About

  


I’m Andrea Campbell, an ADHD Portland artist turned serial entrepreneur. I write under the moniker of a very embittered character named Maura Less (get it?).

My obsession with art started early—like, age six. I’ll never forget watching my second cousin Betty press paint between two pages, creating magical landscapes out of blobs and smears. That moment planted something deep in me: this desire to keep creating wonder.

I studied rhetoric and art at UC Davis and later earned an MBA from San Francisco State University, where I worked as a Farber Intern at Ashbury Images through REDF. After the dot-com bust, I went back to SFSU to study psychology, earning a scholarship to present my thesis at the WPA. But then life took a turn: I had a baby, launched Baby Wit which I sold in 2021, and hit over $100K in sales within the first year. That was the end of the thesis.

The Journey of MoonEaze™

In 2007, after my son was born, I created MoonEaze™—fastener-free baby rompers. (They were originally called Yankers, which I still love, but then Crank Yankers showed up, I lost the trademark, and honestly, the name kind of needed a rethink anyway.)

When the world slowed down during the 2020 pandemic, I expanded MoonEaze™ to include women’s fastener-free Union Suits—long underwear designed for comfort, with a back panel that actually works.

Learning to sew was its own adventure. Every day I’m figuring out something new—sewing has taken me to deep, frustrating, and ridiculously rewarding places. It’s addictive. My son caught the bug too, and now we hang out in my studio making things together.

Community Projects

In 2021, I got a grant from the City of Portland and launched Makers Outlet, a pop-up shop where I combined my love for sample sales with a space for local vendors to sell discounted handmade goods. It was chaotic and amazing.

The Shift

Recently, I had the opportunity to take part in a TiE Oregon bootcamp, where I built a solid pitch and a business plan to expand MoonEaze™ into a line of comfy clothing I called Restful for Gen X women with no zippers, buttons, snaps or elastic bands (No Hard Bits). I had the branding, the messaging, the buyers—all of it was lining up. Then, reality hit:

  1. Market Challenges: I did a market survey and found women are hesitant about one-pieces. Perhaps too many bad experiences with one. In people's mind they seem problematic. 
  2. Customizations: I realized that every body is different and what I really want to do for MoonEaze is offer a customized solution and tailor it to each individual. I live in my MoonEaze during the winter and would love to offer everyone a tailored one.
  3. Sourcing Issues: The fabric I wanted was expensive and hard to find. Each piece would’ve cost $60-$80 just to make, which meant $240 retail. And, the other day, I found the exact same design on Amazon from a Chinese company retailing for $39.
  4. Marketing Burnout: The time and energy I’d have to spend on social media, website upkeep, and promotion? Soul-crushing.
  5. Life Priorities: I haven’t read a book in years and I used to read every day!
  6. Perspective Shift: After Trump was elected, it felt pointless to pour so much energy into marketing when my friend was out there feeding the homeless every week.

To pay the bills, I handle the retail website for my favorite basketball team and I struggle to find the time I need for my passion projects.

So, I decided to scale back. No more chasing perfection. Instead, I’m writing my blog about the thoughts that keep me up at night (that eventually turn into tees) and tips for Gen X women, making my comfort obsessed clothing (shop.nohardbits.com), and clearing out my wardrobe.

Mission

I don't have any real mission except to keep my head above water, create and make it through what looks to be an unfettered decade of in-your-face good old patriotic kleptocracy. Oh well, at least it's out in the open now rather than hidden away behind fake smiles and platitudes. 

Bitter Threads Products Are Only Available In My Store & On Etsy My No Hard Bits clothing line is available in my Etsy store and online at No Hard Bits.

Sustainability

I do my best. I’m small, and sustainability doesn’t come cheap, but I source locally, work with deadstock fabric, and keep things simple. Popular designs are printed in-house on sustainable, USA-made blanks using transfers sourced in the USA and made from screenprinting inks or DFT (direct to film) transfers. I price items based on what it costs me to make them—usually doubled—because, you know, bills. Sale items? Those are priced at cost or less. No middlemen. Just me, trying to make this work.

