Izzy & Gina in stitches

It's been a while! A year to be precise...so we thought we'd have a little natter about what we've been up to over the past year, where are currently in our art practice, and what may lie ahead. Welcome to our podcast for all stitchers, embroiderers, textile artists and creative souls, where we have friendly informal conversations about what it actually means to be an artist working in...

Gina has just finished two very quiet Open Studios weekends and has now learned that her summer schools won't run this year, leaving her uncertain about the future. Izzy feels a bit flat and uninspired, As usual, she has lots of ideas for things she could do, but not quite enough motivation to pursue any of them! She needs to move forward soon but in which direction? So how do we both decide w...

As we pass midsummer and start thinking about holidays and other summer pursuits we've both found our creativity diverted into other activities. As artists, should we worry? Welcome to our podcast for all stitchers, embroiderers, textile artists and creative souls, where we have friendly informal conversations about life in general, and art and creativity in particular. Isobel and Gina are bot...

Do you find that creativity ebbs and flows? In this episode we discuss how we face the challenge of not feeling very creative whilst recognising there will be other times when we have more ideas than we can put into practice. Welcome to our podcast for all stitchers, embroiderers, textile artists and creative souls, where we have friendly informal conversations about what it actually means to be a...

How would you like to be remembered? As creative people we leave a lot of ‘stuff’ behind us but in this episode we chat about the true legacy we would like to leave rather than just the things we make. Welcome to our podcast for all stitchers, embroiderers, textile artists and creative souls, where we have friendly informal conversations about what it actually means to be an artist working in text...

Do you think of yourself as a perfectionist? In this episode we discuss what perfectionism means to us and whether it can be a good thing or a hindrance. Welcome to our podcast for all stitchers, embroiderers, textile artists and creative souls, where we have friendly informal conversations about what it actually means to be an artist working in textiles. Isobel and Gina are both practicing artist...

What's the first thing we do when it all gets a bit overwhelming - and how else do we take care of ourselves? Welcome to our podcast for all stitchers, embroiderers, textile artists and creative souls, where we have friendly informal conversations about what it actually means to be an artist working in textiles. Isobel and Gina are both practicing artists and tutors specialising in machine emb...

This week we have a listener question: "I need to impose my own deadlines to keep me on track. But how do I balance my need for a deadline against my inevitable angst when I can't meet them?" Welcome to our podcast for all stitchers, embroiderers, textile artists and creative souls, where we have friendly informal conversations about what it actually means to be an artist working in...

What's the biggest thing we've made? The smallest? And does size matter, anyway? Welcome to our podcast for all stitchers, embroiderers, textile artists and creative souls, where we have friendly informal conversations about what it actually means to be an artist working in textiles. Isobel and Gina are both practicing artists and tutors specialising in machine embroidery, but we’re still...

How should we respond to critical comments on social media? Can we learn from them? Or is it just good manners to wait to be asked before giving your opinion? Welcome to our podcast for all stitchers, embroiderers, textile artists and creative souls, where we have friendly informal conversations about what it actually means to be an artist working in textiles. Isobel and Gina are both practicing a...

What would you do if you lost it all - your creative work, your tools and supplies, your archive...where would you start, to replace it? Would you? This was the knotty question asked by a listener to the podcast! Welcome to our podcast for all stitchers, embroiderers, textile artists and creative souls, where we have friendly informal conversations about what it actually means to be an artist work...

Selling: no matter how much experience we have, it's still a tricky topic. How can we face our fears and feel better about selling? Welcome to our podcast for all stitchers, embroiderers, textile artists and creative souls, where we have friendly informal conversations about what it actually means to be an artist working in textiles. Isobel and Gina are both practicing artists and tutors specialis...

Not just for big companies: artists have a brand, too! At its simplest, our brand is the sum of everything we are and do, not just a logo or some pretty colours.  Welcome to our podcast for all stitchers, embroiderers, textile artists and creative souls, where we have friendly informal conversations about what it actually means to be an artist working in textiles. Isobel and Gina are both pra...

