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About Maydel

Maydel (rhymes with “ladle”) is a new needlework shop that makes crafting more inclusive by eliminating hurdles to finding supplies and completing projects. In addition to offering supplies that meet a wide variety of accessibility needs for crafters with metal allergies, light sensitivities, vision and fine motor limitations, and more, Maydel’s by-the-piece pricing and customizable project bundles ensure that crafters get exactly what they need at the lowest possible cost from a fully vetted list of sustainable, ethical manufacturers.

Read more about our commitment to inclusion & accessibility.

Read more about our commitment to sustainability.

Learn more about our flagship studio in Ravenswood, Chicago.

Fast facts

• Maydel carries the largest selection of nickel-free and hypoallergenic hand needles in North America. We are also the North American distributor for Pony Black needles.

• No online retailer keeps more colors of DMC floss in stock than us. Even the fancy kinds. (Our Quick Search also helps you find colors lightning-fast.)

• Maydel is the only online retailer that sells fabric by the square inch and all of our kits (we call them “bundles”) are totally customizable. No wasting material or money.

• Maydel’s carbon footprint is very small, and we offset more than we produce via our partners at Tradewater. Our packaging is 100% recycled, curbside recyclable, and compostable.

• We donate more than 1% of our revenue (not profits) to environmental justice projects in Chicago and reinvest another 1% in underfunded entrepreneurs.

• Maydel is a member of Zebras Unite, Business for a Fair Minimum Wage, and the Craft Industry Alliance.

Our core principles

Honor: We behave ethically and respect the inherent worth of everyone we meet.

Cultivate: We continually develop ourselves and our business in reciprocity with our partners, our community, and the living earth.

Make history: We marry heritage and ingenuity to build a beloved and lasting institution.

About the founder

Maydel was founded by Lauren Venell, a 20-year veteran crafter, teacher, and designer. After recovering from a too-long stint in Silicon Valley she is thrilled to be back within her chosen community and to be building something meaningful within the great city of Chicago.

Headshot of Maydel founder Lauren Venell
Photo by Sarah Deragon of Portraits to the People.