Friday, March 9, 2012

In the begining... and starting a fresh...

After 11 years as a designer, and latterly design manager for a leading UK based needlecraft kit manufacturer, Coats Craft UK, I now work freelance.

Under the Anchor brand name, I produced needlecraft kits covering a wide variety of techniques including, cross stitch, embroidery, applique, tapestry, and many three dimensional crafts. I also had the opportunity to create many items for editorial features with a variety of magazines including The World of Cross Stitching, 'Stitch' with the Embroiderers Guild, and Classic Stitches. Whilst in the role of Design Manager, I worked on a selection of external projects with The Embroiderers Guild, putting together 3 kits for them as a special project; Ehrman Tapestry, I co-ordinated the manufacturing process from initial design through to the completed kit; and Marks and Spencer, I designed a tapestry cushion to match a range of stationary which was made into a kit.

As LucyKate Crafts, I am continuing to add to my portfolio with some book work, and branching out into other techniques including feltmaking, papercrafts, more stumpwork and doll making.

Whilst with Coats, the majority of time was spent designing counted cross stitch kits using a wide variety of imagery such as animals, birds, countryside scenes and also some licensed products including brands such as Humphrey's Corner, Forever Friends and Newton's Law. Here are some of my favourites and most successfull.

Owl and Woodland Wildlife, in response to the use of sepia toned work in illustration, greetings cards and books at the time, I decided to see if this could be translated into cross stitch. This design was extreamly successful as a kit, became one of the first designs to be launched in the Anchor Premier Range, and still features in the current catalogue today.




Border Collie Sampler, also using sepia tonal work.




Countryside, you will be able to see clearer on this image how the sketchlike effect has been achieved using backstitch.




Some quirky bathroom mini kits on green aida.






One of a set of figures coupled with intricate borders and backgrounds.




Two examples of licensed products, here is Newton from Newton's Law, a range of greetings cards and gifts.





Something for the less experienced stitcher!.

Cross stitch used for more crafty items, a range of needlecases, pin cushions, scissor keeps and bookmarks.





CROSS STITCH MAGAZINE EDITORIALS


CROSS STITCH GOLD issue 30


CROSS STITCH COLLECTION issue 119


CROSS STITCH COLLECTION issue 127


0 comments:

Post a Comment