TW Designworks Going Out of Business!

That's sad news, she has been around for a long time. Hopefully it is partly that she feels she wants time off, rather than business difficulties.

She announced her retirement awhile ago. (I am working on magical nights.) Her designs are wonderful. And I also like to collect charts and search for out of the way shops. Ebay is a funny thing. One time something could go for

From her message, it sounds like it's purely economic. I hope though, that even though her private label is no more, that somehow perhaps she will still submit designs to magazines every once in awhile. No designer has inspired me more to push my boundaries to try a new technique or stitch, and it is through stitching her pieces that I grew and developed both in ability and in confidence as a stitcher. It was that technical challenge that drew me to her work in the first place as fantasy designs really aren't necessarily my decorating taste.

Jinx

That's too bad. I've always admired her works even if I was not called to stitch them. Mind you, I actually have a few in stash - a couple of her freebies and the tea one.

Now, as what you're going to do next. Have you looked at Martina Weber's stuff? Heaven and Earth? Or some of Kustom Krafts pieces? There is another European designer I've seen that has a similar style to TW (other than MW) but I'm not finding her (him?) right now. Cheryl

I liked her miniature ornaments and non-fantasy stuff the best. I think tops on the list is the fruit bell pull, which I'm only half way finished with. I certainly have plenty of them to keep me occupied for quite a long while. I like stitching art reproductions but quality charts are prohibitively expensive. I've bought a time or two from Heaven and Earth and they're a "local" company (MN) so I pay attention to what's new with their designs. I haven't really checked out Martina Weber's stuff, so I might have to browse around the net later today and check her out. A lot of Kustom Krafts stuff does not appeal to me at all. I've noticed the last couple times the Nordic Needle catalog has arrived (I also consider "local") that my eyes seem drawn to The Victoria Sampler and The Drawn Thread designs. I may have to switch to stitching samplers!

Jinx

Hmmm - someplace I bought a fruit wreath - Della Robbia style. In fact when I saw the fruit pull, I thought it might be the same designer. My mother received the wreath - about 18 years ago when she was in rehab after an accident. She couldn't walk while the hip healed, but she sure could stitch. I'd bet she still has the chart...

In both Heaven and Earth and KK, I don't care for 90% of the designs, but every so often there is one that really appeals.

I am frequently drawn to them as well.

Cheryl

If you're thinking samplers, Emie Bishop has some interesting pieces. I nearly did her Unfinished Sampler, very well named, I have about an hours work left to do on it lol

I love her designs thats sad- I actually bought one at Michael's eons ago for their outrageous price. On my CCS group on Yahoo its been said that Michael's is phasing out all cross stitch charts and kits.

Having worked there - it is more what the regional managers think will sell. Yarn seems to be big locally... C

It looks that way here too. Very small, very limited stock in needlework and yarn has taken over.

That is sad. But, perhaps she has just hit the "need a change, tired of this" phase. Her publishing has switched a few times in the last 15 years, from just being her own, then the Leisure Arts, and then her own. So, I don't know if she sold off rights to some of her earlier designs, and now has just decided to take a break. Certainly her things are quite unique, especially years ago with all the thread tweeding, which now is an effect that many emulate using the overdyed threads.

Well, while sad, perhaps she'll pop up again. Or you may find some other designers, even if not trendy, that meet your fancy. Have you looked at the Heaven and Earth Designs site thoroughly - they have quite a selection in fantasy type of art work, and you can get their charts with the background not needing to be stitched for some minor fee.

Good idea for a new thread.

Ellice

If you like her little things the best, the non-fantasy, there are actually a good amount of designers out there doing work that might appeal to you. Take a look through the sampler world - Rosewood Manor, Victoria's Sampler, even some of the Carriage House - though those are likely too primitive for your taste. I'm having a brain burp, but thinking of some others whose charts and covers I clearly envision but cannot remember their full name. Eventually I'll think of it, and post some other links.

Ellice