Paperfolk Meets... Bohemian Sin

I always admire artists who combine various mediums and techniques but still manage to get beyond simply being experimental, creating beautiful products that are unique artworks to wear. Eugenia from Bohemian Sin shop does exactly that. Her works are fun, colourful, skilful and most importantly wearable! You can see more in her online shop.

Eugenia was kind enough to give us a behind the scenes peek into her textile practice...

How did you get into needlecraft?

I first started with doing things for myself. Like bobby pins from reclaimed fabrics or floral brooches from my old blouses. Later on, I realized that I just have too many just for me to use. But the desire to work and create was still there. I never took classes in this area. I just learned, in baby steps, on my own, by experimenting, mistaking and trying again.

What inspires you in your artworks?
The sources are so various. But the main sources are nature and tribal influences. I love both and I return to them with the same great pleasure every time.

Can you give us an insight into your process of creating your products from start to finish?

It usually starts with ‘’that will be nice to try this or to use this’’! Referring to a certain shape, or bead, or small things. Than, everything evolves gradually into bigger things by adding details, shapes or fabrics that I think will work with the initial idea. Sometimes I wonder ‘’Oh how could I do a certain thing’’? And I keep trying until I get something I like, usually far away from the starting point :)).

How do you keep yourself organized- lists, filing, sketchbooks?

Who said I am organized? They are a big fat liar! I think I’m hopeless regarding in this respect. Never sketch, never know where my needles are, nor my head.

Do you ever have creative blocks? How do you get through them?

Often. If I don’t come with a new idea in more than 5 days I start worrying. In this phase, I usually make myself a large coffee, I lose myself in beautiful things I discover over the internet – photography, art, jewelry. Or I threaten my brain that if it doesn’t come with a new idea I will take it back to my old job! Though my hands can't always manage to reproduce exactly the ideas transmitted from my brain.

 

 

 

Paperfolk Meets... Liz Toohey Wiese

 

Weaving is a craft that I know very little about but I think it can often be mistaken as being traditional and slightly old fashioned when in reality its a very experimental and organic craft. Liz Toohey- Wiese is an artist who uses weaving to great affect- earthy and homely yet bold and modern. Check out her Etsy shop to get a hold of some beautiful wall hangings.

 

Liz was kind enough to give us an insight into her studio and art practice...

How did you get into fibre arts?

I started weaving during a particularly long Christmas vacation at my family's house in 2012, needing the distraction of a winter craft. I made myself a loom from a cardboard box and taught myself initially through YouTube videos. Gradually I found some useful books on the topic, made friends with weavers, and slowly upgraded my cardboard loom to one made from copper pipes (though a cardboard loom still works quite well for many projects!). I began sharing my knowledge with others keen to learn how to make tapestries, and lead a half-dozen beginner weaving classes in Vancouver, BC. I have since moved to the community of Halifax, Nova Scotia where the fibre arts are much more prevalent. I am now undertaking my Masters of Fine Arts at NSCAD University, and have been given the opportunity to study weaving formally. While still making wall hangings, I am also making blankets, and learning how to use a Jacquard loom.

What inspires you in your artworks?

I love the woven work of Sheila Hicks and Gunta Stolz. "The Tapestry Handbook" by Carol K. Russell was a great resource to me as I learned to weave. I have a small collection of rugs, the two nicest ones are from Turkey that my partner bought for me. I love having handmade textiles around the house, and their presence is maybe the best motivation to keep creating woven objects. I am a painter as well as a weaver, and often the paintings I am currently working on inspire my colour palettes in my weavings.

Can you give us an insight into your process of creating your products from start to finish?

I often begin with one type of fibre I find interesting, maybe some thick angora wool or sparkling thread I found at a thrift store, and I am curious how it will look woven into a field. I often have only a basic idea to begin a piece with, this weaving will have a mountain shape in it, this one will have stripes, this one a circle. I work on a small table top loom, drink good coffee, and listen to a radio show or a documentary while working. My wall hangings take anywhere from a day to a few weeks to complete.

How do you keep yourself organised?