From fashion to felt, patchwork to hashtags, and teaching Kirstie Allsopp to needlefelt along the way, Jayne Emerson's journey through art and textiles has taken all kinds of fascinating twists and turns. Join us as we untangle the threads! Welcome to our podcast for all stitchers, embroiderers, textile artists and creative souls, where we have friendly informal conversations about what it actuall...

Do you want to reach for the stars? Dream big? What's holding you back? Welcome to our podcast for all stitchers, embroiderers, textile artists and creative souls, where we have friendly informal conversations about what it actually means to be an artist working in textiles. Isobel and Gina are both practicing artists and tutors specialising in machine embroidery, but we’re still figuring it all o...

In the last episode of 2022, we reflect on the best bits of the past year, the things we've learned, and what we might do differently next year. Welcome to our podcast for all stitchers, embroiderers, textile artists and creative souls, where we have friendly informal conversations about what it actually means to be an artist working in textiles. Isobel and Gina are both practicing artists and tut...

Taking yourself on a creative date is one of the best ways to nurture yourself as an artist: we all need to give ourselves time to "refill the well", regain perspective, and open ourselves to new ideas, influences and thoughts. But what makes a good creative date is different for everybody: here's what works for us. Welcome to our podcast for all stitchers, embroiderers, textile artists and creati...

50 episodes, and we're still talking... Welcome to our podcast for all stitchers, embroiderers, textile artists and creative souls, where we have friendly informal conversations about what it actually means to be an artist working in textiles. Isobel and Gina are both practicing artists and tutors specialising in machine embroidery, but we’re still figuring it all out! We chat about combining the...

Our compulsion to create keeps life interesting, but can create its own trouble: so is it a blessing or a curse? Welcome to our podcast for all stitchers, embroiderers, textile artists and creative souls, where we have friendly informal conversations about what it actually means to be an artist working in textiles. Isobel and Gina are both practicing artists and tutors specialising in machine embr...

Many of us dream of turning our creative pursuits into a viable business. But where do you start? And is it even a good idea?  Welcome to our podcast for all stitchers, embroiderers, textile artists and creative souls, where we have friendly informal conversations about what it actually means to be an artist working in textiles. Isobel and Gina are both practicing artists and tutors specialis...

Do you draw? And if not - why not? If you've stopped drawing, or never drawn, or you're scared to start, how can you get started again? And why do we think it's important you should? All questions we hope to answer in this episode! Welcome to our podcast for all stitchers, embroiderers, textile artists and creative souls, where we have friendly informal conversations about what it actually means t...

Since we last spoke the UK has faced massive change with the death of the queen, which has had an effect on many of us in one way or another.  This has made us think about how we cope with change, whether they be nationwide events such as the death of a monarch, a worldwide pandemic or events and changes in our own lives. Welcome to our podcast for all stitchers, embroiderers, textile artists...

We're back from our summer break, but how did it go? Do we feel refreshed and revived and ready for an autumn of art, or do we need another holiday?! Welcome to our podcast for all stitchers, embroiderers, textile artists and creative souls, where we have friendly informal conversations about what it actually means to be an artist working in textiles. Isobel and Gina are both practicing artists an...

When we are creative it can be tricky to follow our own path and not try to emulate those artists we admire or who influence us. We have to learn to trust our own instincts and listen to our own voice rather than all the external voices and opinions that constantly bombard us. Easier said than done? Welcome to our podcast for all stitchers, embroiderers, textile artists and creative souls, where w...

Despite sharing many similarities - in our art, skills, interests, hangups and frustrations, politics, and more besides - four little letters mean we differ in a big way. A couple of months ago Izzy was diagnosed with ADHD, so in this episode we talk about what it means and what happens next.  Welcome to our podcast for all stitchers, embroiderers, textile artists and creative souls, where we...