Upcycled Items

I repurpose cast-off items by adding decals, patches, fabric appliques, fabric painting, or dyeing the garment. This process is really fun but takes a bit of time so the pricing reflects this. I also repair items that are just too special not to have another go at it. 

Sample Sale Items

I have made a lot of samples, one-of-a-kind pieces originally created to test pieces for past clothing lines all made in Portland, Oregon. These unique items represent my creative experimentation and design process. Don't miss the opportunity to own a unique piece of apparel with a distinctive style that no one else has for very little money.

Sourcing Transparency:

Baby Rompers, MoonEaze™& P05K™ are handcrafted by me, right here in Portland, Oregon—land of craft beer, kombucha, and people who take sustainability very seriously. I make my MoonEaze™ long underwear one-pieces, baby rompers, and belt skirts with care, from sustainable materials, and print on sustainable tees. So, you can feel pretty good knowing you’re not contributing to the fast-fashion dumpster fire.

I believe in being transparent about where my materials come from, so here’s a look at the sources I rely on:

For MoonEaze™, I source fabrics from Kinderel, while for P05K™, I purchase deadstock end rolls locally from Pine Crest Fabrics.

When it comes to blanks, I prioritize sustainability and quality. I use Royal Apparel for their USA-made, eco-friendly options and also source from Original Favorites. Though not made in the USA, their products are high quality, sustainably produced and Fair Trade certified.

For stickers I use local company Diesel Fuel Prints and Sticker Mule for super small runs where I am testing a design. Neither of these are sustainably made. 

For mailers I use bags from my past businesses and recycled boxes I get at work.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Jacki Gethner | Matter Of Fact Approach To Aging

Image
During my brief but memorable encounter with Jacki Gethner at a local writer's café, I was drawn to her candid style of communication.   Our conversation covered a range of topics, but what stood out to me was Jacki's dedication to helping people affected by illness to become advocates for their own health. Jacki faced the challenge of living with Hepatitis C and spent many years trying to access medical treatment. Unfortunately, her efforts were unsuccessful due to her age and state restrictions. It wasn't until she reached the age of 65 and became eligible for Medicare that she was finally able to receive the treatment she needed. Despite the struggles with her own health, Jacki has dedicated her career to supporting and educating individuals with a wide range of health challenges. As a licensed massage therapist and Reiki Master, Jacki specializes in somatic therapy and teaches individuals skills to overcome barriers specific to their population. Her expertise has been p...
Read more

Hecate: A Patron Goddess for Aging Women

Image
  As we age, it can be challenging to feel seen or valued in a society that emphasizes youth and beauty. At Bitter Threads, I am celebrating aging women and challenging societal expectations that lead to feelings of invisibility. That's why I have chosen Hecate as our patron goddess - she embodies the strength, wisdom, and resilience we hope to inspire in women of all ages. There are several qualities and associations that make her an ideal representative for us. Wisdom and Experience As a mature goddess, Hecate represents the wisdom and experience of age. She is often depicted as a guide or mentor, leading others through dark or difficult times. For aging women, this representation is powerful and vital, as it reminds us that our age brings a wealth of knowledge and insight that should be celebrated. Independence and Self-Reliance Hecate was often associated with independence and self-reliance. In ancient Greece, she was worshiped by women living alone or outside traditional ...
Read more

Donna Maxey | On Seeing You

Image
  Writing a blog post about someone who has played such a meaningful role in people's lives is no easy task. It can be challenging to find the right words to convey the depth of their impact, but upon meeting Donna Maxey, one thing is clear – you feel seen. Truly seen. Donna Maxey is an inspiring figure who has dedicated her life to promoting racial equity and understanding. As the founder of   RACE TALKS: Uniting to Break the Chains of Racism , a nonprofit organization based in Portland, Oregon, she has created a space for people to engage in conversations about race and racism, helping to dispel preconceived notions people may have about one another. Donna's commitment to community service can be traced back to her parents, Johnnie Obina Samples and Charles Maxey, both of whom were actively involved in giving back to their community. Charles joined the NAACP as a college student, an underground activity, and many decades later he received the honorary Freedom Award Citation ...
Read more