Ana Clara Piccolo is an embroidery artist from Brazil currently living in Stuttgart, Germany.

How did you get into embroidery?

In 2016 I moved to Germany with my husband and couldn’t speak the language so I took lessons. I decided in that year I wanted to learn something new – besides German (which was difficult). I wanted to learn how to embroider as a hobby, to pass the time and reconnect with myself in this new place, which became my home. I used to flirt with embroidery photos at Instagram, I thought everything was so beautiful and poetic so I bought the basic materials (fabric, a hoop, a needle and 3 skeins – one blue, one yellow and one green) and watched tutorials on YouTube to learn some stitches. That’s when I came across a YouTube channel called “Clube do Bordado”. I watched ALL the videos and learned how to embroider with them. 

Do you have a background in design?

I’ve always liked handcraft work, I guess mostly influenced by my family – we have a history of creative people, from seamstresses, cooks, craftsmen, painters all the way to woodworkers. I guess being exposed to different types of handmade work drove me subconsciously into my graduation in Visual Arts, back in Brazil. After graduation, alongside with two friends, we created an artist collective called ”Coletivo Laborativo”. Together we developed projects and actions of art and urban occupation. Still in Brazil I also worked at the Art and Culture Department of an University and my job was to organise art exhibitions and cultural events. So, in one way or another, I’ve been always involved in this artistic universe.

What are some of your favourite stitches?

It’s very hard to choose because it depends on the project and sometimes on my mood but if I have to choose I would say: chain stitch, split stitch, stem stitch and some painting needle – it has a special place in my heart.

Are there any stitches you’re keen on learning?

I’d like to learn the bullion knots. I don’t know if I’d apply it much in my embroidery but I’d like to have the pleasure of saying “yes I can do a bullion knot”.  Oh! And I’d love to try a punch needle! 

Where do you get your materials and threads from?

All kinds of places, both online and in local stores. If I see any embroidery material in a shop window I always go inside to take a look. At the moment I’m buying hoops on Amazon. For the fabrics and threads I always like to go to some craft stores in my city because I like to hold the fabrics in my hand and feel the texture. As for thread I usually use Anchor or Rico Design since these are the most common to find in craft stores in my area. When I travel somewhere I usually buy some DMC threads too.

How do you start a new piece of work, what’s your design process?

My work consists mainly in original creations and custom orders. For the custom orders I develop designs based on customers requests. My creative process starts with the story the client tells me, his/her wishes and preferences, etc. I collect all this information and from there I create the design for the embroidery. For my original creations it works differently because it always starts with my inspirations. Things that I am attached or fond of. There’s always the “phase of something. I have already passed through the monochromatic phase, plant phase… and at the moment I am into anatomical hearts. And those phases come and go and sometimes they mix. It is a delicious craziness that ends up reflecting on my work. For drawing I usually go with Photoshop or hand made sketches and sometimes mix the two techniques.

Do you embroider for fun or is it a full time job?

I’ve decided to take it more seriously and turned my hobby into my full time job.

How do you find using Instagram? Do you ever worry your work will be copied? 

I really like using Instagram. I’m sure it helps me a lot in spreading the word about my work. It’s through Instagram that I can reach people all over the world. I’m in connection with artists, creatives and handmade embroidery admirers from all over the world with whom I can always exchange experiences with. I am very happy to be part of this beautiful embroidery community. Regarding copying, sometimes it is annoying to think or even find my work being improperly used without my knowledge. I try not to get too stressed. I rather focus on taking the steps that are possible to solve the problem and that’s it. The embroidery community on Instagram is very united and we always support each other in these situations. I think it is always important to enforce and clarify that copying is not cool. 

Do you ever feel nervous or anxious your followers won’t like your work?

I’m a little anxious to know how people will feel about a new work I post on social media. But I’ve never been anxious in a negative way, just curious to know whether they’ll like it or not. In fact every job has its individuality, just as people have their individual tastes, so I’m aware that some people are going to like a certain piece more than others and that’s okay.  This way I get to know and connect with my followers who I believe are there because they like or have liked something I did. I just keep putting a lot of love into everything I do.

Do you ever feel pressured to post images that you know will get lots of likes instead of simply posting what you like?

I don’t think I’ve ever felt pressured. I really just post images that I like. Actually my Instagram is made only with images of my work and I always do everything with a lot of love and affection so I believe this ends up reflecting in the pictures. I also think that my background as a visual artist has helped me to have more confidence in my aesthetic sense when shooting pictures. The idea of being on Instagram is primarily to share my work and to be in contact with the craft community. The end result of this exposure are the sales which support my business. And so far it has worked even if sometimes the posts don’t have a high engagement. Others have and so life goes on and my network is always expanding.

What do you love about embroidery?

I’m very passionate about hand embroidery. It has captivated me since the first time I passed the needle with the thread through the fabric to create my first embroidery. I find it magical to create unique and special pieces with my own hands. Even if I embroider the same design 10 times, each time it will be different. It was made by me, at different time of my life and it will always have a something that will make that piece one of a kind. I always say that my main goal is to touch people’s heart through my work and eventually put a smile on their faces.

Follow Ana here.