In my studio I pin everything important onto my wall. This includes ideas for future projects, forms to fill out, letters to send. I have a sketchbook for ideas, mostly I use that for long term projects. All my yarns stay in baskets organized by colour. There are definitely lists of notes and drawings scattered on my desk, I am not the most organized person and things do sometimes get lost...

Do you ever have creative blocks? How do you get through them?

Right now I have the luxury to treat my art practice like a full time job, I aim to spend at least 40 hours a week in studio and sometimes more. This time last year I was working full time during the day and weaving until 1 or 2 in the morning most nights, I am trying to take advantage of being in school again and going to my studio as much as possible. Some days I go to the studio and clean, or take care of my houseplants in the window, or catch up on e-mails, and don't work on any art projects. But sometimes in that busyness a new idea will come to me, some problem will be solved, and in that case I am in the right spot to go right back into a weaving, a drawing, or a painting.

Paperfolk Meets... Jody Rice

 

Meet Jody Rice...

 

 

Jody is the very talented lady behind Satsuma Street; a gorgeous shop filled with contemporary cross-stitch patterns. It was the beautiful colour palettes that initially attracted me to the shop and after finding out a little more I wanted to share some behind the scenes info with all of you. Jody was kind enough to answer some questions for us...

How did you get into needlecraft?

 

I started doing needlecrafts as a little kid, with my grandmother.  When I would go to visit her, she always had some kind of craft project going, and she encouraged me to try everything.  Then I got serious about sewing in college, when I majored in costume design.  I worked as a seamstress for many years, and costuming requires that you learn a little bit of everything to do with textiles and fibre arts.  Now when I want to learn a new craft, I usually just pick it up on my own and read as much as I can about it.

 

 

What inspires you in your artworks?

 

I'm very influenced by my favorite artists from the 1950's and 60's, like Mary Blair, Alexander Girard, and Vera Neumann.  So I spend a lot of time immersing myself in their work. I collect vintage craft books and magazines, and love browsing through those and marveling at how crazy and fearless some of that craft design was.  And color is such a big part of my work, so I collect images from magazines and online that have interesting color combinations I might want to use.   

 

 

Can you give us an insight into your process of creating your products from start to finish?

Every pattern design starts with a lot of thumbnail sketches, where I work out my ideas for the general composition and scale of the piece.  I start choosing a palette pretty early, as color is so important to my style and often inspires a lot of ideas.  If it's a city design, there's also a lot of research at that stage, where I gather photos of the landmarks I plan to include.  Then I do a pretty detailed sketch of the design at full scale, and I often do that on graph paper since the final image will have to work well in a graph format.  Next I translate that sketch into a cross stitch software, where I make the initial chart for stitching and choose the embroidery floss colors that best match my palette.  Then I stitch the pattern sample, and as I do that I constantly reconsider my color choices and often have to pull out large sections and restitch them with a new color.  Once I'm completely happy with the sample, I go back and edit the chart to reflect the changes before I finally release the pattern and put it in my shop for sale.  Depending on the complexity of the design, the whole process can take 3 to 4 weeks.

 

 

How do you keep yourself organised?

I'm naturally a very organized person, so I document everything I do and keep to a very strict filing system on my computer.  I hate having a lot of random bits of paper so I tend to scan things and keep them on my computer, where it's easier to find them.  Keeping myself on schedule is a bit harder for me… I tend to get wrapped up in what I'm doing and suddenly a whole day is gone without my noticing!  So lately I'm trying to set timers for myself, I'll allow myself 2 hours to get something done, set a timer on my phone, and then when the timer goes off I have to stop working and evaluate whether I should keep going, or put that work aside and do something else on my list.  It's also a good way to prevent myself from pouring too much time into an idea that may not be working. 

 

 

Do you ever have creative blocks?

Oh man, all the time!  The best part about working for myself is that when I'm feeling totally uninspired, I can just take the day off!  I'm a big fan of taking long walks, that usually gets my brain going again and I often come up with my best ideas that way.  But I also believe in doing something creative every day, no matter what it is.  Creativity is like a muscle, you have to keep it limber and warmed up by doing little things all the time, then when you really need to rely on it, it's ready.  So even if it's just doodling, or having a side project that's totally unrelated to the work for my shop, I'm doing something creative every day.  That's the only way to keep the occasional creative block from becoming a big deal.

