Pixiecraft – inspiration stitched in thread

I have loved making for as long as I can remember. It’s a huge part of who I am and I can’t go for long without making something. Making is my soul food.

Katy Fenner from Pixiecraft admits she can’t go for long without making something, and can often be found buried under piles of fabric, embroidery needle in one hand, slice of cake in the other. Being creative makes her happy, and her work – ranging from inspirational quotes stitched in thread to necklaces featuring her own hand-embroidered illustrations of British wildlife – is designed to make other people happy too. We caught up with Katy to find out more about Pixiecraft…

Can you introduce yourself and describe what you do?
Hello, my name is Katy, I’m 24 and I work from my home in Manchester. I run Pixiecraft and spend every free moment of my life creating intricate pieces of hand embroidery. I am also a mother to Little Pixie with another little one on the way, a self-confessed crazy cat lady and a childminder. I design all of my own work and can often be found working long into the night buried under piles of fabric and thread with a healthy supply of cake on hand of course.

I run Pixiecraft and spend every free moment of my life creating intricate pieces of hand embroidery. I’m also a mother to Little Pixie with another little one on the way, a self-confessed crazy cat lady and a childminder

Have you always been creative? 
I have loved making for as long as I can remember. It’s a huge part of who I am and I can’t go for long without making something, whether it’s a detailed piece of embroidery that takes a number of days to complete or crafting with the children. Making is my soul food! The actual process of making comes much more naturally to me than the process of designing, and I find it very easy to learn new skills and apply them, so I enjoy this part more than I enjoy having to design products.

How did you learn to embroider and stitch?
In 2010 I started my degree in Childhood Studies. It was the first time in years that I wasn’t spending a large proportion of my time making, so I decided I would teach myself to sew, with the aim that I would make all the decorations, favours and gifts for my wedding the next year. I started a blog to follow my progress and keep me motivated. I quickly realised that machine stitching was not for me – everything was too precise and I felt like it lacked freedom. A friend bought me a Doodle Stitching book on Hand Embroidery by Aimee Ray, and after just a couple of weeks I was hooked and wanting to learn more. I taught myself to embroider and started designing my own patterns, so everything would be completely unique. Five years on and embroidery has taken over my home and life.

I love studying British wildlife and living close the centre of a large city I don’t always get to see much of it, so I use stitching as my chance to express just how beautiful our native creatures are.

How did you go from teaching  yourself to embroider to setting up Pixiecraft?
My little craft blog started to become really popular, and I was repeatedly getting requests from people asking me to sell what I was making so I thought I’d give it a try. I was certain from the beginning I wanted to do everything properly. I got myself registered as a business with HMRC, opened my first shop on Folksy and started a Facebook page. Looking back, my work was all very unconnected and random as I was still trying to discover my own style. After three years I’m more than happy with what I’ve created so far, but I’m always changing and learning, and I’m excited to see where we will be in another three years.

I design all of my own work and can often be found working long into the night buried under piles of fabric and thread with a healthy supply of cake on hand of course.

Where do your ideas come from?
I love studying British wildlife and living close the centre of a large city I don’t always get to see much of it, so I use stitching as my chance to express just how beautiful our native creatures are. I also create quite a lot of work based on positive, inspiring quotes. When I first started doing these pieces I was taken aback by the response people had to them, and I realised that people are always looking for that little bit of ‘happy thinking’ to keep them going, remind them how strong they are, how wonderful the world can be, and what is really important in what is often a harsh and critical world. Ever since I started creating these pieces I’ve been overwhelmed by the scale of the response they get, so they are definitely the most addictive designs to create.

Each piece starts with a sketch. Once I’m happy with the design I turn it into a simple line drawing and transfer that on to the fabric.

Can you talk us through your making process? How do you start a piece?
Every piece starts with a sketch. Once I’m happy with the design I turn it into a simple line drawing and if I’m working on cotton I then transfer that on to the fabric. With other materials such as felt, I take a much more freestyle approach. Once I have my design on fabric, I begin building up textures and colours using embroidery threads. Every piece is different, even with the same design used repeatedly, as it all depends on the exact stitches that I make. That’s part of what I love about hand embroidery.

Every piece is different, even with the same design used repeatedly, as it all depends on the exact stitches that I make. That’s part of what I love about hand embroidery.

Are there any other crafts or techniques you would like to learn?

I would love to learn to crochet. I’ve tried repeatedly with no success as I lack patience. (I know that must sound quite strange coming from someone who sews at least six hours a day!) I’m better at techniques that allow me complete freedom to do what I want with them and don’t involve counting. I would also love to have a go at paper cutting – I dabbled a little in it a few years ago but it would be nice to try again.

My workspace is my back bedroom. It’s a busy, colourful space, with several hidden stashes of motivational snacks. Cake is essential for productive stitching.

Can you describe your workspace?
My workspace is my back bedroom. It’s a busy, colourful space, which somehow manages to hold my entire craft hoard (thread, thread and some more thread, as well as all of my stock and packaging). There are also several hidden stashes of motivational snacks. Cake is essential for productive stitching.

What does the rest of your house look like?

The rest of my house looks somewhat like a nursery as I’m also a part-time childminder, so there are wall-to-wall toys, children’s paintings and books. Having a young family means it’s never quite as tidy and clean as I would like, but it’s very colourful and happy, making it a lovely place to be. Plus there is always a constant reminder of making, thanks to the endless scraps of fabric and thread that seem to find their way into every corner of the house.

Every time I get a message back from one of my customers it makes my heart so happy to know that my work is sitting in houses all over the world, spreading that joy a little bit further

What’s the best thing about making for a living?
The responses from customers are by far the best part. I’ve had the honour of creating some beautiful personal pieces and every time I get a message back from one of my customers it makes my heart so happy to know that my work is sitting in houses all over the world, spreading that joy a little bit further. I also love how flexible it is – anyone with a young family can appreciate the difficulties in balancing work and family life, so I feel very blessed that I’m able to do what I love and be around to spend as much time as possible with Little Pixie while she is small.

What would I say to someone thinking about selling their work? Love what you do and find what makes your work unique

What would you say to someone thinking about selling their work?
Love what you do and find what makes your work unique. It’s such a competitive market out there, so you need to do everything you can to stand out and be seen. People buy from people they like, so you need to show your potential customers how passionate you are about what you’re creating while still seeming relatable and likeable. Don’t underestimate the power of social media – many makers are hesitant to use it, but there is so much to be gained, it really is worth it. Interact as much as possible with your customers and learn from them, but don’t let yourself get lost in creating pieces that sell well but don’t excite you.

There are so many incredible makers out there right now, it’s an exciting time to be in craft.

How does it feel to be part of the craft scene today?
Brilliant! There are so many incredible makers out there right now, it’s an exciting time to be in craft. I’ve been lucky enough to meet some wonderfully talented people through social media and through The Manchester Craft Mafia. I was asked to join MCM almost a year ago as their membership co-ordinator, and it’s allowed me to branch out in new and exciting ways, including getting a piece of my work into The Manchester Museum earlier in the year and selling at the Christmas Market at The Whitworth this December.

Craft means skill and technique, and putting those to use to create something original and beautiful

How would you spend your perfect day?
Tucked up on the sofa watching Disney films with Little Pixie, with cake on hand and a pile full of embroidery hoops being stitched. It’s the little things that make the day perfect!

And finally, what does craft mean to you?
Craft to me means skill and technique, and putting those to use to create something original and beautiful.

Visit Pixiecraft on Folksy

To celebrate being a featured maker Katy is offering 15% off all Pixiecraft products with the code HAPPYTHOUGHTS
Valid until 23rd November 2015