NeedleXChange

In this episode of NeedleXChange I interview Diane Meyer.Diane Meyer is an embroidery artist whose work obfuscates the present to explore the past. She cross stitches on photographic images of places and people, obscuring parts of them to reveal presentations of the past with precision and perplexity.This is the first part of our NeedleXChange where we find out how Diane makes her work and how her artistic method evolved. Diane is a Professor of photography and our conversation touches on that medium as well. Be sure to check out Diane's work using the links below!Timestamps: 00:00:00 - Introduction00:02:21 - Unpacking the Complexity of Meyer's Work00:08:30 - The Evolution of Meyer's Cross-Stitch Technique00:13:17 - Expanding to the Collective Memory of the Berlin Wall00:22:18 - Teaching Photography and the Basics of the Medium to Jamie, who is clearly ignorant on the topic00:25:24 - The Process of Creating Meyer's Work00:31:19 - Exploring Place and the Vulnerability of VeniceLinks:Website: dianemeyer.netInstagram: dianemeyerstudioIntro music is Purple, Pink and Orange 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/NeedleXChangeIf 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 Diana Weymar.Diana Weymar is an embroidery artist and curator, and founder of the Tiny Pricks project, a collaborative needlework project that immortalises quotes from Donald Trump as a crowdsourced documentary of an unusual part of American history. Diana is the author of Crafting A Better World, a book focusing on collaborative craftivism which is a great addition to your craft library and one of the topics in this second part of our XChange!.Timestamps: 00:00:00 - Introduction00:02:45 - How Inspiration Strikes00:09:17 - Navigating the Challenges of Social Media00:23:45 - Crafting a Better World: How Diana’s Book Came To Be00:35:45 - Lessons Learned From Making Her Book00:39:01 - Craftivism as a Time Capsule: Care and Maintenance in Challenging Times00:45:45 - Favourite Album/Book/Film00:58:05 - An interesting fact that not a lot of people know about Diana WeymarLinks:Website: tinypricksproject.comInstagram: tinypricksprojectIntro music is Her Name Is Edith 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/NeedleXChangeIf 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 Diana Weymar.Diana Weymar is an embroidery artist and curator, and founder of the Tiny Pricks project, a collaborative needlework project that immortalises quotes from Donald Trump as a crowdsourced documentary of an unusual part of American history. Diana is the author of Crafting A Better World, a book focusing on collaborative craftivism which is a great addition to your craft library.In this first part of our NeedleXChange we talk about how the Tiny Pricks project came to be, evolving from a personal project to a collective form of embroidered therapy for many people, and the surprise of it being a project that continues to this day.Timestamps: 00:00:00 - Introduction00:02:10 - The Tiny Pricks Project: From Fun to Momentum00:11:32 - Stitching That Which Resonates00:18:12 - “I Am A Very Stable Genius” - How Tiny Pricks began00:35:56 - Building a Safe and Supportive CommunityLinks:Website: tinypricksproject.comInstagram: tinypricksprojectIntro music is Her Name Is Edith 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/NeedleXChangeIf 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 Dr Susan Kay-Williams.Dr Susan Kay-Williams was the Chief Executive of the Royal School of Needlework from 2007 to 2024 and is a recognised expert on the history of colour and textile art.In this second part of our NeedleXChange we talk about the history of the Royal School of Needlework, and Susan's role within it (something that ends in August 2024). I get her take on the Embroidery as Art debate and we cover a lot of random ground, as I had so many questions that I wanted to ask her. It was a complete pleasure talking with Susan, who has been very supportive of my journey as MrXStitch and I hope that you enjoy the show.Timestamps: 00:00:00 - Introduction00:02:07 - The Story of the Royal School of Needlework00:12:01 - Preserving Embroidery Stitches: The RSN Stitch Bank00:32:17 - Recognising Embroidery as an Art Form00:36:50 - The Resurgence of Embroidery in a Digital Age00:40:29 - The Changing Perception of Crafts Over Time00:48:00 - Susan's Cultural Touchpoints00:56:00 - An interesting fact not many people know about Dr Susan Kay-WilliamsLinks:Website: Royal School of NeedleworkInstagram: royalneedleworkIntro music is This Was Fun by Gavin Luke 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/NeedleXChangeIf 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 Dr Susan Kay-Williams.Dr