From childhood hobby to creative survival

It’s been ten years since I left Hungary. Since then, I’ve lived in Malta, the US, and now Austria. Each place brought new challenges and faces but one thing stayed with me: the desire to create.

I used to work as a makeup artist, a job I loved and practiced across continents but one day, almost all my makeup gear was stolen. I never truly went back to it, even though requests still come. Slowly, life led me to work with children, first in Malta, now in Austria. I mostly teach English, but I always bring in creative expression. Then one day, I got an old embroidery set from my grandmother and that’s when, thanks to these influences, my desire for creation started to get regular again.

At first, I bought pre-made kits just to see if I could still do it. I picked it up, put it down. I was too busy with everyday stories and the starting over in a new country.

As time passed, I found a world that was colorful, honest, critical, and full of care and in that space, no matter what was happening around me, I could make something. I wanted to stitch through it. No matter what was happening around me, I could make something.

That time also brought me to meditation, movement, and better eating habits. I'm not saying that I always do everything this way.

But it’s always better to be well. I tried to make it up for the lost years and I’ve realized I’m much more drawn to creating than to destroying.

Moreover, the foundation for this was laid long ago. There’s a deep, multi-generational creative energy in Budapest, and alongside it, a strong alternative undercurrent. It's hard to avoid. I’ve been lucky to be surrounded by kind, inspiring people, and wherever I turn, I feel this spirit in motion.

Every piece we make carries a story. Through them, we share our own.

To thank you for supporting my work, every order now comes with a downloadable embroidery pattern until October (PDF).

The file is sent automatically after every Etsy order.

Got questions? Just drop me a message!

Take care and thank you for being here,

Ivett

(If you know who made the above artworks, please come forward!)