I began to cross stitch animals saying philosophical things, then got a little more earnest and moved onto animal rights themed cross stitches, before going Full Pun and embroidering angry aubergines. I've plans for some more feminist based embroideries and cross stitches, as we all know the best way to fight the patriarchy is by spending hours on a sampler, just like in the good old days. But rea
lly - I do like the idea of using a past time traditionally prescribed to women who didn't have much else to do, or any choice otherwise, to create empowering and funny feminist messages. I'm also really excited by creating artworks for other people - finding a funny quote to illustrate the emotional depth of someone's beloved tortoise, for example, or giving a veggie-mad friend a one-of-a-kind housewarming present. I run the shop from the spare bedroom in the flat I share with my boyfriend and cat. I'd like to say each and every artwork is made with love, but it's more likely they're made with Grey's Anatomy repeats, coffee and the overcoming of enormous self-doubt.
