Sundance Artisan Spotlight: Stephanie Housley
She continues, "The snow is starting to fall and reindeer are on the roof, Santa Bear and Ms. Claus are finally here! Looks like everyone made Santa’s nice list this year, their sleigh is brimming with packages and presents. Santa Bear jumps down the chimney with a special blue box in hand. Our Christmas pocket pillows add to your treasured Christmas traditions."
A fascination with home and habitat informs every design that Stephanie creates, from finding inspiration in how a bower bird builds his nest, to considering what keepsakes and furnishings we surround ourselves with in our own dwellings.
Every design begins as an original pencil drawing summoned from Stephanie's observations and imagination. She then re-draws each design stitch by stitch using specialized computer software. Once digitized, Stephanie's production partners in India machine embroider, cut, and sew each product. Her partners abroad embrace her company standards, maintaining quality working conditions with fair wages and benefits.
Stephanie's interest in homes and habitats extends to the bigger picture of our planet. Mindful of the environment, she primarily uses unbleached, natural linen for all of her products, avoiding the harsh chemicals found in fabric dyes. She strives to give back to organizations that support the planet and all its creatures, including the Natural Resources Defense Council, The Ocean Conservancy, ASPCA and many more.
The blend of exuberance and refinement now synonymous with the embroidery is the natural by-product of the hand-drawn process unique to Stephanie's company and the attention to detail at every step of production. Fine but not precious, Stephanie's artwork or accessory is sure to entertain daily and provide enjoyment for generations.
Stephanie’s genuine love for animals is apparent to anyone who spends time with her. At her home in Wyoming, you may find her on the porch, stopping to appreciate the sight of a passing deer or on a rarer occasion, quietly observing a perched owl. On her daily hikes, she rattles off the names of wildflowers or points to the exact spot she saw a sandhill crane or small fox just days before, casually mentioning an unknown fact about the animal’s habitat and range.
 |
| Stephanie's Studio. Photo by Will Ellis |
Stephanie's interest in homes and habitats extends to the bigger picture of our planet. Mindful of the environment, she primarily uses unbleached, natural linen for all of her products, avoiding the harsh chemicals found in fabric dyes. She strives to give back to organizations that support the planet and all its creatures, including the Natural Resources Defense Council, The Ocean Conservancy, ASPCA and many more.
The blend of exuberance and refinement now synonymous with the embroidery is the natural by-product of the hand-drawn process unique to Stephanie's company and the attention to detail at every step of production. Fine but not precious, Stephanie's artwork or accessory is sure to entertain daily and provide enjoyment for generations.
"Drawing is my passion. Embroidering these drawings makes them come to life," Stephanie says of her textiles.
 |
| Inside Stephanie's Studio. Photo by Will Ellis. |
Born and raised in the Ohio Valley, Stephanie comes from a long line of Appalachian women who could make something from nothing. Her great-grandmother made lace while her grandmother made dolls, each instilling Stephanie with a deep appreciation for self-expression through craft.
 |
| Steph working. Photo by Will Ellis |
Stephanie’s natural creative aptitude paired with her intense drive and focus, led her to study textile design at RISD as the first in her family to attend college. After graduating, Stephanie relocated to New York City, pursuing a career as a wovens textile designer. She worked for mills both domestically and abroad, designing for top interior fabric manufacturers. With fifteen years of industry experience under her belt, Stephanie began her company. Her creative process is a special alchemy of storytelling, illustration, and machine embroidery.
At the outset of designing a new collection, Stephanie looks to the natural world for inspiration. Growing up, she spent most of her time exploring outdoors, in creeks and forests near her childhood home, and on family trips to the Eastern seaboard. Wyoming became a favorite destination of Stephanie’s, visiting first as a child, and then in recent years with her husband Chris. The two felt a strong connection to the landscape and way of life found out West. In 2016 they moved from Brooklyn to Bondurant, WY with their dog Paco.
At the outset of designing a new collection, Stephanie looks to the natural world for inspiration. Growing up, she spent most of her time exploring outdoors, in creeks and forests near her childhood home, and on family trips to the Eastern seaboard. Wyoming became a favorite destination of Stephanie’s, visiting first as a child, and then in recent years with her husband Chris. The two felt a strong connection to the landscape and way of life found out West. In 2016 they moved from Brooklyn to Bondurant, WY with their dog Paco.
Stephanie’s genuine love for animals is apparent to anyone who spends time with her. At her home in Wyoming, you may find her on the porch, stopping to appreciate the sight of a passing deer or on a rarer occasion, quietly observing a perched owl. On her daily hikes, she rattles off the names of wildflowers or points to the exact spot she saw a sandhill crane or small fox just days before, casually mentioning an unknown fact about the animal’s habitat and range.
0 comments