NeedleXChange

In this episode of NeedleXChange I interview Iskren Lozanov.
Iskren Lozanov is an embroidery artist living in Ibiza, originally from Bulgaria. He came third in the 3d Textiles category of The 2025 Mr X Stitch Contemporary Needlework Prize and 2nd in the Open Textile Art category in the 2024 Hand & Lock Prize.
We talk about language and identity, Ibiza as a place to make work, and how Iskren Lozanov’s practice moved from fashion into embroidery and sculptural pieces like “Rebirth” and “Veil of Transcendence”, including the research, planning, and labour behind them.
Timestamps:
00:00:00 – Introduction
00:01:20 - Growing up in Bulgaria and cultural influences
00:05:42 - Moving to Ibiza and what draws him to the island
00:08:56 - Lozanov’s artistic journey from fashion to sculpture and embroidery
00:11:55 - Primitiveness and beauty in Lozanov’s work, blending ancient symbols with contemporary techniques
00:18:27 - The 'Veil of Transcendence' and exploring cultural afterlife symbols
00:23:05 - His experience in art competitions and building confidence
00:24:59 - Navigating social media and creating sustainable art practices
00:34:26 - The impact of learning and personal beliefs on his views of the afterlife
00:37:46 - Techniques inspired by Orthodox and Catholic iconography
Links:
Instagram: iskrenlozano
Website: iskrenlozanov.com
Intro music is Cyber Bazaar by HATAMITSUNAMI via Epidemic Sound.
About NeedleXChange
An artist interview podcast exploring contemporary embroidery and textile art. Hosted by Jamie "Mr X Stitch" Chalmers.
Support on Patreon
Join the Green Room for weekly aftershows, monthly Q&As, and searchable transcripts.
Become an Executive Producer to join quarterly roundtables and shape the show's future.
patreon.com/c/xstitch/membership
Stay Connected
needl.exchange | Newsletter: bit.ly/NeedleXChangeNews
mrxstitch.com | xstitchmag.com
Social: Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | YouTube | LinkedIn

In this episode of NeedleXChange I interview Katarina Orolinov.
Katarina is a Slovakian contemporary embroidery and textile art artist known for laser-cut perspex panels built from lace and geometric pattern logic.
Katarina shares early making (drawing, sewing, textiles clubs) and a schooling route that builds serious technical range (embroidery, bobbin lace, weaving). We dig into heritage vs experimentation, studio life, what plays in the background while stitching, and the closing line: the dream upgrade is a laser cutting machine.
Timestamps:
00:00:00 – The origin story: drawing, sewing, and deciding on art early
00:01:25 – Learning the fundamentals: embroidery, lace, weaving (the whole toolbox)
00:03:50 – Choosing your path young: how the Slovak system works
00:09:00 – Getting into art university: tests, live models, and creative tasks
00:13:00 – Heritage, but make it future: what belongs in the work (and what doesn’t)
00:19:00 – Studio life: making for work, making for fun
00:20:10 – What’s on in the background while stitching
00:27:50 – Books and blackwork (Jane Goodwin)
00:32:20 – A personal note: summers with Katarina’s grandmother in a foster-care community
00:35:25 – The closer: “I don’t want that ring. I want a laser cutting machine.”
Links:
Instagram: katarina_orolinova_art
Intro music is Below Horizon by Luwaks via Epidemic Sound.
About NeedleXChange
An artist interview podcast exploring contemporary embroidery and textile art. Hosted by Jamie "Mr X Stitch" Chalmers.
Support on Patreon
Join the Green Room for weekly aftershows, monthly Q&As, and searchable transcripts.
Become an Executive Producer to join quarterly roundtables and shape the show's future.
patreon.com/c/xstitch/membership
Stay Connected
needl.exchange | Newsletter: bit.ly/NeedleXChangeNews
mrxstitch.com | xstitchmag.com
Social: Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | YouTube | LinkedIn

