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This week on Stitch Wish Radio, I’m joined by Anna Hultin—artist, teacher, and the founder of Olander Co. In this quiet and grounding conversation, we talk about the power of doing something just because it feels good, the meditative nature of repetition, and the intentional choice to build a creative life that honors your limits.

Anna opens up about how motherhood shaped her boundaries, how she built a thriving embroidery business without burning out, and how she continues to stay connected to her why—even in seasons of fatigue and uncertainty.

Whether you’re a seasoned maker or just picking up a needle for the first time, this episode is your reminder that your pace is enough—and your art doesn’t have to be perfect to be worthy.

In this episode, we talk about:

• The importance of boredom and margin in creativity
• How embroidery became Anna’s daily anchor
• Letting go of perfectionism and finding freedom in limitations
• Building a business that honors your rhythms instead of burning you out

Find Anna at @olandercoembroidery and explore her work, courses, and patterns at olandercoembroidery.com

My latest book, The Art of Embroidery Design: https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/christi-johnson/the-art-of-embroidery-design/9781635867664/

Anna's Website: https://www.olandercoembroidery.com/
Anna's new book, The Stitched Landscape, available for pre-order: https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/anna-hultin/the-stitched-landscape/9781635868456/

(00:01:50) Transformative Embroidery Art: Colorado Nature Inspiration
(00:11:24) Transforming the Ordinary: Artist Inspired by Wyeth
(00:15:08) Embracing Profound Beauty in Everyday Moments
(00:16:31) Embroidering Nature's Ever-Changing Patterns in Art
(00:21:06) Sanctuary for Creative Evolution in Art
(00:29:31) Embroidery Book Focusing on Mindful Nature
(00:35:13) Transformative Influence of Everyday Beauty
(00:39:05) Substack Platform for Artistic Expression and Connection

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This was originally a YouTube video - watch here!

Welcome to Fallen Empires—a collection of handmade garments inspired by the rise and fall of power, stitched slowly from reclaimed fabrics and ancient stories. 

In this video, I take you behind the scenes of the first half of the collection: from Cleopatra to Caesar, from Marie Antoinette to imagined goddess eras.

Mentioned in this episode:

Embroidery Course Sale! 20% off ends FRIDAY May 30th at 11:59pm EST

The Fallen Empires collection

My YouTube

The FREE Rectangle Tee Mini-Course

Also Mentioned:
My Spring Journal YouTube
Roman Tiles Skirt MIWM (make it with me)
Interview with designer Pamela Mayer
Fabscrap - Textile Recycler
Stone Mountain & Daughter Deadstock Fabrics

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Today on Stitch Wish Radio, I’m sitting down with the incredible Gabriela Martínez Ortiz—textile artist, embroidery visionary, and the creator of Ofelia & Antelmo. Gabriela’s work is this beautiful meeting point between repetition, nature, and intuitive process. We talk about how embroidery became her way of slowing down, finding healing, and reclaiming her artistic voice after leaving the fast-paced world of fashion. Her story is deeply inspiring—woven with themes of lineage, inner knowing, and the slow evolution of craft into purpose.

Whether you’re an artist, a dreamer, or just feeling your way toward a slower, more intentional life—this conversation is for you.

Gabriela's Website: https://ofeliayantelmo.com/en/
Her Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ofeliayantelmo

My New Book, The Art of Embroidery Design https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-art-of-embroidery-design-expand-your-creativity-an[…]l-stitching-designs-christi-johnson/21470337?ean=9781635867664
The new pocket altar workshop I mentioned https://mixed-color-school.teachable.com/p/pocket-altar-workshop

(00:04:08) Transforming Embroidery into Versatile Textile Art
(00:05:52) Intricate Stitch Creations in Embroidery Workshops
(00:13:56) Gabriela's Therapeutic Journey Through Embroidery
(00:17:44) Embroidery: A Journey to Creative Fulfillment
(00:23:43) Embroidery: Connecting through Infinite Stitching Journeys
(00:32:01) Organic Patterns: Nature's Influence in Design
(00:35:47) Cultural Textile Traditions in Contemporary Embroidery
(00:36:44) Organic Patterns: A Visual Exploration

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(psst - don't forget, SOFT WORK Intuitive Garment Design course price goes up on April 1st! Sign up now and you'll get lifetime access at the lowest price!)

In honor of the yearly *spring cleaning* I'm avoiding in my own studio - I share some of my favorite methods for getting organized, both with materials and inspiration! These tips will help both your physical and digital spaces, and if you've got a traveling studio (or... a studio that moonlights as a dining room table or living room floor?) I've got some ideas for you as well. 

I hope this supports your artistic practice!

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Next up in the artists featured in my new book, The Art of Embroidery Design, Beth Hoyes, an artist and art therapist from the UK whose work centers around nature, exploring themes of animal symbolism, folklore and interconnectivity. 

Beth discusses her journey from dabbling in embroidery to making it the cornerstone of her art practice, the meditative process behind her creations, and how her background as an art therapist influences her work. The discussion also touches on balancing artistic passion with parenting, infusing folklore into artwork, and how moving countries, and the changing studio spaces that accompany these moves, has impacted her work and her process.

Explore Beth's Work:

@rabbithatdesigns on Instagram

rabbithatdesigns.com

bethhoyes.weebly.com

Order the Art of Embroidery Design

bookshop.org

thriftbooks.com

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This episode is all about connecting, or reconnecting, with your personal style of creativity. Let's review the fears that often inhibit our creative expression, like the fear of not being productive, fear of judgment, and lack of ideas. You’ll learn about the benefits of slowing down, discover actionable steps to manage and overcome creative blocks - and explore one of my favorite activities for ensuring you never run out of ideas!

Magic Threads LAST CHANCE!
Spark Your Inspiration Course
Pre-Order The Art of Embroidery Design
FREE Lesson For Book Pre-Orders! 

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In this episode, I welcomed back Tessa Perlow, an incredibly talented embroidery artist inspired by magic and nature. We discussed her journey and evolution since her last appearance on the podcast, her new creative ventures into other mediums, the challenges of managing physical strain and burnout, and the intricacies of running a creative business in today's world. 

Tessa also shares her thoughts on the importance of allowing oneself to play, researching inspirations deeply, and making art that truly resonates both personally and with her audience. Whether you're an artist, a fan of her work, or someone interested in the balance between creativity and business, this conversation was filled with gems for you!

Where to find Tessa:
Etsy
Instagram
YouTube

My workshops mentioned in intro:
Magic Threads LAST CALL
Spark Your Imagination Workshop
Stitch Explorer Workshop

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Next up in the artists featured in my new book, The Art of Embroidery Design, photographer and embroiderer Valeria Duque! We connected on the mystical nature of image-making, the power or words and language, and accessing the inner worlds through art.

Valeria shared how she combines embroidery with her photography, viewing it as "writing with light" (the etymology of the word photograph).

We discuss into her inspirations sources, which include a deep connection to nature and indigenous communities and practices. Valeria also discussed the impact of AI on artistry, the importance of maintaining artisanal crafts, and the spiritual connection she finds in her work.

Valeria's website
Valeria's Instagram
The Art of Embroidery Design (now available for pre-order, releases January 21 2025)

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This is a new series on the podcast where I interview all of the contemporary artists in my new book, The Art of Embroidery Design!

Sarah K Benning dives into her experience as a contemporary embroidery artist, her transition from art student to accidental small business owner to a full-time job, and how her creative process and relationship with art have evolved.

Sarah highlights the therapeutic aspects of embroidery, the challenges of sustaining a creative livelihood, and her new role helping to support creative entrepreneurs.

Mentioned in this episode:
Sarah K Benning's website
Sarah's instagram
Embroidered Life: The art of Sarah K Benning (written by Sarah Barnes)
My upcoming book, The Art of Embroidery Design, publishing January 2025

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Today I’m talking with Amelia Knott RP, RCAT, who I know through instagram handle of @art_therapy_irl, Amelia is the author of: The Art of Thriving Online, Creative Exercises to Help You Stay Grounded+ Feel Joy in the World of Social Media

"...a work book that is intended to help readers develop a conscious + healthy relationship with the world of social media through creative activities, reflections, therapeutic art, writing prompts, + more"

We’ll be talking about how the artmaking process can support the processing of our lived experiences, the impact of social media on our inner worlds and how to explore the relationship we have to social media - without having to delete the apps off of our phones!

Pre-order The Art of Thriving Online
Join the Free Workshop included with Pre-orders!
Amelia's Anti-Hustle Art Studio