Lemon Pepper Studio was established by Pippa Haynes in 2017 and began as an exploration into preserving nature through the medium of thread. Born from a love of the great outdoors it celebrates both the art of hand embroidery and the magic of nature.”
Pippa combines very fine hand embroidery with 3D structures to create hyper-realistic embroidered sculptures. As well as selling her sculptures on her website, Pippa also provides ‘craft kits’ as a way to enable others to recreate her works of art. We’re so happy Pippa stopped by, and interviewed with us here at Mr X Stitch!
How did your technique evolve?
My technique evolved over a long time and it’s definitely been an organic process, I began with the basics and just experimented from there. For me it has always been about trying to create something and manipulating the thread to achieve it rather than letting the thread guide, and often limit, me.
My process is less about doing things the correct way so it has been a journey of developing ideas through playing with the thread and making lots of mistakes along the way, I have a whole basket of unfinished projects but with each one I have learnt something valuable that I have carried on to my next pieces.
It’s a constant process so I try to build in time to keep developing my style and techniques but it’s definitely difficult when you’re trying to run a business too!
It can be daunting when all we see online is finished products. In reality, it takes a lot of time and practice to master a craft. It is refreshing to hear Pippa speak about her journey, and all of the different pieces that have lead her to the established artistic style we see today.
Where do you think your creativity is taking you?
I don’t have a specific goal for where my creativity is taking me as such because I really like to keep the studio as a place free for exploration rather than getting distracted by trying to reach a certain point.
I am really enjoying where it is headed at the moment though which is developing my kits into a really interesting and exciting range whilst also still making the pieces that I love creating.
It is so exciting to see Pippa branch into creating kits for her audience. Already, Lemon Pepper Studio has a huge appeal and a great following on Instagram so it is wonderful so many people want to take the extra step and try their hand at her craft.
What other artists inspire you?
I am really inspired by a lot of the work done by the people I follow on Instagram but I would also say I am heavily inspired by painters such as Georgia O’Keefe and a lot of Dutch Still Life work. I also use a lot of Victorian and Edwardian plant collections and sketches when designing my pieces and kits.
What is your favourite tool to use in your practice?
My favourite tool to use would have to be my needle because nothing would happen without it! As a close second I always have a set of very fine tweezers on my desk for help with the tiny details in my work and they’re brilliant.
It is unsurprising that one of Pippa’s favourite tools is her tweezers – just look at those minute details!
Can you share one creative tip with our readers?
One creative tip I would give it to always stay open to new ideas. It is so easy to find a path and get stuck in it, doing the same thing because it feels comfortable and you are good at it but I always remind myself that art is a process of development that never really stops so you always have to be willing to change.
It can feel difficult at first but then you might find it leads you to new areas of creativity that you wouldn’t have thought of before. It isn’t a case of starting and then reaching your goal, you have to work through the stages because the journey is half of the end result.
It’s easy to forget to evolve when we feel confident and settled with a distinct way of working. Pippa’s work is a great example of how to seek endless forms of inspiration and take time to explore new subjects. If you’re looking for a new muse yourself – what could be more ever-changing than the natural world around us?
Thank you so much to Pippa of Lemon Pepper Studio for joining us for an interview! If you are not already, make sure to check out endless examples of Pippa’s beautiful work and process over on her Instagram, and check out her website too while you’re at it.
