BRAZILIAN EMBROIDERY - PEGGY STEADMAN

 I have stitched since I was very young. In 1993, while visiting a local community festival I came upon a booth with a display of Brazilian Embroidery. I returned to the community and took lessons at a local thread shop and I've been stitching that medium since then. 

There were no shops in the Valley that carried the threads and patterns until Needlers Nest opened, and at that time they decided to stock everything and I decided to teach others this beautiful way to embroider. 

In my working years I taught employees to operate cash registers at a large grocery firm in the Pacific Northwest and enjoyed teaching individuals and seeing their joy and satisfaction in accomplishing a new skill. This enjoyment continues with the classes in Brazilian Embroidery.

CARD EMBROIDERY - LINDA WILSON 

I've always been a crafter. While showing a friend how to do something new, I discovered that not only did I have a knack for teaching but I truly enjoyed it.

CROSS STITCH - BETTELOU WATSON  

I first learned the basics of embroidery when I was 7 years old. I was home sick from school and bored to tears. My mom sketched the outline of a Santa on a piece of muslin and taught me the stem stitch, French knots and the lazy daisy stitch. I stitched on and off for the next 18 years.

In 1979, after I was married, I saw a piece in a friend's house. I was convinced it was needlepoint but she told me it was counted cross stitch. I also found a needlework store and they offered to teach me to cross stitch. I wasn't interested at the time. Then a friend of mine was having a baby and I was given the chance to stitch a square for a baby quilt my church group was making for her. This time I said yes. Her friend taught me to cross stitch. Then a week later my friend offered to teach me herself. I couldn't say no without giving away the secret of her quilt so I let her teach me all over again. A couple of years later, when I was expecting my first baby, my friend stitched the very same square on my baby quilt that I had stitched on hers (only she had done a much nicer job). 

In 1992, I began attending the Spirit of Cross Stitch festivals that were occurring all over the country. In 1996, they became the Creative Arts festivals and I attended them as well. It was there that I expanded my knowledge of stitching and branched out into specialty stitches. I took classes from nationally known teachers such as Linda Barry, Dawn Lewis, Linda Able and Liz Turner Diehl. 

Over the years I've tried other forms of stitchery such as needlepoint and hardanger, but I always find myself returning to my first and best love, cross stitch.. 

HARDANGER - BARBARA BENTSEN 

Many years ago I took a hardanger class to make an ornament. It was small and hard to do, so I didn't do any more. A few years later I took another class. This piece was easier to see and do. I then bought patterns that I did nothing with. 

After moving to Arizona, while volunteering at the hospital I met a patient doing hardanger. I told her about my previous experience. She invited me to the Creative Stitchers Club of Sun City West where she said someone would help me get started again. I went, and when I told the monitor that morning what I was interested in she said to sit right by her and she would help me. 

As far as teaching, I have helped when there have been classes at the club. One of the members (who works at this store) asked if I would be interested in teaching at the store. She applied a little pressure and here I am. I do enjoy getting others started and hope they continue with the craft.

KNITTING & TATTING - IRENE BERSUCH 

My mother started me knitting as soon as I could hold the needles. I'm from Scotland where you needed those woolies to keep you warm. It was also one of our classes in school, including the boys. Everybody knitted. Needless to say I had all the help I needed to learn the craft. 

I always followed patterns until suddenly I wondered, why am I doing it this way, what if I did it like this. That was when I started to study knitting, the whys, the hows and the what ifs. It's amazing what you can do with a knit and purl stitch.

 After my husband died I needed something to do. I was a supervisor when I worked so I was used to listening to and helping people. Thus, I decided since I've been knitting for over 65 years (about 55 years at the time) I can surely teach people to knit. I've been teaching for about 10 years and enjoy passing the skill on to others. 

The yarns we have nowadays are just begging to be turned into something beautiful. There are books and magazines to inspire you. Come join me and learn this art that has existed for centuries so you can help keep it alive and have fun while doing so. 

Tatting I learned about 10 years ago. I haven't studied it like knitting, but I can get you to flip that knot. You can even tat a trim for that sweater you're going to knit.

NEEDLEPOINT & STITCHING ARTIST - MARY OSTER 

I have been stitching and knitting for at least 73 years starting with embroidering stamped tea towels, pillow cases and hand towels as a youngster of ten. I now find the field of needlework constantly evolving each day into another exciting pattern and new thread (hand-dyed, over-dyed, metallic, cotton, linen, silk, wool and on and on) with glorious fabrics and canvases to meet the challenge. 

I've had the opportunity to stitch with many national teachers on their exquisite designs and to see their demonstrations on a new technique as well as the proper way to execute a stitch or area. Much of my learning has come from listening and stitching with friends or students who are willing to share their knowledge and expertise. It is through these educators that I went from a self-taught stitcher to a more informed needler. 

I joined the Phoenix Needlework Guild, Creative Stitchers of Sun City West, American Needlepoint Guild, Embroidery Guild of America and I sought guidance at my local needlepoint shop. The magazines and classes from these sources are a true gift to a needler. 

I constantly read magazines and books and try out new ideas in order to hone my skills and help others to enjoy the art of needlework whatever it might be. 

PUNCHNEEDLE - CATHY VAUGHT

 What led me to teaching.

 When Merry asked me that question, it took me by surprise. First the realization that, yes I am teaching needlework, and secondly, how did that happen!  Believe it or not, I can look back to first grade and my teacher Mrs. Startzel (who could ever forget her name). Learning to read and developing a love for learning through her was the most important thing that happened to me in my entire life. In third grade my teacher said that "I visited my neighbors too much". That hasn't changed. 

Fast forward to my working life in health care. The part that I truly enjoyed was patient education. After I retired what I missed most was keeping up with the advances in my field (continuing education), and in turn passing this information on to my patients. 

With more than enough time on my hands to pursue new interests I became involved in needlework, and although I have tried most forms, and truly love many of them, I found a little niche for myself in one special area. Miniature Russian Punchneedle has become my needlework love. 

After exhibiting some work in a club needlework show, Merry asked if I would consider teaching the technique. I had never thought of myself as a teacher and was a little hesitant at first. Then I thought about how much I enjoyed the "education" part of my working life, and that "aha I get it" moment that I see when my granddaughter learns something new. It sounded like it would be fun, and .....I get to talk a lot, just like third grade!