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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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37:30
Stephanie Kelly Clark - Life Is Art Part 2 [NX087]
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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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46:56
Stephanie Kelly Clark - Life Is Art [NX086]
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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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30:39
Neil Twist - An Ad Hoc Conversation Part 2 [NX085]
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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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36:11
Neil Twist - An Ad Hoc Conversation [NX084]
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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jamie "Mr X Stitch" Chalmers interviews needlework and textile artists to find out how they make their art, how they build their business and why they love working with a needle and thread. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
México