General Info

Bonnie's Embroidery and Engraving started as a hobby in 1999 after I retired from 28 years of teaching middle school. My husband, Mike, bought a Pfaff embroidery machine for my birthday about six months before I retired. After several classes, I had embroidered numerous items for my Mom, Mother-in Law, and myself and wondered what I could embroider next. It was then that two teachers at my former middle school asked if I could embroider sweatshirts for the cheerleaders and polo shirts for the pep band. That was the beginning of my small business. After embroidering cheer, pep band, staff shirts and student council shirts for Masuda Middle School, other schools in the Fountain Valley School District asked if I could do the same for them. Within two years I was embroidering shirts for nearly every school in the district and also doing shirts for the district office. Through acquaintances, I expanded to schools in Irvine, Saddleback, and Capistrano districts. My business has grown to include numerous companies, sports teams, etc.While attending a trade show in August of 2002, I became interested in adding glass engraving to my business. By November I was already taking orders and delivering engraved glass items. Much to my husband's surprise, the engraving orders were flying in.In August of 2004, I added one more item to my business. I now offer 2 inch "campaign style" buttons that can be made for any special occasion or for advertising.Before retiring from teaching, I had made a list of things that I planned to do during retirement. Little did I know that I would own a small business and be working seven days a week during the busy seasons. Needless to say, the list of retirement activities is on hold.