I want to let you know about changes that have happened this year and the effect that a Covid 19 world has had on us.
Here in New Zealand, we have been very lucky that our Government pursued a Covid 19 elimination policy with a very early strict lockdown in March and April last year and until the Delta variant finally got into the community, life was pretty normal.
You can buy All things Kiwi Needlepoint Postcard here
We have been able to do this as we are so far away from the rest of the world, this has also meant that with fewer planes flying to New Zealand and the slow down in shipping we have had a challenging time with our supply chains and the cost of international shipping.
As we went into lockdown (a perfect time for stitching) the company that printed the Jennifer Pudney canvases was waiting on a part from China to fix their printer – so we were low on printed canvas just when everyone wanted them.
Following this, we invested in a printer and heat press so we could print our own and not be so dependent on others.
Once over this issue, we then started 2021 with a shortage of canvas. The Zweigart mill in Germany has been affected by lockdowns and unprecedented demand for embroidery fabrics.
This has meant that I have been making up kits as they have been ordered to make use of the limited amount of canvas that I had. As of August I now have plenty of canvas and I am enjoying restocking all the designs so I can get the kits out to you faster.
In order to further isolate the production of kits from supply chain problems, we have taken the opportunity to convert the Jennifer Pudney Cushions to our own New Zealand made Strand yarn.
Because last year was such a strange year, while I needed to stitch, no new designs were coming, so it was with great pleasure that I reacquainted myself with Jennifer’s lovely colour combinations and took the opportunity to restitch some of her designs with our Strand yarn.
I especially loved the Midnight Garden and Starfish designs – the lustre of the Strand wool enhanced the richness of the colours. You can see the range of Jennifer Pudney Needlepoint Cushions here
At the end of March, after nearly 22 years of owning Nancys Stitch Studio (formerly Nancys Embroidery Shop), I have now sold it to Sue and Shanon at Busy Bee Quilt Shop and can now concentrate on doing what I love, designing and stitching.
Mary Self Textiles will continue the manufacture, online sales and wholesaling of the Jennifer Pudney needlepoint designs, the NZ made Strand yarn and my own designs.
You will still be able to see the full range of these products and new ones as they are developed at Busy Bee Quilt Shop in Kilbirnie, Wellington.
Our Strand yarn in 10m, 30m skeins and 100gm balls and unique embroidery designs are on my other website maryself.nz here
This change is allowing me time to bring new designs to you – finally getting into production a number of designs like Sunny Side Up that have been in the pipeline for a couple of years.
You can buy this design here
After a period of time to acclimatize to the changes after 22 years running a 7 day a week retail shop, the creative juices are starting to flow – so watch this space.
Stay well and safe. Happy stitching, sewing, quilting, knitting, crocheting, painting, felting, embroidering, crafting and most importantly creating!!
Regards Mary