In this episode of NeedleXChange I interview Katarina Orolinov.
Katarina is a Slovakian contemporary embroidery and textile art artist known for laser-cut perspex panels built from lace and geometric pattern logic.
Katarina traces the work from a bobbin‑lace brief into bitmap squares, then laser cutting/engraving perspex and stitching into it. We talk architecture as a pattern engine (glass blocks, safety glass, reflection), and the practical reality of scale: thousands of holes, modular panels, and machine‑bed limits.
Timestamps:
00:00:00 – “Come to the perspex…”: lace meets laser cutting
00:02:55 – Finding patterns in glass blocks and safety glass
00:04:31 – Reflection, infinity, and letting structure do the talking
00:06:10 – Close your eyes: what the work feels like in space
00:14:45 – The jump from small pieces to a wall
00:15:52 – 2000 holes: laser cut, but every hole placed by hand (digitally)
00:18:09 – Building it as 22 panels (and why that matters)
00:21:38 – The hard limits: machine beds and human arms
00:26:13 – One pattern, many techniques: knitting/weaving/needlepoint logic
Links:
Instagram: katarina_orolinova_art
Intro music is Below Horizon by Luwaks via Epidemic Sound.
About NeedleXChange
An artist interview podcast exploring contemporary embroidery and textile art. Hosted by Jamie "Mr X Stitch" Chalmers.
Support on Patreon
Join the Green Room for weekly aftershows, monthly Q&As, and searchable transcripts.
Become an Executive Producer to join quarterly roundtables and shape the show's future.
patreon.com/c/xstitch/membership
Stay Connected
needl.exchange | Newsletter: bit.ly/NeedleXChangeNews
mrxstitch.com | xstitchmag.com
Social: Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | YouTube | LinkedIn

In this episode of NeedleXChange I interview Charlie Reeder aka Stitchsperation.
Charlie is a cross stitch designer with an unashamedly joyful aesthetic.
In this first part of our NeedleXChange, we talk imposter syndrome, naming the inner critic (“Brenda”), and how stitching can be a safe, meditative place to build confidence.
Charlie shares ideas around stitched affirmations and repetition, plus the beginnings of Stitchsperation: bold typographic work, painted backgrounds, and designing what they couldn’t find.
Timestamps:
00:00:00 - Introduction
00:01:30 - Art vs craft vs design (and getting put in boxes)
00:05:33 - What Charlie actually likes: clean lines, bright colour, CMYK
00:10:20 - The “very Charlie” look (home, colour palette, recognisable style)
00:13:43 - Brand boundaries + the “teddy bear in an igloo” problem
00:17:30 - Losing the mojo, then finding it again (and managing overwhelm)
00:24:30 - Quick-fire culture picks: books, films/TV, music
00:35:20 - Plot twist: pole dancing is the other happy place
00:38:45 - Injury, depression, and realising what matters
Links:
Website: stitchsperation.com
Instagram: stitchsperation
Intro music is Easy Breezy by Boogie Wheel via Epidemic Sound.
About NeedleXChange
An artist interview podcast exploring contemporary embroidery and textile art. Hosted by Jamie "Mr X Stitch" Chalmers.
Support on Patreon
Join the Green Room for weekly aftershows, monthly Q&As, and searchable transcripts.
Become an Executive Producer to join quarterly roundtables and shape the show's future.
patreon.com/c/xstitch/membership
Stay Connected
needl.exchange | Newsletter: bit.ly/NeedleXChangeNews
mrxstitch.com | xstitchmag.com
Social: Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | YouTube | LinkedIn

In this episode of NeedleXChange I interview Charlie Reeder aka Stitchsperation.
Charlie is a cross stitch designer with an unashamedly joyful aesthetic.
In this first part of our NeedleXChange, we talk imposter syndrome, naming the inner critic (“Brenda”), and how stitching can be a safe, meditative place to build confidence.
Charlie shares ideas around stitched affirmations and repetition, plus the beginnings of Stitchsperation: bold typographic work, painted backgrounds, and designing what they couldn’t find.
Timestamps:
00:00:00 - Introduction
00:02:47 - Imposter syndrome and “Brenda” (naming the inner critic)
00:06:07 - Stitching affirmations (repetition as reprogramming)
00:10:28 - Back from Canada, broke, and making a Sweden wedding gift
00:12:00 - Painting the fabric, then stitching the words
00:14:42 - Aesthetic in one phrase: “Typographic bright shit?”
00:15:41 - Positivity without going “toxic”
00:17:25 - Cross stitch as TV-time sanity (not doom scrolling)
Links:
Website: stitchsperation.com
Instagram: stitchsperation
Intro music is Easy Breezy by Boogie Wheel via Epidemic Sound.
About NeedleXChange
An artist interview podcast exploring contemporary embroidery and textile art. Hosted by Jamie "Mr X Stitch" Chalmers.
Support on Patreon
Join the Green Room for weekly aftershows, monthly Q&As, and searchable transcripts.
Become an Executive Producer to join quarterly roundtables and shape the show's future.
patreon.com/c/xstitch/membership
Stay Connected
needl.exchange | Newsletter: bit.ly/NeedleXChangeNews
mrxstitch.com | xstitchmag.com
Social: Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | YouTube | LinkedIn