Obrazek23

INSPIRING PEOPLE

Jacqui specialises in nostalgie designs with a funky and colourful edge

The day-to-day reality ofjuggling a business from home, squeezing a day’s work into school hours before mixing creative work with tea and kids’ bedtimes sounds hectic, and not something every Family could happily cope with.

“Most ‘mum-trepreneurs’ will say that one of the reasons to start their business was to be moro at home for the children - only to find that success constantly means they are struggling to Fmd a balancesays Jacqui. She s found a way of making Pearl and Earl and Granny Knits a family affair. Husband Gareth works on trade and web sales, mum Eileen does fmance, whilejacqui looks after the creative direction. On top of that, two morę full-time employees havc just joined, with two part-timers tasked with twisting yarns and packing kits. Even five-year-old Libby is useful. “She has a folder of designs which

I interpret into some of my finished work. Forexamplc the recentbunny pillow case project on our blog was ‘art directed’ by Libby for hor frienefs birthday,” says Jacqui. “It helps that the two businesses arc run alongside each other. Happily cveryone in the family loves making things. Our home studio includes desks for everyone, although it can be a tight squeeze sometimes.”

The strong retro influence on the websites of both Jacqui s businesses is striking. This is a celebration of stitching heritage, not a pastichc of a bygone era (a trap which all too many cross stitch designs have fallen into). Designs rangę from funky 1960s hippy chic pompom trims to 1950s Doris Day-inspired frou-frou aprons.

While trend tracking training has ensured that this of-the-moment look is very much part ofJacqui’s style, her lovc of nostalgia is obviously deep-rooted. “Thirteen years of trend tracking is not casily forgotten,” saysjacqui. "I still fol Iow the latest trends by shopping at vintage Stores, art galleries, antique fairs, and car boot sales. I bumped into both Kirstie Allsop and Cath Kidston at the last antique fair I went to. These ‘personalities’ are bringing crafting back into the fore of popular culture, and are helping to make it a trendy choice again.

"Add to the mix the Online mediums like Etsy and Folksy which give smali, talented designers a voice, plus bloggcrs like Mr X Stitch, and you have a plethora of handerafted looks which are bcing used in fashion and interiors.”

Granny Knits, as the name suggests, was inspired by an older generation.

“It was my Grandina Dora,” says Jacqui. “She was part of the ‘Make Do And Mend’ generation. I inherited her mad

DESIGNER THINKING

Jacgui explains how she designs for cross stitch...

I START with a elear idea of the end resutt - the finał look and finished use. On my LOVE cushion design (see page 26), for example, I worked with the magazine's creative team on the brief, then I gave It my own sense of style and design.

THEN I create slmple hand illustrations to give me an idea of lines and the overalł look of the design. I might also sketch 'mini' details, like the LOVE cushion cherries, which I knew I wanted in there somewhere. Colour is next. I put all my favourites on a card punched with holes to see what works together.

FROM THERE I move to the Computer.

I Import a basie outline and then freestyle my ideas on to the design software. I might work a mini detail and then expand on it if it’s working well.

IGET out my materials and work a few stltches to see if the colours l’ve chosen ‘pop’enough. After colour tweaks 1 amend the finał design ready for production. lusuallyworkontwoor three ‘end use’ altematiyes as well to add yariety to the finished works.

IACTUALLY do the design very quickly - it's the stitching that takes the time!

CrossSfóOif OO

JANUARY 20r