a smooth road! One of my biggest struggles at first was space. Our apartment in Canada was tiny, and I barely had room to work, let alone store inventory. When the pandemic hit, my sewing space also became my work-from-home space, which made getting any sewing done quite difficult.
Now that we’re in Texas, my latest struggle has been growing an audience. Outdoor markets aren’t very busy when it’s this hot outside, and not many people are thinking about snuggling up with a quilt when it’s triple degrees outside! Growth has been slow, but I’m determined to stick with it and make it work.
I’m a maker first and foremost, but running a small business also means dedicating time to marketing, accounting, photography, networking, and so much more! I’m confident that as I continue to invest time and energy into my growth, I’ll continue to see results.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
As a sewist, the opportunities to be creative are endless—a pattern will take on an entirely different look just by changing up the fabric. I love to use a lot of bright, bold colors in my projects, and I’m particularly obsessed with fabric from designers such as Tula Pink and Kaffe Fassett. Mixing a bright polka dot print with a bold floral? Yes, please!
My handmade bags are designed for people who are tired of the sad beige aesthetic. They’re fun and funky while still being practical—the kind of bags that make other people stop and take notice. I’m currently obsessed with mini backpacks because they’re big enough to hold your essentials while keeping your hands free.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
I’m a huge nerd! And not just an “I’ve seen the Marvel movies” nerd, but the kind of nerd who can quote Star Wars and has seen every episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
When I’m not sewing, you can usually find me playing video games (currently Diablo IV) or reading books. I even met my husband while playing a video game. My all-time favorite quilt project has to be the king-size Batman quilt I made for him last year.
Contact Info:
- Website: flyinggoosestudio.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/flyinggoosestudio
- Facebook: facebook.com/flyinggoosestudio
