With the nights drawing in over here in the UK and the wintery nip chilling the air, I hope you’ll all agree that a trip to sunny Australia is most welcome – even if just a virtual one. Today’s featured seller and her wares have helped inspire a whole army of stitchers, (myself included), and hopefully now you too my lovely readers. So without further ado let me introduce you to Sonia Lyne, aka Dandelyne, and the wonderful world of her mini-hoops.
Before creating her amazing mini-hoop empire, (if it isn’t one yet it certainly should be!), Sonia began a varied career in the fashion industry, attending the London College of Fashion to become a pattern maker/grader. She has also worked as an Assistant Stylist in Europe, as a buyer for a leading clothing brand, created and managed her own children’s clothing line until taking up a needle and hoop again in 2011 to stitch her first family portrait, where in her own words: ‘my heart-for-materials and thread rediscovered what felt like home.’ Soon she found herself daydreaming not only about small and simple embroidery projects but also about teeny, tiny embroidery hoops and like the very smart cookie she is she figured there must be others out there who wanted exactly the same thing, and thus the fabulous world of Dandelyne was created.
Myself being one such stitcher, longing for the teeniest hoop I could lay my hands on, was over the moon when the stitch gods guided me to Dandelyne’s door. So with the help of her delightful mini hoops I’ve managed to create an ever increasing range of necklaces inspired by my love of silhouettes. Dandelyne has helped create an inspiring family of stitchers brought together by the wonders of the mini-hoop and all with their own very unique style, many of them shared on Dandelyne’s instagram, so be sure to take a peek and why not become one yourself…….come join us!
What is your earliest stitching memory?
When did I first fall in love with this art? We all remember our first time. I learnt to sew under the expertise of a beautiful woman named Mrs Mulrooney, when I was 7. I attended a small rural school and on a Friday afternoon all of the girls would head to the library to master the basics of embroidery on gingham squares. And thus a flame was ignited.
What fires your imagination?
My imagination is ignited by colour: and lots of it, sweet miniature bits and bobs, family adventures, the unexpected moments (when I slow down) and seeing the work of other stitchers, especially in my little hoops. All of these things also remind me why I do what I do … simply because I. LOVE. IT!
I can think of nothing better than finishing this edition of ‘Exploring Etsy‘ with some final inspiring words from the awesome Sonia. ‘Dandelyne is about small scale embroidery projects that are satisfying, rewarding, soul-boosting and frankly, just look so damn cute. Using the miniature embroidery hoop to frame your designs, you can choose to capture precious things and stitch them as a keepsake of that moment – stitch an initial, stitch a drawing, stitch a line, stitch a face. The options are endless and so are the stitches. It is my hope that you celebrate your embroidery awesomeness and frame it, wear it, enjoy it and be proud of your handiwork.’ You can do just that by visiting her shop, so why not!
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Jessica Taylor aka Loadofolbobbins is a Textile Artist and Illustrator based by the sea in Portsmouth. At her happiest with a needle and thread, with a passion for genealogy she often explores old photographs in her Textile art. With her fingers in many creative pies she loves to experiment with new techniques, creating illustrated and stitched goodies for her new Etsy shop.
