Jennifer Cardenas Riggs is a graphic designer and textile artist known on Instagram as @Threadhoney. She began stitching in 2014, blending her knowledge in visual arts with a modern aesthetic to create embroidery that speaks to the millennial generation.

How did you get into embroidery?

My grandma taught me how to embroider when I was about eight years old. It wasn’t really love at first sight, I didn’t continue to embroider and actually forgot all about it until I was studying a visual arts minor in college. It was then that I realized I could come back to the craft of embroidery, this time putting my own spin on it.

Do you have a background in design?

I’ve always been interested in design. In college I majored in multimedia journalism and did a minor in visual arts. I used those two skills to work as a graphic designer for a couple different newspapers and magazines, and then I got into freelance graphic design work. I use my background in graphic design to create all of my own patterns. I currently work as a graphic designer but Thread Honey will be my full time job by the end of the year! I’m really excited to have more time to devote to it and can’t wait to see it grow and evolve.

What are some of your favourite stitches?

Back stitch is very “embroidery 101” but it’s my go-to stitch to use! Other than that I love the chain stitch, star stitch Algerian eye stitch.

Are there any stitches you’re keen on learning?

In my embroidery work I find that I’m more drawn to the artwork design as opposed to the stitch technique. So as long as I can emote feelings in my artwork I’m not worried about using super complicated stitches. I did recently learn the herringbone ladder stitch and it was love at first stitch!

Where do you get your materials and threads from?

Jo-Ann Fabrics, Michael’s, Consumer Crafts, Dandelyne, vintage stores, Etsy, the list is really long! I love experimenting with embroidery on a lot of different materials like shoes, berets and lampshades so I always have my eyes peeled for new materials to stitch on.

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

I find a lot of inspiration from my day-to-day living through music, books, yoga, movies and things of that nature. A design idea will usually stem from something specific like a quote or colour scheme that I can’t get out of my head. In the case of a quote or music lyric, I’ll often think about what it means to me, what it makes me feel and how I can use a visual interpretation to bring that feeling to life. While my designs are not often usually ornate or complex, I hope that they always make the viewer feel something.

Are you overwhelmed with designs and ideas or does it take time to find new embroideries to stitch?

I’m always working on at least five projects at a time. I wish I had more time to stitch because there are so many ideas in my head that I want to bring to life. I also have a really bad habit of starting a project then putting it down for months (or even years) and then picking it back up and finishing it later.

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

In my case I’ve found that the pros of Instagram far outweigh the cons. Even though I’ve had art stolen and copied, it is still a great platform to share your artwork with the world and I’ve met so many talented embroidery artists and friends through the app. 

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

That’s a pressure I felt really strongly a couple of years ago. I was so concerned about creating art that other people would like that it wasn’t fun anymore. I found myself avoiding creating new designs because I was crippled with self-doubt and anxiety of other people not responding well to it. It was then that I realized that embroidery wasn’t very much fun anymore and I had to actively take myself out of that mindset. I decided to create pieces for myself that I liked and I believed in and didn’t worry about what other people thought of it. I also stopped doing custom embroidery work which was a big relief on me because I had more time to devote to my own personal brand of artwork.

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

I’ve actually found that what I like and what other people like are usually the same thing! I think that if you’re true to yourself that authenticity will resonate with others and they’ll respond to it positively.

What do you love about embroidery?

I love that it’s a craft that has been around for thousands of years but that it’s still constantly evolving. I love that there is always a way to tailor it to your own tastes so that it becomes a form of personal expression. I love that it’s therapeutic and the sound of a needle coming through the fabric. I love that it’s an excuse to watch Netflix or listen to podcasts for hours on end. Haha, I can go on and on…

Jennifer’s first book, Embroidery Now is set to be released on October 29, and is available now to pre-order!