Susan Kay-Williams was the Chief Executive of the Royal School of Needlework from 2007 to 2024 and is a recognised expert on the history of colour and textile art.In this first part of our NeedleXChange we cover the history of colour in textiles, as well as how tapestries evolved from a utility product to an art statement, and all manner of topics in between. Susan's perspective on the topic is unique and I really enjoyed nerding out about how the textile colours we casually use came to be. It's a great insight into something that we take for granted.Timestamps: 00:00:00 - Introduction00:02:35 - The History of Colour in Textiles00:11:43 - Human Experimentation and the Desire to Understand00:17:58 - The Development of Synthetic Dyes00:28:55 - Tapestries: From Draught Excluders to Art00:38:55 - Metal Threads in Embroidery00:43:54 - The Bayeux Tapestry: Techniques and SignificanceLinks:Website: Royal School of NeedleworkInstagram: royalneedleworkIntro music is This Was Fun by Gavin Luke 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/NeedleXChangeIf 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 Emma McKee.Emma McKee is a Chicago-based cross stitch artist whose work is adored by hip-hop artists and basketball icons.This is the second part of our NeedleXChange and we explore Emma's relationship with Chicago, her love of her Dad, how she has evolved as a designer and we check out her cultural recommendations!If you enjoyed the show, please leave a review on your podcast platform so more people can share the love!Timestamps: 00:00:00 - Introduction00:02:00 - The Barter System and Artistic Integrity00:05:54 - The Trade-Off of Being a Full-Time Artist00:08:19 - Evolution as a Cross-Stitch Designer00:12:28 - Finding Inspiration in Cities00:20:43 - The Qualities of a Great Dad00:28:00 - The Impact of Boredom and Politics00:31:15 - Favourite Albums and Films00:41:03 - Emma's Fascination with North Korea00:44:06 - From Opera Singer to Cross-Stitcher00:46:05 - Creating Large-Scale Cross-Stitch Projects for InteriorsLinks:Website: stitchgawd.comInstagram: thestitchgawdIntro music is Loopty Loops by Pandaraps 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/NeedleXChangeIf 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 Emma McKee.Emma McKee is a Chicago-based cross stitch artist whose work is adored by hip-hop artists and basketball icons.This is the first part of our NeedleXChange and we talk about how Emma came into cross stitch and the circumstances in which her work came to the attention of the hip-hop community. I love chatting with Emma and this conversation flows in all kinds of directions. Tune in next week for the second part of our XChange and if you enjoyed the show, share it with a friend!Timestamps: 00:00:00 - Introduction00:03:00 - Emma's Background00:09:02 - Community Engagement Through Fibre Arts00:12:12 - The Therapeutic Benefits of Stitching00:16:09 - Emma's Unique Stitching Technique00:27:23 - Creating Cross-Stitch Jackets for Chance the Rapper00:29:02 - Opportunities in the Music Industry00:30:36 - Learning and Growing in Real Time00:35:10 - The Impact of Music and Cross-Stitch00:38:42 - Breaking Stereotypes in Cross-Stitch00:42:08 - Navigating Corporate CommissionsLinks:Website: stitchgawd.comInstagram: thestitchgawdIntro music is Loopty Loops by Pandaraps 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/NeedleXChangeIf 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 Marcia Bennett Male.Marcia is a textile artist and stone mason, whose stitched works explore her personal experiences as a black woman living in modern Britain, and focus on black historical figures. Marcia's work uses simplistic form and hidden meaning to address topics that are deeply personal, whether it's her own mental wellbeing or the cultural context of black identity. In this first part of our NeedleXChange we talk about her forthcoming show in Brixton, how Marcia's textile work came to be and how she uses symbolism in her work,If you enjoy the show, please share it with someone else that you think will like it.Timestamps: 00:00:00 - Intro00:03:10 - Marcia's forthcoming show at the Brixton Library in October 202400:05:25 - Exploring Themes of Mental Health and Women's History00:31:33 - Embracing Identity and Finding Peace as an Artist00:35:29 - From Painting to Textile Art00:38:23 - Exploring Identity and Society00:40:30 - Incorporating Heritage00:42:25 - Simplifying and Distorting00:49:01 - The Background and SymbolismLinks:Website: mbennettmale.co.ukInstagram: marciabennettmaletextileIntro music is Search Friendly by Chris Shards 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/NeedleXChangeIf 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