 

 

 

 

Paperfolk Meets... Kelly Flegal Embroidery Artist

 

Meet Kelly Flegal!...

 

 

Kelly is the artist behind Chest of Drawers and The Embroidered Bride, two amazing online stores featuring gorgeous needlecraft products. I was attracted to Kelly's work because of its vintage feel and intricacy in embroidery techniques. I have been lucky to have a little bit of Kelly's time to answer a few questions about her craft. Enjoy!


How did you get into needlecraft?

I graduated with a degree in fine arts, majoring in fiber and material studies at Tyler School of Art, of Temple University, Philadelphia PA. Initially I had intended on being a painting major, but after taking a course in textiles I completely fell in love with the world of fiber arts. I love the freedom that comes with this field. Unlike other areas of study I was able to make both two and three dimensional artwork, often stretching the boundaries of "craft" vs. "fine art". I was also able to combine the different forms of fiber art into installation art, utilizing all the skills I learned in one space. In school I focused on combining the many options into installations which featured needle-felted sculptures. After graduating, I was given the honor of being accepted as an apprentice at the highly regarded, Fabric Workshop and Museum of Philadelphia PA. Here I was given the chance to develop my textile design and silk-screened yardage techniques. At the same time I was spending all of my free time embroidering millions of french knots for my Etsy shop The Chest Of Drawers. Now I also have another Etsy shop which focuses on bridal embroidery where I have explored traditional floral techniques (www.etsy.com/shop/TheEmbroideredBride). I find the process of embroidering to be relaxing and therapeutic, something I really enjoy. I love to share this passion with my Etsy friends and I hope to continue to learn new techniques that I hope to share with the world.

What inspires you in your artworks?

Having a minor in art history, I am deeply inspired by the level of craftsmanship in historical paintings, tapestries, sculpture and even historical furniture. I was greatly influenced by my 3 month stay in Rome, during a study abroad program. Here I became very intriqued in the role that society and class played in portraiture and other forms of art and craft throughout history. Also, I am greatly inspired by color and how this affects the mood and emotion within each of us as human beings. This is primarily what influences my gradient embroidery hoops seen on my Etsy shop. Finally, I find that repeating the same process over and over again is very theraputic, which is why I am able to build up surface with millions of french knots without going crazy (haha!).

Can you give us an insight into your process of creating your products from start to finish?

This depends on the piece, but for the most part I am inspired by color. I pull the embroidery floss combinations that are speaking to me at that moment and from there decide what it will become. I love the process of organizing color into gradients and finding each minor change in color and putting them in order. From there I usually let the form of the gradient or the jewelry find itself, rather than forcing it into something that feels exactly that, forced. I am currently working on gradient embroidery hoops of multiple colors and this has been a fun challenge that I can't wait to share with my shop followers. In terms of my bridal shop, I like to talk to my brides and learn as much as I can about them, their FI, and their wedding. I like to know their inspiration, see their mood-boards and get an idea for their color scheme. This makes it personal and I am able to create something completely unique to their wedding and personalize it to their relationship. It is a very rewarding and fulfilling experience when I have pleased a couple and added a little light to their big day.

How do you keep yourself organised?

I have never been one to keep up with their sketchbook, and I have tried since middle school. I tend to be very unorganized in that respect and try to keep all of my scattered pieces of sketches on paper in binders. I also keep binders with color swatches, print outs of techniques, and project ideas. I am also very very OCD when it comes to my embroidery floss. I think I have about 4 or 5 plastic containers of organized floss which i re-organize often. Other than that I have fabric and supplies in wall storage. I try my best to keep organized when it comes to each project as well, designating one section to the piece that I am working on at the current time.

Do you ever have creative blocks? How do you get through them?

