Meet Margie Bradley | Author & CEO of Grandma Etta’s Quilting Inc.

We had the good fortune of connecting with Margie Bradley and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Margie, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Under normal circumstances I would have been overwhelmed with the composition of a business plan. Location, budgeting, prospective clientele, as well as other logistics. One day while in my living room, I stitched together a quilt as a birthday gift for a friend. To their amazement and satisfaction, they suggested that I contact local media outlets highlighting “hand stitched quilting…a lost art”. That conversation and just a few months birthed Grandma Etta’s Quilting Inc.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’d like to mirror myself with the letter W. Intertwined with itself are three letter V’s. I am a vivacious, vicarious, and victorious woman. When I am sewing, I am empowered with an abundance of energy. The energy needed to unite the thread, the needle, and the scraps into a single work of art. Uniquely, there’s no specific pattern used when designing. Upon completion one receives a beautiful creation that brings on a huge smile of amazement, delight, and satisfaction. They oft times ask, “How long did it take?” My reply, just a few moments of time. During each moment I begin to reflect on being a child sitting on the floor assisting Grandma Etta as she sat in her chair stitching together moments of memories, comfort, and safety. Professionally, I’m aware that the process entails challenges, obstacles, and criticisms. Victoriously, I realize that my challenges, obstacles, and criticisms work together in perfect harmony like threads, needles, and scraps. Therefore, I am motivated in pursuit of the journey ahead. With this journey lies great expectations and expressions of love sewn with a long-lost art.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I can only imagine that after such a long trip by bus, train, plane, or car that the immediate response would be a good long hot shower and some rest. Afterwards, the very first stop would be at Margie’s kitchen for breakfast. That’s correct, yours truly. We’d have a good old fashioned homemade breakfast. The menu would include grits, home-styled biscuits, home fries, eggs, bacon, and sausage. A cup of coffee, tea, and or orange juice to wash it all down. After a moment of relaxation, we’d travel about six blocks to order some of my favorite pizza. Pizzatini it is! As we wait for our pizza pie, I’d introduce my guest to the Chef! Then we’ll ride around Hempstead and get acquainted with the suburb’s finest people, places, and things. A few more blocks away is Eisenhower Park, Roosevelt Field Shopping Mall, and The Cradle of Aviation Museum. After that let’s travel further south to Oceanside. An all-inclusive Italian meal awaits at La Parma. The staff is hospitable, the food is great, and the ambiance sets a pleasant and relaxing mood. As the evening approaches, we will travel to the end of Long Island. Montauk. It is a very popular tourist attraction that is sometimes referred to as “The Last Resort”. The week is over. Just before we say goodbye, we’ll return to where it all began. Margie’s Kitchen. To top it off the menu will consist of fried whiting, hush muffins, red rice, and corn on the cobb. Let us not forget dessert. A delicious array of pies, cobblers, and cakes. A wonderful and delightful ending.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
First and foremost, to God who makes all things possible. To my parents. Then to Grandma Mary Etta who is memorialized in each aspect of the stitching. To my siblings, family, and friends. My first born, LeMarr. To Attorney Howard Ervin who is responsible for the fruition of Grandma Etta’s Quilting Inc. To my L.A. supporters Tiffany Griffin and Lois Glenn-Carter. A special shout-out to Marlon P. Townsend of MPT Enterpryze who is responsible for my public relation endeavors. Ryan Wilson of 3rd Lounge CEO for the graphic visual aspects of Grandma Etta’s. To each and every emptor both past and future. Lastly, thanks to the editorial staff for this opportunity.

Instagram: grandmaettasquilting

Facebook: Margie Townsend

Other: Email: grandmaettasquilting@gmail.com