www.CarolynDesigns.biz

And now, the interview...

Q: Before we start with the interview, please tell us a little about yourself. Are you single? Married? Children? Where do you live and do you best remember Sinatra, Elvis, The Beatles,

U2 or Ricky Martin?

A: I have been married to Chuck (my best buddy) for 40+ years. We have 3 grown sons and 3 grandsons. We live in Kenosha, Wis. I have never been interested in popular music, so don't really remember a lot about any of them, but Elvis was "the" performer to some people when I was younger.

Q: When did you first get started in machine embroidery and why?

A: I got my first new Embroidery machine in 1996. I also got the "PE-Scan scanner" so I could scan my drawings into it and assign stitches, etc. It was SO limiting! Seems so crude compared to having digitizing software that I got at a later date.

Q: When did you decide to learn digitizing and why?

A: I wanted to create my own designs right from the start, so when Brother released PeDesign ver1, I got it and never used the Pe-Scan unit again. I did not even know how to use a computer at the time, and my dear hubby was very patient with teaching me the computer and helping me to understand what the book that came with the software was talking about. It was really difficult for me. (I am NOT a "computer person") I had been painting and selling my watercolor paintings for over 20 years, but digitizing was a whole new thing to me.

Q: What software did you start digitizing with and what software are you using now?

A: I started with Brother's PeDesign, and still prefer it over all my other softwares. It allows me a lot of creativity with it's manual punch tools, and produces a quality stitch. From time to time, I try other softwares, but then feel "limited" by them, and so the other softwares don't get much use.

Q: Who are some of the digitizers that you learned from along the way? Are there any whose work you admire?

A: I had one manual punch tool that I could not always remember how to use when I was beginning to use those tools. I bought a book by Linda Dreyer to try to get better understanding about that tool. (The block punch tool) The block punch tool remains one of my most favorite tools for getting the stitches to lay the way that I prefer for many areas.  I have many digitizers that I enjoy. To mention only a few: Nita OKeefe, Sherry Titzer, Lyn Christian, Aunty M, Allene Snow, Betsy Phillips, Carol Bauer, Carol Hoak, Dawn Wenner, Marilyn Brandon, Stephanie Potts, Mary Sue Dozeman, Faye Burden, Vicki Key, Teri Sullivan, Marion Ecker, Gwen Williams, Missy Phillips, Lyndsay Boulton, plus many others.

I miss Betty Cauthen and her lovely work.

Q: What inspired you to turn "Pro" or was that your plan from the start?

A: My hubby started a web-site in 1997, and we gave all my designs away on the site until about 2000, when I realized that I needed to sell designs to be able to keep up with the software upgrades, supplies, and to have a new machine that would sew a larger field.  My hubby and the local sewing store owner encouraged me to turn "pro".

Q: Where do you sell your designs today? Do you have a website of your own or do you sell from a mall?

A: My hubby does our own site. (I am clueless about web-site stuff) Even though it is difficult for him to find the time for it in addition to his job and other responsabilities, he never complains and updates things as best he can. I really like personally sending out the design orders and putting a short personal note in each message when I send the order out.

Q: What do you think are the most significant trends you have seen lately in embroidery?

A: I don't really know what the trends are most of the time. I suppose the only "trend" that I see is that more people are having embroidery machines, and learning to be more creative with them. A lot of things seem to go in cycles.....here today, gone tomorrow, back again later.

Q: Where do you see machine embroidery going in the future?

A: I have always done designs that please my creative desires, and that I find interesting to create. If other people find these designs appealing too, then it is a blessing and a joy.  I am not "big business", but am a personal design creator, which is the way I prefer it.

Q: What advice would you give to a beginner that is just starting their career as a digitizer?

A: Hone your skills to create a top quality design that not only incorporates the look you want, but to understand how underlayment and pathing are an intregral part of a good design. Take the time to make the design the best it can be before putting it "out there".  Keep the work more of an art form than a "cut and dried" business, and your work will show it.

Q: Is there anything I forgot to ask you that I should be asking about?

A: What gives the most satisfaction........creating designs or using them? About 5 years ago, I realized that I much preferred to create the designs than sewing them out, although seeing a new design sew out for the first time can be really great. Digitizing fulfills the part of myself that really misses painting the watercolor paintings that had become a bit too physically painful to continue to do some years ago. Thank goodness for computers and digitizing software! Creating the artwork, and then digitizing it, is a wonderful part of my life now. It is what makes me want to start my day! The satisfaction of hearing from someone about how much they have enjoyed using one of my designs (whether it is a "freebie" or was a purchased one), is a real highlight!

You can buy Carolyn's designs at...  

http://www.CarolynDesigns.biz