I do have creative blocks, I think everyone does. I try to keep myself busy, working on something, anything, all the time. Otherwise it is so hard to get back into the flow of things. Luckily, I have many different outlets, if I am getting a block from one of my shops I try to work on something in the other and if I have trouble making anything for my shops I try to work on some fine art pieces. In the case that I am completely lost for an idea, which happens, I love to search the internet for artwork and inspiration. Eventually there is something that inspires. I am also a sucker for art - books and flip through them often to get inspiration. Sometimes you find inspiration in the least suspecting of places.

Contacts for Kelly are...

www.etsy.com/shop/TheChestOfDrawers
www.etsy.com/shop/TheEmbroideredBride

Website:
www.cargocollective.com/kellyflegal

Paperfolk meets... cOnieco

Working in the studio

I am always a huge admirer of artists who employ embroidery techniques that I don't use in my work. Needle painting is one of those techniques that I really admire and often think of taking up myself. Painting with a needle doesn't suit my style of illustration but it works amazingly well with subjects taken from nature. I came across the work of cOnieco when I was rooting around on Pinterest. The artist creates beautiful brooches in Poland and sells her wares on Etsy. Every work looks like a miniature painting and would cheer up any outfit.

We asked cOnieco to share her inspiration and ideas with us...


How did you get into needlecraft?
　

I'm from an artistic family so creativity has always been a part of my whole life . As a child I used to like to paint, draw and deal with all kinds of handicrafts. I finished art school but I learned a lot of things by myself, including embroidery. I discovered embroidery as a teenager when I found a book about folk embroidery. I really liked it so I decided to try it myself. It came naturally to me because I had a background in various other fields of art. Embroidery is very time consuming so I had to postpone it for a while and got back to it after a few years. I started to play around with  felt and I discovered how good it looks when it's combined with embroidery. Soft painterly effects can be achieved by using the felting technique and  look perfect in combination with an acute line of threads.

　

　

What inspires you in your artworks?

Nature itself is my greatest inspiration. It contains all sorts of colours, shapes and textures.

　

　
Can you give us an insight into your process of creating your products from start to finish?

Firstly, I make a shape from a piece of wool with a technique called dry felting. Dry felting is completed by using a special felting needle to prod wool until it becomes the thickness/texture needed. I then paint with a needle on the felt, apply colours and in the end embroider finer details.

　

　

How do you keep yourself organised?

Unfortunately I'm completely unorganized! I work when I find some spare time and as a freelancer, I never know when it will happen. Mostly my work is based on images which fall into my hands and usually I don't make any sketches.

I have plenty ideas in my head (sometimes too much) which isn't always good because I forget to realize lots of them.

　

　

Do you ever have creative blocks? How do you get through them?

I'm really lucky I have never had them. Creating is, for me, a way to kill time and relax. It's a natural need to do something.

Paperfolk meets... Nepinka

While I was looking around for some inspiration online I found Nepinka. Using the traditional method of beading she creates jewellery and gifts which are completely unique. For those who don't know much about beading, it's a painstaking process where tiny beads of various colours are stitched or knitted together to create a design. The designs are modern but use a high quality traditional technique to be completed which is great (and time consuming!)

We're lucky to have Nepinka sharing her process with us here on the blog. Please check out her shop and let us know what you think...

Nepinka at work in the studio

How did you get into needlecraft/beadwork?
 

Once I created a fabric headband for myself. It was beautiful, but I understood, that i'd wear it for one season and then I wouldn't wear it again. I thought it would be nice to create things, that people could wear for years and maybe leave for their children. Especially in modern life, when machines can create millions of similar products without soul. At school I had few lessons in beadwork, and it started to bring back memories of skills I have always had. I also used the internet to find new beading methods and techniques. I've come a long way from basic techniques and cheap beads! I now use complicated techniques and high quality beads to create all of my designs. For example I have mastered the technique of purse bead knitting using 5 needles.
 

 

 

What inspires you in your artworks? 
 

The things and events around me. For instance I have book with ancient pottery of my land with funny titles like 'Hunter shooting at a bear that attacked hare'. From that book I created a pattern for my 'soldiers' purse. Also as I started to be a vegetarian, I started to work on a vegetables jewelry collection.

