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Embroidery used to be something that you associated with your grandmother, but lately it’s become a popular hobby for young people, as well. There are a wide variety of fun, cheeky embroidery projects floating around the Internet, and these simple online tutorials will show you how to get started creating your own silly embroideries.

Embroidery 101! [Instructables]
This fun Instructables course uses simple, easy-to-follow guidelines to show you the very basics of embroidery. It offers high quality photos of each step along the way, and it also provides a detailed list of the tools you’ll need to make the process as convenient as possible. The Embroidery 101! lesson even shows some humorous and hip designs as inspiration for your project.

Start Stitching! A Beginner's Embroidery Tutorial [Pretty Prudent]
Pretty Prudent is another wonderful online embroidery website. The site’s tutorial shows you how to sketch a simple design onto your embroidery hoop and fabric, and then how to properly stitch and execute the design. It also provides links to DIY embroidery ideas for other designs.

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/Stacy Spensley

You know you've got something special when you can combine beautiful artisan-made items with the satisfaction of knowing that your purchases are supporting ethical, sustainable production. And that's exactly what you'll get at Ten Thousand Villages, a national retailer with a location here in Houston.

As you browse around the store, you'll see huge variety in the style of items produced in different nations from around the globe. Admire an African stoneware place setting or a Guatemalan sculpture crafted out of salvaged aluminum scraps. Run your fingers across the fine beadwork adorning a brightly colored table runner, or select a fruit basket woven out of rushes. Feel free to inquire about the origins of any object that interests you as the staff at this shop are typically very knowledgeable about the craftwork that goes into each object, as well as the challenges faced by the communities where the items are produced.

Ten Thousand Villages
2424A Rice Boulevard
Houston, TX 77005
(713) 533-1000
www.tenthousandvillages.com/houston
www.yelp.com/biz/ten-thousand-villages-houston

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/chitrasudar