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[IMAGINE SOME KIND OF KNOCK-YOUR-SOCKS-OFF IMAGE HERE]
Isn’t children’s art glorious? Don’t you just love the sureness of it, the exuberance, the complete unselfconsciousness? The way nothing quite matches and yet it all hangs together?
I feel so much glee when I see those lovely, confident lines (or brushstrokes) dancing across the page. The googly eyes, the manic grins! The wonky windows! The implausible creatures!
To summarise: it’s great.
I suspect I’m not alone in feeling this way. So I’ve decided to combine this joy with another of my interests throbbing passions – embroidery – and launch a new venture. (She said nonchalantly.)
If you’re a regular String Revolution reader, you’ve probably guessed what’s coming next.
It started last summer with the Oyster’s dragon (which I still think is a million kinds of fabulous). I was itching to do some embroidery, but none of the patterns I could find really grabbed me, and I didn’t particularly feel like drawing my own. Then one day I caught sight of the Oyster’s pencil drawing of a dragon, and something clicked.
I knew I’d enjoy this project, but I really wasn’t expecting it to be such a powerful emotional experience. Maybe it’s something about honouring my son’s art as art? Something about me, an adult, taking my lead from him, a young child?
Enough to say, it was pretty special. Special enough that I began to say to myself … and some of you joined in … that there might be something there that I could share with like-minded people.
And so, without further ado [drum-roll, trumpet fanfare, fireworks and dancing llamas], my friends, I give you … Stitch My Kid’s Art!
(The clue’s in the name, right?)
The point, by the way, is to share the glee. (Also to help me maintain my food-and-shelter habit. But it’s mainly about the glee. The glee is important.) So I’ve come up with a range of ways for you to get in on the action.
Three Options
First, if you’re a DIY type (like me), you can buy my e-book. This is an XX-page, illustrated PDF, which you can download in a few minutes and in which you’ll find a detailed run-down on how to transform a child’s artwork into a beautiful piece of embroidery. The Stitch My Kid’s Art e-book comprises:
- an overview of the equipment you may need;
- advice on what kinds of picture work best;
- step-by-step instructions for transferring your design to fabric;
- a guide to suitable stitches and techniques;
- suggestions for finishing your piece.
Buy the Stitch My Kid’s Art e-book
Second, if you want to do the stitching yourself but would rather not go through the finicky set-up parts, you can order a customised kit. Here’s how this works:
[THIS ISN'T FULLY THOUGHT THROUGH YET - COMMENTS PARTICULARLY WELCOME!]
- Choose a picture (I’ve written some guidelines if you’re unsure about what kind of picture to choose);
- scan it or take a good digital photo (again, here are some guidelines);
- go to the kit order form, fill in your details, and upload your image file;
- you’ll hear from me within 48 hours, and I’ll tell you when I expect to send you the finished kit.
The standard kit includes:
- Your choice of white or cream Irish linen fabric, marked with your unique design;
- a full-colour, illustrated, customised booklet, which comprises:
- the sections on equipment, stitches, and techniques from the Stitch My Kid’s Art e-book;
- a list of the threads I suggest for your design;
- step-by-step instructions for stitching and finishing your unique project.
In addition, the deluxe kit includes the threads I’ve specified for your design, needles, a [SIZE?] wooden embroidery hoop, and the option to choose a different fabric.
Order a Stitch My Kid’s Art customised kit (You get to specify on the order form whether you’re going for the standard or the deluxe version.)
Last, simplest, and (for obvious reasons) most expensive, you can commission me to stitch the piece for you. I accept a limited number of these commissions each month, so if you think you might like to take that route, please go here and fill out my questionnaire. (Don’t worry, it’s been tested by an international team of fabulous people [KT: THAT'S YOU!] and pronounced officially non-scary. Furthermore, clicking on the link doesn’t commit you to anything – I promise!)
Visit (and maybe fill out) the non-scary questionnaire
Questions? I knew you would
How much?
OK, let’s take it from the top. The e-book costs US$00. That’s a forever price: if I update the book later, I’ll send you a link to download the improved version free of charge.
The standard kit, including white or cream Irish linen (marked with your unique design) and your customised booklet, costs US$00. The deluxe kit, which adds threads, needles, a hoop, and the option to choose a different fabric, costs US$00.
The commission price varies according to how large the picture will be, how complex the stitching will be, and how the piece will be finished. (Size, complexity, and finish are all up to you, by the way.) For comparison, a simple picture done mostly in outline stitches, framed in a 15cm/6″ wooden hoop, would cost US$00, while a 60cm/24″ square wall hanging with lots of filling stitches, appliqué, beading, and/or quilting would cost US$00. If you’re not sure which techniques or finish you might like, you can also state your budget and we’ll work back from there.