 

Can you give us an insight into your process of creating your products from start to finish?  

My process can last months from  the perfect product inside my head to the actual finished item. I make  a few samples in different techniques and then use different sizes of beads to complete the desired result.

                    

How do you keep yourself organised?  

Beadwork takes time. For small pieces – 1-2 days, big, detailed – 1-2 weeks, purses 1-2 months so in a way I can't forget anything ;) Sometimes i use sticky notes to keep me from forgetting things.

 
Do you ever have creative blocks? How do you get through them?  
It has happened in the past unfortunately. One day I would have thousands of ideas but no time to create, then when I had a lot of time not a single idea what to do! It helps to note or draw the idea or item. I always allow myself to create what I want, or have inspiration for so I always work on a few projects at a time. Working this way means it's pretty hard to find time for creative blocks. I have few collections that I develop when I get some time in between orders. I also started a partnership with a fabric designer, as I think it's nice when fabric and jewelry complement each other.
 
 

 


 
https://www.etsy.com/shop/nepinka
http://www.facebook.com/Nepinka

Paperfolk meets... An Astrid Endeavor

Don't you just love it when you're trawling the internet looking for something a bit different and then you stumble across beautiful items that you just have to have? This is how I felt when I came across An Astrid Endeavor. As someone who embroiders I really appreciate an embroidered work because I know just how long it has taken to make and also how much the maker has loved creating the item. I have been so lucky to be able to get Astrid to share her inspiration and process.

Enjoy!

Astrid at work in her studio

 

How did you get into needlecraft?

I dabbled in so many artistic endeavors (hence the title) over the years and working with embroidery and textiles is just one form that I learned at an early age, and kind of kept in my "back pocket" to experiment with from time to time in my artwork and crafting projects. I have always made jewelry mostly using glass, metal, ceramics and mixed media- but since having a family and a full time job I wasn't able to use the machines and materials in my small home studio. I started using embroidery as a way to create jewelry pieces and ornaments because of how simple, quiet and easy to transport it is. It's perfect for me to do after a long day of work and taking care of my daughter. After everyone is asleep, I can be in my studio quietly creating!! 

Crescent shaped necklace available here

 

What inspires you in your artworks?
 

Over the past few years geometrics have really been in the forefront of fashion and design, which is so wonderful since that's really what I've been drawn to. Part of my background is in Cultural Anthropology (as well as medical anthropology, art and counseling psychology) I've always been fascinated with how other cultures observe rites and rituals and how they adorn themselves accordingly. I love African design, colors, textiles and jewelry design, Angela Fishers book, "Africa Adorned" makes me drool!! 

Geometric Embroidered Brooch available here

 

Can you give us an insight into your process of creating your products from start to finish? 
 

Luckily, I grew up being taught that you can make just about anything! So, when I see a design, or image, a color or have an idea- I just start sketching it out and then see where it takes me. Sometimes I need to enlarge or scale down an image  for scope- to see how it might work on the body. Once I do that, I am ready to hand sketch it onto fabric and then I choose my colors. I work primarily with regular cotton DMC embroidery floss. Wow, what a variety of colors!! 

Most of the time a piece is relatively straightforward, but occasionally it's something I need to think about and rework for awhile, then when it's complete, it's just the best feeling and is usually one of my favorite pieces. As in the case of my latest design for late Summer/Fall 2013: 

https://www.etsy.com/listing/155170131/textile-pendant-necklace-in-pink-blue?ref=shop_home_active

I have always loved textile wall hangings ever since I was a kid and took weaving classes with my mom. I love how they are making a comeback in home decor. So, it was so exciting when I thought to myself, "wait a sec- I want to take that same concept but scale it down for the body!" It took some thought to figure out how I might be able to do this on a miniature scale, and I am so pleased with how it turned out. There are a lot more in the works- but they take a lot of time to do!!

Textile Pendant available here

 

How do you keep yourself organised- lists, filing, sketchbooks? 
 

