For every hand-embroidered creation, I use my trusty 'Kantan needle'. Its an ancient form of embroidery using a handheld needle with a moving 'arm'. Weirdly, I use my Kantan needle in the totally opposite way to which you're meant to - I come up to the fabric from below, rather than pushing the needle head into the fabric from above. I taught myself how to embroider using the needle, so I should be forgiven haha! The Kantan needle requires a huge amount of respect, as one wrong move can cause the sharp end to pierce through a weak point in the fabric, tearing a hole (I'd rather not talk about all of the almost-finished pieces that I've punctured, gulp!). Every stitch requires precision, following my fabric pen lines, and continuous tension in the thread (you can see this in the lovely pic below). 

P.A.D.S is a campaign set up to support local charities (Basis Yorkshire, Leeds Women's Aid and Women's Health Matters) and their work with local sex workers and women.

The PADS print tee (available here) donates 30% of profits to the P.A.D.S campaign, and sales so far have totalled £32 in donations!! Thanks to all of those who have purchased the tee, making a small but important difference. It feels so bloody (pun? oops) good to be able to rock nakedness and know that its having a tangible effect on actual women, as well as your own sense of empowerment. 

The PADS print tee design was one that I pulled from my sketchbook while playing around with tattoo ideas - the PADS designs usually feature a confident pop of red colour, so the kimono felt like the perfect way to link the design to the iconic PADS colours...and I couldn't resist some cheeky red nipples. 

PADS Print Tee - £16.99 with 30% of profits going to PADS. 

Congrats to Laura Scott for winning the free December Tote bag!

If you have already entered, don't worry you will be entered every month! If you would like to enter just input your name and email into our pop up to be entered every month.

This Wednesday my GF (she's the one behind the print tees, turning my sketches into colourful digital versions of themselves!) and I went on a #datenight with an ex sex worker...obviously. 

The headline act for the evening was the brutally honest, and hugely inspiring Miranda Kane: "everything you've heard is true. Yes, I used to be a Sex Worker - phone sex, webcamming, escort and Dominatrix, I've done it all...and I'm happy to tell you all about it!". Performing her 'Coin Operated Girl' stand-up routine, Miranda had us all buckled over in disbelief and laughter as she recounted tales of clients and her journey through the ups and downs of sex work. Miranda educated and enlightened a whole room, with her infectious energy and shed light on issues surrounding sex work that is often taboo - highlighting the ideal model for sex workers...decriminalisation of sex work. Women need the opportunity to work together, form unions, feel safe and the means to work alongside police. 

The evening was in support of the incredible work of Basis Yorkshire (our PADS tee donations go to this charity), who are the much needed outreach team for sex workers in Leeds. 

Event: hosted by Lolshevism - A socialist feminist comedy club and Hyde Park Book Club (Leeds)

Took a lil break from embroidering and sat down with my paint brush. These girlies are 100% natural - untamed pubes, beautiful body rolls, nipples exposed...

​Love.