If I buy the deluxe kit, can I choose any kind of fabric?
The standard fabric for my kits is Irish linen in a pale colour (easy to trace onto with a light box).[ADD MORE DETAILS WHEN I KNOW THEM; TALK UP THE LINEN] If you’d like a different fabric, please say so in the order form. Most of the time, that won’t be a problem, but if the fabric you’re after is (a) significantly more expensive, (b) hard for me to get hold of, or (c) trickier to transfer a design to, I may charge you a supplement. Either way, there’s no harm in asking!
What if I buy the e-book and then realise that I don’t actually want to do all that finicky set-up work myself? Do I have to come back and pay full price for a kit?
No! If you buy the e-book, read it, realise (for whatever reason) that the DIY option isn’t for you, but still want to stitch that picture you love, no problem. Come back and buy an upgrade to the kit version for US$00 (standard) or US$00 (deluxe).
I don’t have kids / I don’t know any kids / I was never a kid myself / my kid doesn’t make art (yet) – but I still want a piece of the fabulousness! Can I buy your e-book and use it to stitch something other than a child’s picture?
Of course! And please consider sending me a photo when it’s done – I’d be ridiculously thrilled to see how people use the e-book.
What about the kit or commission options? Do they have to be children’s art?
For the kit option, I’m going to go with yes on this one – because the excitement I feel about children’s art, and my desire to honour it, are a big part of why I’m doing this.
For the commission option, well, let’s talk. I’m open to commissions in general, so if your idea makes my heart go ping! we may well have a deal.
Who owns the copyright? [KT: HELP? I HAVE ONLY THE BAREST CLUE HERE!]
It’s complicated!
Well, it’s not all complicated. Here’s the simple part: the Stitch My Kid’s Art e-book is copyright to me, Léan Ní Chuilleanáin.
In the case of a customised kit, the finished design and booklet are copyright to me. Morally, the child owns the copyright in the original artwork, but in most[ALL?] jurisdictions, that right is legally held by the child’s parents or guardians. Reproducing an artwork requires the copyright holder’s permission[I'M ASSUMING!], which is why you’re asked to click “Yes, I have permission to use this image” on the kit order form and the commission questionnaire.[OH, GOD, I HAVE NO IDEA WHERE I'M GOING WITH THIS. DO I NEED RELEASE FORMS, FFS? WHAT ABOUT WHERE YOU WANT TO SURPRISE SOMEONE WITH AN EMBROIDERY OF AN ARTWORK THEY OWN? IS THAT LEGALLY OK? HAYULP!]
In the case of a commission,[AGAIN, I'M AT SEA!] the artist (or their parents or guardians) owns the copyright in the original image, while the finished piece of embroidery is copyright to me.
[KT: WHAT QUESTIONS HAVE I LEFT OUT?]
Guarantee
I want you to be happy.
I mean that in general terms, of course, but specifically, I want you to have a happy – nay, joyful – experience with String Revolution and Stitch My Kid’s Art.
For the e-book and the kit, I’m offering the lovely Backwards and Forwards Guarantee as devised by Mark Silver. Here’s how that works: If you’re not satisfied, then (1) I pay you backwards – i.e. refund you the full price – and (2) you pay it forwards – i.e. pass your e-book or kit on to someone you think might like it.
Commissions are a little trickier. When we agree to work together, I ask you to pay US$00 up front. That’s non-refundable. The balance is due on delivery – provided you like the finished piece. If you’re not driven half mad with delight the moment you unwrap it, you send it back to me. [KT: WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS HERE? PRACTICALLY, I'M NOT ANTICIPATING THAT THIS WILL ARISE VERY OFTEN. LEGALLY, I SUSPECT I CAN'T SELL THE PIECE IF THE COPYRIGHT HOLDER OBJECTS. SO THAT MEANS KEEPING IT, DONATING IT, OR DESTROYING IT. ANY OTHER THOUGHTS? CAN I DISPLAY PHOTOS IN MY ONLINE GALLERY? I SUPPOSE I COULD GET PERMISSION BEFOREHAND TO DO WHATEVER SEEMS MOST APPEALING, BUT I WOULDN'T FEEL HAPPY DOING THAT WITH A CHILD'S ART, IF YOU SEE WHAT I MEAN...]
Once More With Feeling
So that’s it, in rather more than a nutshell. Stitch My Kid’s Art – like I said, the clue’s in the name.
Sound like your sort of thing? Great! Get clicking…
Buy the Stitch My Kid’s Art e-book
Order a Stitch My Kid’s Art customised kit
Visit (and maybe fill out) the non-scary questionnaire for commissioned pieces
PS: There is no PS. Is that bad?
OK, people, that’s a wrap.
*absently taps fingers on table*
*listens to the wind sighing in the trees*