Oh my. Well, I try to stay as organized as possible. Everything has it's place- but I do have a lot of stuff. Since I have so many artistic interests, I have just about every supply one might need for any project. I have also been collecting images from books and magazines since I was a kid, so you can image the files I have. Now, with the internet, it's a little easier. God, I love Pinterest for this reason alone!! 

http://pinterest.com/AstridEndeavor



Statement Bib Necklace available here

Do you ever have creative blocks? How do you get through them? 
 

Occasionally, I have a bit of a creative block. That's usually when I am exhausted and need to sleep. Since I do most of my jewelry making at night I often forego sleep to create since I love it so much! When I find myself sluggish or having a hard time getting through a project I just put it down and get some rest. Creating is truly my passion and what energizes me, but the human body can only endure so much and then it needs rest!

Geometric Emerald Green Brooch available here

 

Paperfolk meets... Nicola Mascall

Nicola Mascall is a British artist who specialises in miniature needlework. The skill and patience required to produce such detailed work on a very small scale (a cushion is 3cm x 3cm!) is absolutely incredible. Nicola has been kind enough to answer some questions about her practice and give us a hint of the process behind her works and business.

Nicola working in her studio

How did you get into needlecraft?

I have always had a passion for arts and crafts and spent my early working years in art, design and illustration having gained a higher diploma at art school. My love of needlework came from my mother who was an exceptional needlewoman. She encouraged me to sew and knit from a really early age.

My love for 'petit point' grew steadily after discovering the wonderful world of dolls house miniatures back in 1992. I found it a joy to create designs inspired by historic needlework. I particularly enjoyed the challenge of producing items to scale. I work on a marvellous fabric called 'silk gauze'. This is a fine mesh with varying degrees of hole size. Many of my designs are stitched on 40 count gauze (40 stitches per inch) with one strand of cotton. I also work on finer counts with pure silk thread. My finest designs are worked on 72 count. This is very challenging and a good magnifier is very important.

Parrot Cushion

What inspires you in your artworks?

In the past two years my interest has mainly been in miniature rugs and carpets. I adore the intricate designs of Oriental rugs which lend themselves so well to the medium in which I work. I am currently working on a 'William Morris' carpet which I saw at Tate Britain last year.

When I have time, I love to visit Historic houses, Museums and Galleries. The sumptuous upholstery, wallhangings, cushions, carpets etc found in such places are always inspirational to me. The V&A Museum in London has been a constant source of inspiration. I am also an avid viewer of historical dramas and documentaries.

Juliette Rug

Can you give us an insight into your process of creating your products from start to finish?

Some of my designs come purely from my imagination. As in painting, I just start from a blank canvas with maybe a vague idea in my mind. I have a wonderful cross stitch design programme on my PC which enables me to play around with ideas from a wide pallete of colours. Many of my designs are scaled down imitations of actual designs. Here I often begin by scanning a photo into my PC to give me a vague idea of the scaled down pattern. This then has to be modified and simplified over and over until I am happy with the general pattern (or chart). This can sometimes take a week or more. I begin stitching but inevitably have to make alterations as I go.  For this, the cross stitch program is invaluable to me.

Scallop Footstool

How do you keep yourself organised?

I rarely run out of ideas as one design usually leads to another. I try to organize my time so that I don't spend all day (and I mean ALL day) sewing. I have to keep on top of my stock of kits as these are my bread and butter.  I sell finished items regularly to collectors but it is very hard to charge a realistic hourly rate. I often receive commissions and usually rise to the challenge. If I am not inspired by the request I will not accept the commission.

Floral/Ribbon Rug

I am not a particularly organised person and once every so often I have to take a step back and assess what I am currently doing. I get so immersed in a project (particularly a carpet or a rug) that its easy to get blinkered. The only time I really manage to organise myself is when a dolls house  fair is looming. Each year I attend 5 or 6 fairs. About 4 weeks prior to the fair I set up my stand in my studio to see what needs doing. I prioritise and make numerous lists. It's always essential that I have kits available for all the items I display unless they are 'one-offs'.

Strawberry Thief Cushion

More info about Nicola can be found on her website by clicking on the link above or going to www.nicolamascallminiatures.co.uk