Hello~

My name is Belinda Marshall and I'm a Melbourne artist and designer. I'm really excited to be sharing my newest project with you!

I’ve created some abstract embroidery kits based on my painting style, which are like ‘painting by numbers’ only using needle and thread rather than paint.  

They look quite complicated but they’re actually suitable for beginners.

FROM PAINTING TO STITCHING

As an abstract artist, painting is my main creative passion. 

As a mother I find myself with bursts of creative energy at times when I can't get to the studio to paint. I’m fairly crafty and love to make so I usually have a craft project or two on the go.

I find, even on days that are studio days, that getting up a little earlier than the kids to sit with a coffee and a quiet project makes for a better day ~ and a happier me!

Lately, this quiet project has been embroidery. For me it’s kind of like painting with thread. 

The process of designing embroidery work has been similar to the creative process involved with making a painting ~  I approach both without any imagined outcome or plan and they both evolve in an organic way. Free mark-making and stitching, followed by sitting and looking, until it feels just right.

The embroidery design process has been mediative, calming and rewarding! Kind of like colouring or doodling only the end result is a finished piece of art for the wall!

HOW THE KITS CAME TO BE

The idea of creating kits so that I could share the joy of creating and working in an abstract way was born through my desire to refresh my Adobe Illustrator skills! I created the patterns by digitally drawing/traccing the stitches in the original embroidery works.

Also, my experience with teaching abstract painting workshops has shown me that people love to understand the process of working in an abstract way so as to explore their own creativity. I thought by offering embroidery kits based on my own abstract work, I could share an unspoken experience of sinking into the abstract art process with others. 

WHAT WILL BE IN THE KIT

The kits will include a digitally printed pattern on Belgian cotton/linen {printed locally}, all the necessary threads in the best colours!, a bamboo embroidery hoop, a needle and instructions.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

By pre-ordering a kit for yourself or a crafty friend you can help to get the new project off the ground. 

Every pledge will contribute to the required orders of materials {and packaging} for the kits. 

Also, by choosing a design you are helping me to understand which designs will be more popular and how to cater for this now and down the track.

If you’d love to be part of an intimate stitching community and stitch up a kit in good company with yummy food and excellent wine, you can pledge yourself a spot in a ‘studio stitching session’.

See more of my work on my website:

https://belindamarshall.com/

Follow along on social media:

www.instagram.com/belindajmarshall

https://www.instagram.com/belindamarshallembroideryworks/

https://www.facebook.com/BelindaMarshallEmbroideryWorks/

https://www.facebook.com/belindamarshallstudio/

Big thank you to Kirsten Bresciani for the photos of the embroidery works.

Portrait photo by Fleck Photography.

The funds will be used to order supplies of the materials that go into the kits as well as cover the professional printing of packaging and marketing materials to support the kits. 

$1200 will cover bulk orders of threads, embroidery hoops, needles, and digital printing of fabric patterns. 

$400 will cover packaging + marketing materials ~ includes professionally printed labels, instructions, postcards and business cards.

$200 will cover food and wine for the stitching sessions.

$195 will cover pozible and paypal fees.

Any funds that go over the target amount will be used to create and test new designs.

The challenges with creating this new product is being able to buy the materials wholesale so that the kits can be sold at an affordable price. Buying wholesale involves meeting terms of minimum orders and this applies for each of the materials, each of which come from a different supplier.

Another challenge is guessing which designs will be more successful. Ordering quantities for each design based on guess work rather than customer feedback poses a financial risk.