Izzy & Gina in stitches

You asked, we answered! And we'll definitely return to some of the topics raised in future episodes, as there was more to discuss than we had time for. 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...

The creative process can be a rollercoaster of ups and downs: how do we keep the momentum to see a project through to completion?  This is the third episode in our mini-series about the creative process, which started with Feeling Funky (39) and was followed by In The Groove (40). Now it's time for Rock'n'Roll!  Welcome to our podcast for all stitchers, embroiderers, textile artists and...

How do we start a creative session in the studio? What are our "go to" moves to get us into our creative groove? 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...

What do we do when we're in a funk with our art?! Last time we talked about how our art can drop down our list of priorities. By the time we get to our art, we can be tired and grumpy! So how do we break out of our funk, and get ourselves into the studio? Welcome to our podcast for all stitchers, embroiderers, textile artists and creative souls, where we have friendly informal conversations about...

When we teach, often our own art and creativity can take a backseat. Why does this happen and what can we do to change it? 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 Moore and Gina Ferrari are both practicing artists and tutors spec...

To frame or not to frame? That is the question - and not just for textile art! We chat about some of the various ways we've finished and framed our textile work, and as a bonus, you can watch a video version of our chat over on our new YouTube channel https://youtu.be/I5Tlg-oOtdo .  Welcome to our podcast for all stitchers, embroiderers, textile artists and creative souls, where we have frien...

This week we're trying not to overthink things - and talking about what we can do if we find that we are. 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,...

This week, we're thinking about you, our audience, even more than usual! "Who is the audience for my work" is a question every artist grapples with. We both wear lots of different hats, but are we always talking to the same people? And if we want to reach more or new people, how do we do it? Welcome to our podcast for all stitchers, embroiderers, textile artists and creative souls, where we have f...

Do you ever find yourself saying yes when actually you want to say no? Why is it so hard to say no? In this episode we talk why it's hard, and how to (maybe) make it easier. 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 bo...

Ever had the feeling you don't belong, you don't know what you're talking about, and you're not as good as other people say you are? Sounds a bit like imposter syndrome, and something most of us have experienced! Where does it come from? What triggers it? And is there anything we can do about it? Welcome to our podcast for all stitchers, embroiderers, textile artists and creative souls, where we h...

We've both stitched on some funny things in our time - and while we don't necessarily recommend that you give these a go, we thought you might be interested in exactly what we've stitched and how - and perhaps more importantly, what we stitch now and why! Welcome to our podcast for all stitchers, embroiderers, textile artists and creative souls, where we have friendly informal conversations about...

We're creative people, and we use a lot of stuff. But what do we do when we have too much? Is it time to declutter? And how do we go about it? 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 tutor...

Do you call yourself an artist? Or does that make you uncomfortable? We've both had mixed feelings in the past, so do we call ourselves artists now?! 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...

In this final episode of the year, we look back at our goals and plans for 2021, and chat about whether we achieved them - or not! And if we didn't, do we know why? And do we like having plans anyway? Or do we prefer to set a rough intention for the year, and stay flexible?  We also talk a little about what 2022 might look like, what's actually important to us, and how we're going to attempt...

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 creative process with running a business...

Yes, it's that time of year! We think about what we might like to receive this Christmas - from the obvious and perhaps indulgent to the seemingly mundane things that would actually make our day.  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...

Our 26th episode and a year since we started this podcast! We chat about friendship, our personalities, what we've learned, and our plans for the future.  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...

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 creative process with running a business...

Marketing is a key part of any business - including being an artist - but thinking about "marketing" can seem very dry and dull, and make you want to run for the hills. Maybe there's a different way to look at it?  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 arti...

Do we have skills from other areas of life that help us in our art? That's what we're pondering this week, after spending a day learning an ancient skill that we may never use again. Or will we? Perhaps there is more value to learning new skills than just what you create on the day?   Welcome to our podcast for all stitchers, embroiderers, textile artists and creative souls, where we have fri...

In this episode Gina chats to Viv Arthur of Art Van Go, about how she came to be running such a successful and unique creative business.  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 creative process with running a business and hope that you will find inspiration and support for your...

In this episode, we discuss whether art needs to be deep and meaningful, whether it can just be for fun - or perhaps creating for fun is in fact creating meaningful art! 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. Izzy and Gina are both pra...

In this episode Izzy chats to textile artist, tutor and author, Kim Thittichai about her inspirations, and what prompted her to move from the south coast of England to the west coast of Ireland and pastures new.  Izzy 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 creative process with runnin...

This week we're talking about inspiration: what it is, what it isn't, and what to do with it when we've got it! Izzy 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 creative process with running a business and hope that you will find inspiration and support for your own creative journeys. Mentioned...

Sketchbooks - an essential part of the creative process? In this episode we discuss the sketchbooks we use, whether that's one or many, and how we use them. We also discuss the size and format we prefer to use: large, small, spiral or casebound? And of course the drawings and sketches themselves: how crucial are they to the creative process? Welcome to a new podcast for all stitchers, embroiderers...