Lindsay Hawes is the creative mind behind Linden Acres. Look closely, she combines a variety of fiber art techniques to create original work that encourages the viewer to come closer and see the details. Her work is inspired by nature and born out of wild ideas.
How did you get started making fiber art? Why did you choose that medium?
My fiber arts journey began during the pandemic. I came across embroidery while scrolling Pinterest and decided to give it a try. I was fascinated by the different stitches, knots, and the history of embroidery. It was thread painting in particular that intrigued me, but I realized very quickly what a slow process it can be.
I moved on to weaving after that; I researched the different techniques and bought my first loom. I enjoyed the therapeutic rhythm of passing the fibers through the warp. The assortment of fibers and the different textures that they create amazed me. I continued weaving for a time, but longed for more dimension than the loom provided.
Over time, I realized that there were no rules that I had to follow when creating my art. I could blend the different fiber art genres and techniques, allowing them to overlap and mingle in my artwork. Now, using a combination of weaving, stump work embroidery, needle felting and mixed media, I design my unique fiber art creations which are inspired by nature and born out of wild ideas.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Read more about our affiliate linking policy.
What do you do differently? What is your signature that makes your work stand out as yours?
I strive to think and create outside of the box. Instead of creating what everyone else is, I try to take it a step further. I’ve been told on many occasions that what stands out in my art are the details. I want my pieces to be increasingly interesting the closer you come to them.
What motivates you artistically?
I am happiest when my hands are busy. Getting to witness a piece come together from nothing is incredibly motivating.
How does your environment influence your creativity?
We live in a very rural area surrounded by nature. It is a peaceful and slow-paced environment where the animals outnumber the people, and there are wildflowers out in the fields almost year round. My designs are greatly inspired by nature, and I can’t help but think that it has a lot to do with my surroundings.
Do you plan your work out ahead of time, or do you just dive in with your materials and start playing?
Not too many of my pieces are planned. Oftentimes it is a whirlwind from initial idea and inspiration to diving right in.
Describe your creative space.
I am fortunate enough to have a craft room of my own to create in. It is a sort of organized chaos with bins of fiber and thread stacked on shelves, antique books here and there, and works in progress covering the counters. It is complete with a cozy chair and two windows that overlook the vegetable garden, pond and chicken coop.
What is your favorite tip for organizing your stash of creative supplies?
I think that organizing by type of fiber and color order has helped me tremendously.
How often do you start a new project? Do you work actively on more than one project at a time?
I always have multiple works going at once. I find that if I get hung up on a piece, it is helpful to set it aside and work on something else. Then once I come back to it after a while, I can work it out more smoothly than trying to just push through it.
Which part of the design process is your favorite? Which part is a challenge for you?
My favorite parts of the process are the beginning and the end. I really enjoy getting started on a new project and seeing it start to come to life. The middle is usually the challenging part. There is always a point in the middle that I call the “awkward teenager phase” where I just have to trust the process, and it eventually comes together. I love getting to the end and seeing the idea grow into a tangible piece of art.
How has your work changed over time?
As time goes by, I can tell that my stitches and techniques have become more refined than they were initially, but in a way my work has stayed much the same. My pieces of art remain closely rooted to nature, and I still add my fiber moss to everything I can.
How do you know when a piece or project is finished and needs no additional work?
I’m not sure if I can put into words how I know when a project is finished. It feels as if it’s an intuition with the piece itself. I just know. It is something that has become easier to judge as time has gone by.
Where can people see your work?
People can find my work in my Etsy shop: www.etsy.com/shop/LindenAcres and they can also catch behind the scenes, process videos and finished pieces on my Instagram and Facebook accounts: www.instagram.com/LindenAcresDesign and www.facebook.com/LindenAcresDesign
Interview posted February 2024
Browse through more hand stitching inspiration on Create Whimsy.