Spotlight: Carley Pettitt, Embroidery Artist and Designer

Carley Pettitt started Nest Embirdery and received such overwhelming support that it gave her the confidence to become a full time artist. Take a close look at her embroidery designs. Her unique abstract lace floral style creates realistic wildlife designs.

Why embroidery? How does that medium best express what you want to communicate through your art?

When I was younger, I focused mainly on sketch work, ink drawing, and painting. I fell out of touch with those art forms as I got into university and focused on my career, and every time I tried to get back into it – I was constantly comparing myself to my previous skill level and became really uninspired.

When I was going through a particularly difficult time in my life, I tried a few different hobbies and fell in love with embroidery. The opportunities to create are endless, but it’s a completely different art form – which means that I have nothing to compare it to, but so much growth to look forward to.

It also quiets my brain in hands and has become a major form of meditation for me to deal with my anxiety disorders.

What do you do differently? What is your signature that makes your work stand out as yours?

I think my style really stands out because I create realistic pieces using an abstract lace floral style that isn’t really seen with other embroidery artists as far as I know. When I was a younger artist, I focused on realism but my true passion laid in abstract work. Being able to combine the two styles into one keeps my passion alive and keeps me from feeling stuck, as I’m constantly challenging myself.

I think it stands out to people because at first glance, it seems like one thing… but as you look closer, you can see many different images and designs that make up the singular image.

How do you manage your creative time? Do you schedule start and stop times? Or work only when inspired?

Because embroidery is so meditative for me, I usually embroider on a daily basis – mostly once my toddler goes to bed. It’s a great way for me to decompress from a day of wrangling a two-year-old!

Do you use a sketchbook or journal? How does that help your work develop?

I have a journal where I flesh out ideas, and I use a sketchbook as well. I often use Procreate to sketch out most of my ideas. Then I can trace my designs directly from the program once I’ve completed my design.

What is your favorite storage tip for your threads and creative supplies?

When I was in my third trimester, I “nested” by organizing ALL of my thread. I use the Lord Libidan DMC thread tracker to keep track of how many skeins I have. I sort my bobbins by DMC number (as organized in their thread cards) and then sort extra threads in drawers by colour. 

Describe your creative space.

Organized Chaos! I have a cart with frequently used supplies upstairs near the couch, which is my favourite place to embroider. There’s a Carley shaped spot in the couch where I live when I’m stitching! In our basement, almost half of it is taken up by kit-building supplies, fabric, packaging, and my hoop inventory.

What plays in the background while you work? Silence? Music, audiobooks, podcasts, movies? If so, what kind?

I either listen to audiobooks as obtained through my library, or I watch the most intensely intellectual TV shows… I’m talking Ru Paul’s Drag Race, Love Island, and Below Deck. 😉 They make for great background noise!

How often do you start a new project? Do you work actively on more than one project at a time?

I’ve never been one to put down a project before it is done, so I only work on one project at a time. If I start doing multiple projects, it tends to stress me out.

Can you tell us about the inspiration and process of one of your works? How does a new work come about?

I’m a huge animal nerd. I have a background in animal care, so my main inspiration comes from the animal kingdom and the wildlife around us. I like to really focus on endangered species as I can, or animals that people don’t commonly know about. That way I can create art to appreciate an amazing animal, and also bring awareness to others in the process.

Which part of the design process is your favorite? Which part is a challenge for you?

My least favourite part is the tracing process. I just think it’s the most boring part of embroidery! My favourite part is free-handing the floral designs as I work and seeing the image come to life as I stitch.

Is there an overarching theme that connects all of your work?

Animal Conservation, Biology, and Endangered Species. Even my kits are focused on sustainability, with 95% plastic-free packaging and FSC-certifited embroidery hoops.

How does your environment influence your creativity?

While my background is in animal conservation and has always influenced my work, it was multiplied ten-fold when my son came into our lives. It’s essential for me to do everything I can to give my son a healthy environment to grow up in.

What do you do to keep yourself motivated and interested in your work? 

I stay interested by making sure I don’t burn myself out, and I always create things that inspire me, rather than creating things just for the sake of making money. 

How do you know when a piece or project is finished and needs no additional work? 

When I feel like my piece is finished, I put it down and leave it for at least a day, and definitely make sure I look at it in natural light before I put a backing on it. (Especially since I’m often working late into the night under artificial lighting!) When I come back to it and I’m happy with it, I put the backing on right away so I’m not tempted to go back to it later.

When was the first time that you remember realizing that you are a creative person? 

I think I’ve always been a creative person. My mom is really creative, so I’ve always been drawing or painting or creating murals with my parents since I can remember!

What traits, if any, do you think that creative people have as compared to people who are not creative? 

I don’t think there are any traits that non-creative people are missing. In fact, I really feel like everyone has the ability to be creative, they just need to find the right medium. 

How have other people supported or inspired you?

The entire textile community has been a huge inspiration to me. When I started Nest Embirdery, it was meant as an account for myself more than anything. The overwhelming support I received right off the bat gave me the confidence and inspiration to continue growing my abilities and now I can call myself a full-time artist. I truly don’t think I would’ve been as ambitious if it weren’t for the amazing people that have surrounded me, many of them becoming close friends.

Where can people see your work?

My work can be found on nest-embirdery.ca and at the Alberta Craft Council. My most thorough collection of art is exhibited on my instagram (@nest.embirdery) where you can follow my art, right from the very beginning in 2020!