My introduction to the world of needlepoint came about as a result of happenstance. Directly after graduating with a BA in Art History, I "happened" to be looking for a full-time job. At that time, I was living with my mother in Gloucester, MA, teaching a crafts class to children in her basement. Totally out of the blue, a favorite aunt phoned me to ask if I wanted to learn how to paint needlepoint canvases for a small shop in Camden, ME called Needlearts. I had never done needlepoint but I had always admired my grandmother's gorgeous needlepoint dining room chairs, wall hangings, pillows, etc. Sight unseen and without hesitation I said "Yes!"

“Mom's ATM" purse insert, MBM #65, 4" x 6.5"
18 mesh
 
Distributed by CBK Needlepoint Collections

Some years later, motherhood intervened and I found myself moving back to Cape Cod. This gave me an opportunity to work at home creating custom designs for a needlepoint shop, Christine's Osterville Needlepoint Shop, owned by Christine Kesten. I painted designs for Christine's shop for 10 years or so before she asked if I would like her to distribute some of my more popular designs to the wholesale market. We have continued this partnership to this day. Christine's wholesale business, CBK Needlepoint Collections, has grown to include many talented artists.

One year, Christine and I were thrilled to see our Christmas ornament displayed on the Clinton White House Christmas tree along with other ornaments submitted by members of TNNA. I designed and painted the 10" tall Cape Cod-themed ornament and Christine stitched it.

My web site highlights some of my custom designs that I've enjoyed creating with customers and shops over the years. Also, 2 years ago I got permission to paint and distribute a fun design by the Claude-Henri Saunier. It depicts the Eiffel Tower as a French man walking in Paris with a baguette under his arm and his dog tagging along. It is available on both 13 and 18 mesh.

Some of my designs, not distributed by CBK, are more focused on Cape Cod, New England and sports motifs. These tend to have a slightly more limited audience than those that I sell through CBK. I sell these canvases to shops and stitchers through my web site: www.needlepointdesigns.com. Here one will find images of the canvases that are distributed by CBK Needlepoint Collection as well as my "other" collection.                        

Custom Design of
House painted on
13 mesh.

"Hello Paris"
by permission of
Henri Saunier.
18 or 13 mesh      
 8.75" x 11.75"
Available from needlepointdesigns.com

Painting at home can be a rather solitary task at times. Fortunately, I can balance this part of my needlepoint work with a part time job as assistant librarian at a small independent library in West Falmouth. It is a delightful place to work and I am constantly on the look-out for new ideas for designs by scanning the books that cross our circulation desk and while talking with our patrons.

Ever since I was a teenager I have had the utmost appreciation for anything made by hand. Being an extremely "right brained", visual person, creativity came naturally to me. I find that creativity takes time, effort, and in some cases, risks. It is a shame that some people will shy away from the creative arts and needlepoint in particular, when one can easily purchase pre-stitched and finished items such as needlepoint stockings, slippers and pillows at stores or on-line. I miss the individualism in our day-to-day surroundings as a result of the ever-presence of mass production (a most necessary means of production to be sure!) From the types of fibers and stitches one chooses, to customizing a design to reflect the character of the person for whom the item is stitched, needlepoint offers stitchers many creative options to personalize their canvases resulting in unique heirlooms to pass on to the next generation.

       Thanks for looking.  What can I paint for you?
                 Melinda McAra