NeedleXChange

In this episode of NeedleXChange I interview Bren Ahearn.Bren Ahearn is a needlework artist using traditional samplers to unpack masculinity, memory and social conditioning. In this first part of our conversation. we discuss the concept of magnified moments, early experiences of gender policing, and how these formative events shape identity and artistic voice. Bren also shares how his shift from weaving to embroidery became a way to challenge the gendered expectations of craft itself.If you enjoyed our episodes with John Thomas Paradiso - 11 and 12 - where we talked about his queer thread connections, you’ll love this chat with one of the nicest needleworkers you could hope to meet.Timestamps: 00:00:12 - Intro00:01:40 – Magnified Moments: The Weight of Childhood Choices00:07:51 – Embroidery: A Gendered Art Form00:10:43 – The Evolution of Samplers: From Tradition to Commentary00:16:37 – The Creative Process: Balancing Art and Marketing00:19:39 – Contemporary Samplers: Addressing Modern Issues00:22:49 – The Future of Needlework: Blending Tradition with Innovation00:30:37 – Exploring Artistic Expression and ActivismLinks:Website: brenahearn.comInstagram: brenahearnIntro music is Hipsters are Okay by Daniel Fridell via Epidemic Sound.About NeedleXChange:NeedleXChange is a conversation podcast with embroidery and textile artists, exploring their process and practice.Hosted by Jamie "Mr X Stitch" Chalmers, it is an in-depth showcase of the best needlework artists on the planet.Visit the NeedleXChange website: https://www.needl.exchange/Sign up for the NeedleXChange Newsletter here: https://bit.ly/NeedleXChangeNewsIf you want embroidery inspiration and regular doses of textile art, visit the Mr X Stitch site here: https://www.mrxstitch.comIf you're looking for modern cross stitch designs, then XStitch is the magazine you need!Subscribe to XStitch Magazine here: https://xstitchmag.com/modern-cross-stitch-magazine/And follow Mr X Stitch on all the usual social media channels!Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MrXStitchTwitter: https://www.twitter.com/MrXStitchInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/MrXStitchPinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/mrxstitch/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrjamiechalmers

In this episode of NeedleXChange I interview Owen Kelly.Owen is a fifth-generation embroiderer whose vivid, hand-stitched works blend folk art, cultural symbolism, and personal narrative — all anchored by a lifelong love of textiles and storytelling. In this first part of our conversation, Owen shares his early love of stitching, memories stitched into denim, and how his family history shaped his lifelong relationship with embroidery. It's a journey through punk rock, biker jackets, and the moving legacy of his 'memory skirt'.Timestamps: 00:00:00 - Intro00:01:25 – The Joy of Creating: Quilts and Feedback00:04:16 – Maximalism in Art: Embracing Complexity00:09:53 – The Grand Poobah: A Stitching Ambassador00:16:32 – Introducing Seamus O'Commonsey: The Traveling Puppet00:22:34 – Cultural Connections Through Creativity00:28:33 – The Role of Music in Life00:44:10 – Navigating the Music Industry00:46:58 – The Influence of Music on Art00:51:04 – Literary Inspirations and Favourites00:54:50 – Cinematic Memories and Influences00:59:20 – The Hidden Talent of Table Tennis CoachingLinks:Instagram: slavetothestitchIntro music is Silly Simon by TAGE via Epidemic Sound.About NeedleXChange:NeedleXChange is a conversation podcast with embroidery and textile artists, exploring their process and practice.Hosted by Jamie "Mr X Stitch" Chalmers, it is an in-depth showcase of the best needlework artists on the planet.Visit the NeedleXChange website: https://www.needl.exchange/Sign up for the NeedleXChange Newsletter here: https://bit.ly/NeedleXChangeNewsIf you want embroidery inspiration and regular doses of textile art, visit the Mr X Stitch site here: https://www.mrxstitch.comIf you're looking for modern cross stitch designs, then XStitch is the magazine you need!Subscribe to XStitch Magazine here: https://xstitchmag.com/modern-cross-stitch-magazine/And follow Mr X Stitch on all the usual social media channels!Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MrXStitchTwitter: https://www.twitter.com/MrXStitchInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/MrXStitchPinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/mrxstitch/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrjamiechalmers

In this episode of NeedleXChange I interview Owen Kelly.Owen is a fifth-generation embroiderer whose vivid, hand-stitched works blend folk art, cultural symbolism, and personal narrative — all anchored by a lifelong love of textiles and storytelling. In this first part of our conversation, Owen shares his early love of stitching, memories stitched into denim, and how his family history shaped his lifelong relationship with embroidery. It's a journey through punk rock, biker jackets, and the moving legacy of his 'memory skirt'.Timestamps: 00:00:00 - Intro00:03:30 – Growing up stitching: why his creative world never felt tedious00:06:55 – Flow stitching and creative improvisation00:09:00 – Custom denim jackets and symbolic commissions00:13:40 – Craft vs. art: perspectives from punk to Persia00:16:55 – Denim as a material and a personal statement00:21:10 – The origin of Owen’s “memory skirt” and stitched life events00:30:10 – Reflections on masculinity, textiles, and reclaiming spaceLinks:Instagram: slavetothestitchIntro music is Silly Simon by TAGE via Epidemic Sound.About NeedleXChange:NeedleXChange is a conversation podcast with embroidery and textile artists, exploring their process and practice.Hosted by Jamie "Mr X Stitch" Chalmers, it is an in-depth showcase of the best needlework artists on the planet.Visit the NeedleXChange website: https://www.needl.exchange/Sign up for the NeedleXChange Newsletter here: https://bit.ly/NeedleXChangeNewsIf you want embroidery inspiration and regular doses of textile art, visit the Mr X Stitch site here: https://www.mrxstitch.comIf you're looking for modern cross stitch designs, then XStitch is the magazine you need!Subscribe to XStitch Magazine here: https://xstitchmag.com/modern-cross-stitch-magazine/And follow Mr X Stitch on all the usual social media channels!Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MrXStitchTwitter: https://www.twitter.com/MrXStitchInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/MrXStitchPinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/mrxstitch/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrjamiechalmers

In this episode of NeedleXChange I interview Stephanie Kelly Clark.Stephanie is a contemporary embroidery artist whose work transforms humble homes and everyday moments into rich visual stories stitched with painterly precision. In this first part of our conversation, we explore her creative upbringing, the role of art in parenting, and her evolving relationship with embroidery as a medium. From homemade Halloween costumes to thread-based storytelling, Stephanie shares how her domestic life and artistic journey are deeply intertwined.Timestamps: 00:00:00 - Intro00:08:30 – Exploring Storytelling Through Art00:11:45 – The Journey into 3D Embroidery00:15:43 – Nature as Inspiration: The Life Cycle in Art00:20:02 – The Intersection of Art and Music00:26:31 – Nostalgia and Personal Connections in Film00:31:06 – Comedy: A Reflection of Life and Art00:35:51 – The Challenge of Reading and Learning00:37:49 – Unexpected Talents and Personal StoriesLinks:Website: stephaniekclarkInstagram: artiststephaniekellyclarkIntro music is Sunset by OTE via Epidemic Sound.About NeedleXChange:NeedleXChange is a conversation podcast with embroidery and textile artists, exploring their process and practice.Hosted by Jamie "Mr X Stitch" Chalmers, it is an in-depth showcase of the best needlework artists on the planet.Visit the NeedleXChange website: https://www.needl.exchange/Sign up for the NeedleXChange Newsletter here: https://bit.ly/NeedleXChangeNewsIf you want embroidery inspiration and regular doses of textile art, visit the Mr X Stitch site here: https://www.mrxstitch.comIf you're looking for modern cross stitch designs, then XStitch is the magazine you need!Subscribe to XStitch Magazine here: https://xstitchmag.com/modern-cross-stitch-magazine/And follow Mr X Stitch on all the usual social media channels!Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MrXStitchTwitter: https://www.twitter.com/MrXStitchInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/MrXStitchPinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/mrxstitch/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrjamiechalmers

In this episode of NeedleXChange I interview Stephanie Kelly Clark.Stephanie is a contemporary embroidery artist whose work transforms humble homes and everyday moments into rich visual stories stitched with painterly precision. In this first part of our conversation, we explore her creative upbringing, the role of art in parenting, and her evolving relationship with embroidery as a medium. From homemade Halloween costumes to thread-based storytelling, Stephanie shares how her domestic life and artistic journey are deeply intertwined.Timestamps: 00:00:00 - Intro00:01:29 – Life as Art: Parenting and Creativity00:10:25 – Artistic Process: From Painting to Embroidery00:13:34 – The Evolution of an Artist: Finding One's Voice00:16:18 – Contemporary Art vs. Craft: Defining the Medium00:19:27 – Conceptualising Art: The Role of Medium in Storytelling00:22:39 – The Journey of an Artist: Embracing Change and Growth00:25:42 – Creating with Intention: The Importance of CompositionLinks:Website: stephaniekclarkInstagram: artiststephaniekellyclarkIntro music is Sunset by OTE via Epidemic Sound.About NeedleXChange:NeedleXChange is a conversation podcast with embroidery and textile artists, exploring their process and practice.Hosted by Jamie "Mr X Stitch" Chalmers, it is an in-depth showcase of the best needlework artists on the planet.Visit the NeedleXChange website: https://www.needl.exchange/Sign up for the NeedleXChange Newsletter here: https://bit.ly/NeedleXChangeNewsIf you want embroidery inspiration and regular doses of textile art, visit the Mr X Stitch site here: https://www.mrxstitch.comIf you're looking for modern cross stitch designs, then XStitch is the magazine you need!Subscribe to XStitch Magazine here: https://xstitchmag.com/modern-cross-stitch-magazine/And follow Mr X Stitch on all the usual social media channels!Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MrXStitchTwitter: https://www.twitter.com/MrXStitchInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/MrXStitchPinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/mrxstitch/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrjamiechalmers

Welcome back to part two of my conversation with Neil Twist. In this half, we go deeper into Neil’s research on historic Australian samplers and the stories they hold – from 18th-century orphanages to the hidden histories of everyday stitching.We talk about the moral messages embedded in needlework, the lack of textiles in traditional art history education, and how Neil’s thesis is starting to evolve as he uncovers more. There’s also a good bit of chat about samplers as meditative practice, tech as a liberating force, and how cross-stitch can still feel like a bit of a revolution.If you enjoyed the episode with Isabella Rosner, there’s a lot of crossover here – especially if you’re into the history and context of textile work.This wasn't planned as a NeedleXChange but it was such a good chat Neil allowed me to share it!Timestamps: 00:00:00 - Intro00:01:50 - Exploring Pixelated Memories00:04:54 - The Intersection of Art and Memory00:06:39 - Mindful Stitching and Mental Health00:09:31 - Breaking Stereotypes in Needlework00:13:07 - The Challenges of the Needlework Ecosystem00:15:47 - The Role of Technology in Needlework00:19:39 - Personal Growth and Community Impact00:24:39 - Reflections on Change and ProgressIntro music is Zulu by Lucas Pittman via Epidemic Sound.About NeedleXChange:NeedleXChange is a conversation podcast with embroidery and textile artists, exploring their process and practice.Hosted by Jamie "Mr X Stitch" Chalmers, it is an in-depth showcase of the best needlework artists on the planet.Visit the NeedleXChange website: https://www.needl.exchange/Sign up for the NeedleXChange Newsletter here: https://bit.ly/NeedleXChangeNewsIf you want embroidery inspiration and regular doses of textile art, visit the Mr X Stitch site here: https://www.mrxstitch.comIf you're looking for modern cross stitch designs, then XStitch is the magazine you need!Subscribe to XStitch Magazine here: https://xstitchmag.com/modern-cross-stitch-magazine/And follow Mr X Stitch on all the usual social media channels!Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MrXStitchTwitter: https://www.twitter.com/MrXStitchInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/MrXStitchPinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/mrxstitch/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrjamiechalmers

In this episode of NeedleXChange I interview Neil Twist, an academic and self-confessed beginner stitcher based in Melbourne. Neil’s just a year into his embroidery journey, but already he’s exploring big questions about masculinity, perception, and what it means to stitch as a man. We talk about the courage it takes to embroider in public, the reactions you get – both expected and surprising – and how those quiet moments with needle and thread can spark real social reflection. Neil’s experience as a gay man brings a rich and thoughtful perspective to the conversation, especially as we compare how our respective identities shape our paths in textile art.This wasn't planned as a NeedleXChange but it was such a good chat Neil allowed me to share it!Timestamps: 00:00:00 - Intro00:01:30 - Courage in Needlework: A Gender Perspective00:04:32 - Public Perception and Personal Anecdotes00:07:36 - Exploring the Embroiderers Guild Experience00:10:29 - Cultural Connections Through Needlework00:13:42 - The Historical Context of Needlework in Australia00:16:32 - The Role of Samplers in Education and Morality00:19:35 - The Evolution of Needlework Practices00:22:39 - Cross-Stitch: A Gateway Craft and Its PotentialIntro music is Zulu by Lucas Pittman via Epidemic Sound.About NeedleXChange:NeedleXChange is a conversation podcast with embroidery and textile artists, exploring their process and practice.Hosted by Jamie "Mr X Stitch" Chalmers, it is an in-depth showcase of the best needlework artists on the planet.Visit the NeedleXChange website: https://www.needl.exchange/Sign up for the NeedleXChange Newsletter here: https://bit.ly/NeedleXChangeNewsIf you want embroidery inspiration and regular doses of textile art, visit the Mr X Stitch site here: https://www.mrxstitch.comIf you're looking for modern cross stitch designs, then XStitch is the magazine you need!Subscribe to XStitch Magazine here: https://xstitchmag.com/modern-cross-stitch-magazine/And follow Mr X Stitch on all the usual social media channels!Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MrXStitchTwitter: https://www.twitter.com/MrXStitchInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/MrXStitchPinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/mrxstitch/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrjamiechalmers

In this episode of NeedleXChange I interview Sarah Corbett.Sarah Corbett is founder of the Craftivist Collective and an advocate for change via gentle activism.This is a recording of a half-hour interview that I did with Sarah at the Stitch Festival in London on Saturday 22nd March 2025. We talk about craftivism, how Sarah become an advocate for change making and explore how to make a change that has an impact in your world.Links:Website: craftivist-collective.comInstagram: sarahpcorbettIntro music is Let's Go Find the SUN by Sarah, the Illstrumentalist via Epidemic Sound.About NeedleXChange:NeedleXChange is a conversation podcast with embroidery and textile artists, exploring their process and practice.Hosted by Jamie "Mr X Stitch" Chalmers, it is an in-depth showcase of the best needlework artists on the planet.Visit the NeedleXChange website: https://www.needl.exchange/Sign up for the NeedleXChange Newsletter here: https://bit.ly/NeedleXChangeNewsIf you want embroidery inspiration and regular doses of textile art, visit the Mr X Stitch site here: https://www.mrxstitch.comIf you're looking for modern cross stitch designs, then XStitch is the magazine you need!Subscribe to XStitch Magazine here: https://xstitchmag.com/modern-cross-stitch-magazine/And follow Mr X Stitch on all the usual social media channels!Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MrXStitchTwitter: https://www.twitter.com/MrXStitchInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/MrXStitchPinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/mrxstitch/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrjamiechalmers

In this episode of NeedleXChange I interview CARO.CARO is a multidisciplinary artist who intertwines metalwork and embroidery to explore themes of time, devotion, and material storytelling.This is the second half of my conversation with CARO and we move beyond materials and making to dive into the philosophical and social layers of Caro’s work. We discuss the history of textiles in capitalism (!), the emotional weight of long-term projects, and the balance between artistic ambition and creative sustainability. We also find out about CARO's musical tastes among other cultural highlights.For another great multi-disciplinary conversation check out episodes 49 and 50 with Marcia Bennett-Male.Timestamps: 00:00:00 - Introduction00:01:20 - Feminism and Gender Discourse in Art00:06:55 - Embroidery as a Medium of Storytelling00:17:35 - Creative Inspirations and Personal Stories00:20:58 - The Power of Music in Art00:25:25 - Podcasts and Audiobooks: A Creative Companion00:28:18 - Cinematic Influences and Favourite Films00:31:11 - Overcoming Challenges: Personal Struggles and Resilience00:34:38 - Passion for Women's Football and Community EngagementLinks:Instagram: caro__caro__caro__Intro music is 222 by Sarah, the Illstrumentalist via Epidemic Sound.About NeedleXChange:NeedleXChange is a conversation podcast with embroidery and textile artists, exploring their process and practice.Hosted by Jamie "Mr X Stitch" Chalmers, it is an in-depth showcase of the best needlework artists on the planet.Visit the NeedleXChange website: https://www.needl.exchange/Sign up for the NeedleXChange Newsletter here: https://bit.ly/NeedleXChangeNewsIf you want embroidery inspiration and regular doses of textile art, visit the Mr X Stitch site here: https://www.mrxstitch.comAnd follow Mr X Stitch on all the usual social media channels!Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MrXStitchTwitter: https://www.twitter.com/MrXStitchInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/MrXStitchPinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/mrxstitch/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrjamiechalmers