Alina Bunaciu | Mr X Stitch

Bună my readers and fellow needlecraft groupies, it is an honour as always to share the work of many a talented maker with you all and this edition of 'Exploring Etsy' is no exception. Allow me to introduce you all to the wonderful world of Alina Bunaciu and her shop 'Hanaletters'. Annoyed Urban Fox Pin - Alina Bunaciu (Hand Embroidery) 2014 Year of the Horse Brooch by Alina Bunaciu (Hand Embroidery) Born in a small town in Romania called Arad, Alina runs a secondhand bookstore with her boyfriend. Despite never exploring the arts in her own studies she has always been attracted to all things handmade. Now spending her days surrounded by books and felt, (sounds like heaven to me!), her major interests are hand sewing and embroidery. Giant Fish and a Paper Boat Brooch by Alina Bunaciu (Hand Embroidery) Curious Bunny Brooch by Alina Bunaciu (Hand Embroidery) What is your earliest stitching memory? I cannot say that I began stitching at an early age, as a teenager I remember that I loved to do needlepoint but at some point I stopped. Then after graduating from college I discovered felt and decided that it was time to put my creativity to work, the beginning was a bit slow but as I was getting to know more about felt I realised that the possibilities were countless and that I can create my own world out of felt. It took me four years to get where I am now but I enjoyed every step of the process, from sketching to sewing. Daily Knitter Brooch by Alina Bunaciu (Hand Embroidery) A Girl Who Loves Cats Brooch by Alina Bunaciu (Hand Embroidery) What fires your imagination? I am mostly inspired by illustrated children's books, vintage illustrated children's postcards, cute manga and fairy tales. I also collect miniature portraits, miniature objects, small animals, dolls, toys, wooden toys, rubber stamps and Korean stationery. All these put together represent a small world which fascinates and inspires me to create my own characters. Fox Mind - The Paved Way to Hedgehog Love Brooch by Alina Bunaciu (Hand Embroidery) Forgotten in the Garden Brooch by Alina Bunaciu (Hand Embroidery) Alina's shop is full of fun and colourful characters that are clearly made with a lot of love and attention to detail. Why not give yourself a treat and head on over there, maybe even buy a piece or too! ----- 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.