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 act…

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 …

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 cre…

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 …

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…

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 te…

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 …

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 actual…

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 specialisi…

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 …

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…

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 Gin…

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 worki…

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 fri…

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 mac…

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. I…

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 s…

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…

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 practici…

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 …

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 inf…

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 …

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 textil…

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, embroid…

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, …

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 text…

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 stitche…

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 practici…

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, wh…

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 F…

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 arti…

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 arti…

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, t…

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 …

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, embroidere…

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, wh…

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. Iso…

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 textil…

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 impo…

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 comb…

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 ac…

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 te…

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 comb…

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 conversation…

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 ar…

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 yo…

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 arti…

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 abou…

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…

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? Welcom…