A Clever Mess

04/12/2026

So in the temporary absence of an actual business presence for A Clever Mess, this account can be the fun and positive head of the Christine Ceberus.

Is there heaviness and existential dread in my heart from a variety of sources both near & far? Yer darn tootin'! But luckily for me I'm like a Belgian waffle with these expert compartmentalization skills.

So here's a recent recap of the fun I've been up to! Making progress on the cross stitch, spending an excessive amount of time holding cats, enjoying the wild violets growing inside of my garden, and embracing my love for Millennial Grey and silly bathroom decor.

Oh yeah, and starting a new day job that gives me butterflies in good ways. 🦋

Alright, that's enough of that. Happy Spring!

02/13/2026

Finished!

This embroidery kit from was so much fun!

Clear instructions, quality materials, and the links to tutorial videos were super helpful.

I might be addicted to embroidery now so if you need me I'll be... well... ok I'll be buying a thimble. And THEN I'll be stitching more. 🪡😁

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02/08/2026

In honor of our most esteemed Superb Owl, I have begun a new craft. (To add to the other 4 projects in progress... 😇)

Besides the occasional flourish in a cross stitch design, I've only tried embroidery once before and... lessons were learned. But I've got the bug to try again, so I've started this kit from and I'm having a blast so far.

Shout out for providing an extra piece of fabric for practicing because I needed it! Can't wait to post the finished project.

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02/01/2026

It's cold outside! So I'm inside, crafting...

My newest cross stitch project is a combination of a few things I hadn't tried before:

First, I'm trying a "parking" method that always looked really intimidating in pictures but honestly... I love it.

And second, I'm using this handy scroll stand that I picked up at ! I also grabbed a handful of needle threaders (squint and you can see a green one in the photo...) and some other supplies that I can't wait to pull out one day when I absolutely do not have the time to start something new. 🪡🎨

Anyway, this is a long-winded shout out to because they deserve it!

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12/31/2025

Fun fact: For the last few years of college I was preparing for graduate school and a career in Art Therapy.

Life took me in other directions, but I still believe wholeheartedly that creative and expressive arts hold incredible power as therapeutic tools, especially for children.

On Christmas Eve I donated a large bag of unsold craft kits and supplies to the Carilion Clinic Children's Inpatient Psychiatric department. I encourage you to explore similar opportunities in your communities, and I would like to incorporate more giving and community service into my life in 2026.

Also included are a photo of my current therapeutic craft (ok, one of many...), and a doodle inspired by an Instagram post I can't find anymore (if anyone recognizes it, please send it to me!) that I worked on during an emotionally difficult holiday phone call.

Do some arts & crafts, encourage others to do some arts & crafts, or simply appreciate some arts & crafts when you see them. It might make you feel better! ❤️

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12/21/2025

But really... Has anyone ever successfully built a store-bought gingerbread house???

12/09/2025

I finished this paint by number as a gift for my son last week, and one of my favorite things is seeing the colors and patterns left on my brush cleaning towel at the end of a project. I try to use the same towel for the entire project if possible, just for this reason. 🎨🖌️❤️

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12/08/2025

Felt like the Grinch this weekend packing everything up! (Don't worry,I left the lightbulbs...) 💡

Can't wait to see who moves into 301 S Pollard next 🙂

12/02/2025

It's official! 😭😭😭

Nah I'm not really crying, but I wish there were a more cryptic, creative, "Permanently closed... Or am I?" option.

But the reality is, this location is over & out. I would love to continue this journey in a new home but I don't have anything lined up yet.

I'll continue updating this page here & there with updates on craft projects sourced from my shop, other crafty and inspirational memes, etc etc and one day I hope for big news to share!

In the meantime, feel free to follow my snarkier alter-ego . Googly eyes as far as the googly can eye, available in awesome small gift shops, boutiques, book stores, even a museum (!) all over the US and a dabbling in Canada. Available in the Roanoke/Richmond area at , & , and perhaps
and (although I'm not sure if I'm still in stock there. Great places to visit either way, though!)

Thanks everyone! It's been fun!! ❤️🧶🦝🦊🎨🖌️

11/28/2025

My husband says you should do all your holiday shopping at The Shoppes on Pollard this weekend (last chance!) so I don't take over the garage when I bring everything home next week (😭😭)!

True story! Definitely not something I just made up!*

*Listen it's the sentiment that counts.

Come on out, Vinton, for our last weekend at The Shoppes on Pollard !!

Black Friday starts at 10am sharp!! Come see us tomorrow thru Sunday to stack some sales 🤩

——> we are OPEN til 7pm on Fri and til 4pm on Sat & Sun! Reminder: we are closing this location. Our last day in Vinton is THIS Sunday 11/30!

📍right across from Vinton Library

The Shoppes on Pollard • 25+ Small Businesses
𝔾𝕚𝕗𝕥𝕤 | 𝔻𝕖𝕔𝕠𝕣 | 𝔸𝕡𝕡𝕒𝕣𝕖𝕝 | 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕄𝕠𝕣𝕖
301 S Pollard St. Vinton, VA 24179

www.theshoppesonpollard.com

11/23/2025

Happy Thanksgiving Week! We are SO thankful for each and every one of you 🤎 this is also our final week here in Vinton. See the flyer for our hours!

——> tons of sales coming at you for our final 3 days 🤩 join us bright and early on Black Friday & Small Business Saturday!

📍right across from Vinton Library

The Shoppes on Pollard • 25+ Small Businesses
𝔾𝕚𝕗𝕥𝕤 | 𝔻𝕖𝕔𝕠𝕣 | 𝔸𝕡𝕡𝕒𝕣𝕖𝕝 | 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕄𝕠𝕣𝕖
301 S Pollard St. Vinton, VA 24179

www.theshoppesonpollard.com