Ever been on a long flight and stumbled upon a passion that would redefine your life? That’s exactly what happened to our guest, Jamie Chalmers, also known as MrXStitch. He discovered the craft of cross-stitching mid-flight, finding it meditative and calming. He turned his craft into a career, becoming a celebrated figure in the world of needlework. His unique, tangible designs offer an alternative to the fleeting nature of social media scrolling, proving that crafting can bring immense satisfaction and joy.
Cross stitching is often stereotyped as an ‘old lady’ hobby, but Jamie, the tattooed ‘gangster of cross stitching’, is here to challenge those assumptions. He’s not just about breaking the mold, Jamie is also about promoting and expanding this art form, and he’s doing it in his own unique way. He even dabbled in playing Santa Claus, overcoming his initial discomfort to spread holiday magic. His story is about stepping out of your comfort zone and finding joy in the unexpected.
Jamie’s journey didn’t just involve a shift in craft, but a shift in his career path entirely. He left his corporate job to pursue his passion, finding success in the creative industry. His story is a testament to the fact that ‘enough’ money varies for each individual. The episode wouldn’t be complete without adding a touch of humor, as we test Jamie’s movie trivia knowledge, making for an entertaining end to our chat. We wrap up the episode by emphasizing the importance of play, encouraging everyone to explore new hobbies and activities. So, sit back and enjoy this exciting journey of creativity, humor, and play with MrXStitch.
Find Jamie @MrXStitch on Instagram or https://xstitchmag.com/
(00:18) Becoming Mr X Stitch
This chapter explores the world of Cross Stitch with guest Jamie Chalmers, also known as Mr. X Stitch. Jamie shares how he stumbled upon this craft while on a long flight and fell in love with its meditative and relaxing qualities. He also discusses his journey of becoming a craft celebrity and the unique designs he creates. We also touch on the satisfaction of creating something tangible and meaningful through crafting, compared to the fleeting nature of scrolling through social media. Overall, this chapter delves into the joy and fulfillment that can be found in the art of Cross Stitch.
(07:59) Benefits of Gangster Cross Stitching
This chapter explores the world of cross stitching and challenges the stereotype that it is a hobby for old ladies. Our guest, a male cross stitcher with tattoos, showcases the modern and exciting side of needlework through his unique persona. He shares his experiences of using his “gangster” image to spark interest in cross stitching and promote the art form to a wider audience. We discuss the benefits of embracing one’s passions and standing out in a crowd. Our guest also talks about his involvement in curating textile art and promoting various forms of needlework. Overall, this chapter highlights the importance of breaking stereotypes and promoting creativity in all forms.
(11:10) Challenging Gender Stereotypes in Cross Stitch
This chapter explores the topic of cross stitching and its societal stereotypes. The host, a man who enjoys cross stitching, shares his experience of challenging gender norms in the art world. He encourages listeners to break stereotypes and embrace their passions, whether it be cross stitching or any other hobby. The guest, a cross stitch magazine editor, also shares her experiences of breaking stereotypes and encourages people to try new things. They discuss the versatility of cross stitching as an art form and its overlap with pixel art and retro video game styles. The chapter concludes with the importance of play and making time for activities that bring joy.
(20:43) The Profound Magic of Playing Santa
This chapter explores the inner conflict that arises for Jamie Chalmers as he takes on the role of Santa. Jamie initially feels uncomfortable with the idea of marketing himself as Santa and being seen as “too cool” for the role. However, he eventually finds joy in bringing moments of magic and joy to families during the holiday season. Jamie also shares his experience of using alter egos, like his persona Mr X Stitch, to fully embrace the role of Santa and let go of his own identity. He reflects on the profound impact of providing a brief escape from reality for people and the honor and pressure that comes with being Santa.
(29:15) Layered Career, Financial Freedom
This chapter explores the journey of a cross-stitch designer who left his corporate job to pursue his passion in the creative industry. We delve into the different layers of his business, including ad revenue, subscriptions, and workshops, and how they have allowed him to have a good quality of life while supporting his family. We also discuss the concept of “enough” money and how it varies for each individual.
The conversation takes an entertaining turn as we test the guest’s knowledge of movie trivia, with the top answers for Brad Pitt movies, actors who have played Spider-Man, and actresses known for being redheads.
Don’t miss this opportunity to dive into the world of cross-stitch with us!
