My first embroidery was made in elementary school during practical classes. Using a satin stitch, I embroidered a small, yellow chicken with a blue bow. I was very proud of myself and I felt that embroidery was something special.
This is how my journey and love for the needle and thread began.
After that, I embroidered from time to time, mainly cross stitching. Sometimes this would be more complicated patterns, sometimes monochrome. It would depend on what was happening in my life (how much time I had, what mood I was in, whether I wanted to make a special gift for someone)
After graduation, I worked in a call center, where I booked flights. I spent the whole day in front of the computer. In the meantime, I browsed photos on the internet. I watched beautiful items sewn and embroidered by people all over the world.
As a wedding gift from my mom, I got a sewing machine. I started sewing. A lot. In the meantime, I gave birth to two daughters and became a full-time mother. I loved and still love to stay at home with my children. But I wanted to do something with my sewing and stitching too.
Four years ago, I opened a small workshop, which I named SZYCIOTEKA (you can try to say this word aloud.. I know it can be difficult, so you can check out an alternative name of my shop on Etsy. I don’t want to break anyone’s tongue with it :).
I sewed fabric dolls. I embroidered their faces by myself. I always felt that the dolls were more special with a hand-embroidered face. I could use an embroidery machine, which I had in my studio, but I just didn’t want to.
I started to design patterns and spend more time on embroidery. I saw inspiration everywhere.
I looked at mosaic tiles on the floor and I instantly thought that it would look great as an embroidery. I looked at flowers, wreaths, buildings, trees, colors and all I thought about was stitching.
I have a lot of things which I’ve made myself in my home (stitching or sewing). Each items means much more than others bought in the store. Looking at the cross-stitch, standing on the shelf in my kitchen, I see much more than just cookies and a cup. I remember when and how this embroidery was made. With a big belly (I was into my second pregnancy), I sat on the sofa and spent my time with a needle and a thread.
I also like to see my craft in the houses of my family or friends... It is such a great feeling. Do something with your own hands, give it to someone and see that they like it and use it. I want you to feel the same feeling that I feel: creation, pride, memories, joy of giving.