CLAIRE RITCHIE

ARTIST + TEXTILE DESIGNER

My artwork is generally very clean and simple, so I was excited to see how that would translate into a Christmas stocking. I knew straight away I wanted to have a flower there – I could picture it bending around the curve, and liked the challenge of making it work on an unusual shape. I absolutely love this pink and red colour combo – I spent a few years of my life really disliking the colour pink, so it’s popping up in my work everywhere to make up for lost time! I added the pom pom detail for a little hint of fun and texture. Don’t you just want to reach out and touch it? (Though getting the right plumpness is a real art!) The stocking itself is an organic cotton canvas I sewed up with my trusty Singer and painted with water-based printing ink. Usually I have a mix of handmade and collected Christmas decorations, which are all quite untraditional as far as decorations go. Lots of bright colours, some I’ve picked up at op shops, and some beautiful hand-painted baubles found at little crafty shops. Every few years I make new pieces with the kids, because they make delightful memories. As for presents, I love the little handmade gifts the kids bring home – they’re so sweet to find tucked into a stocking or hanging from the tree. Though if somebody wants to fill my stocking entirely with chocolate, I won’t complain!