If you think cross-stitching is only an activity for grandmas to do post-bingo night, you clearly haven’t met Susannah Leigh Caviness. The 27-year-old striking brunette and Grant Park dweller, who works as H.B.I.C. at Mindzai studio and gallery, began cross-stitching as a hobby, then took her talents to the next level by opening up her Etsy shop, Eleventh House, late last year. She turns the classic craft on its head by cross-stitching punk band logos, quotes from shows like The X-Files and Twin Peaks, or just plain swear words surrounded by dainty designs. Everyone from local art lovers to big-time band members is scooping up her stuff, and the popularity of her designs doesn’t look to be slowing down anytime soon.
Here, we talked to Caviness about landing in Atlanta, her creative process and some of her favorite local makers.
CommonCreativATL: How did you end up in Atlanta?
Susannah Leigh Caviness: I was born in Jackson, Mississippi, though I didn’t spend much time there after I was born. I grew up in the foster system for a little bit before I was adopted, and grew up in Lisbon before coming back to the United States in the mid ‘90s. It’s all sort of a blur, honestly. I’ve always moved around two to three years, so it was only a matter of time before I ended up in Atlanta. I think there is something inside of me that just feels this constant need to seek adventure, travel and explore the world because of that. I came here knowing hardly anybody—I was just sort of passing through. But I ended up loving it and I’ve been here for three and a half years, which is the longest I’ve lived anywhere.
CC: Outside of making badass cross-stitch, you also work at Mindzai—tell me about that.
SLC: Mindzai is a print/design studio and gallery. We have two locations, Austin and Atlanta—the Atlanta office is my baby. I curate monthly art shows and oversee all the day-to-day operations, which include digital and screen printing production, accounting, marketing, social media, branding, client relations and coffee intake; a little but of everything. Running a small business means you get to wear several different hats.
Mindzai specializes in art replication and digital printing—giclée and canvas art prints, die-cut anything, posters, apparel printing, etc. We have a really great clientele of musicians, artists from all over—bars, tattooers, Bacardi, Topshop, SXSW and tons of other festivals. It’s awesome working in a creative environment full of other artists and business owners, and helping them facilitate ways to create accessible art and special marketing pieces.
CC: How did you get into cross-stitching?
SLC: I saw a lot of it in various homes I grew up in, mostly religious depictions of “The Fall of Man” or Bible verses with really intricate lettering. I always thought the tediousness of it was really quite beautiful, and I have always loved handmade anything. But, I also believed cross-stitching is something old people did when they could no longer see the television. The thought never really came across again until 20 or so years later when I was living out of my office and wanted to explore a new hobby out of boredom and for my own sanity.
CC: What’s the first thing you cross-stitched?
SLC: The first thing I ever cross-stitched was the Black Flag bars logo. I just thought it would be kind of funny. At the time I hadn’t really seen any needlework that wasn’t an Irish proverb or weird farm animals, and I thought what better way to mix it up then to make things that had an occult following or just a random curse word with some dainty flowers around it. Initially, I was making things for close friends or myself, but people loved them and kept requesting I make more. So I did!
CC: What made you decide to open up shop and sell your work?
SLC: I opened up my Etsy shop in November 2014. I had posted some of my first pieces on Instagram and had a lot of feedback requesting I open an online shop. Dough Bakery reached out to me about carrying some pieces, and I started doing small gallery shows and markets. I had a really positive reaction from people that I wasn’t expecting. I figured an Etsy wouldn’t hurt, and if I sold a few pieces a month I would be happy.
I started making some Twin Peaks and X-Files pieces, and those started selling really quickly. I’m really not sure how it all happened, but there were definitely weeks where I couldn’t keep up, especially around Christmas. I never expected that and I’m really grateful that people enjoy the F word and aliens as much as I do. The coolest thing that has come of opening up an online shop was getting to make [musician] Wes Eisold some American Nightmare and Cold Cave pieces for Valentine’s Day.
CC: Where did the shop name come from?
SLC: The name Eleventh House comes from astrology, and it represents the focus on the things we do and how we make a difference. As a result, we grow and actualize and make things happen for ourselves and those around us. I thought the name was sort of fitting, and it’s a name that has stuck with me since I first graduated college and began to think about what I would want to call any future business venture.
CC: What does your creative process look like?
SLC: Most of my nights and weekends are dedicated to making things. Usually Netflix is involved in some capacity. If I’m making something totally new, I just go for it instead of trying to plan out a pattern. My life would probably be easier if I plotted things out on graph paper but I never have. Each piece takes anywhere from one to three hours for me to complete, or one French horror movie. A lot of times I have to take a few days off, because it’s really hard on my hands. Between this and Mindzai I probably work with my hands a good 60 hours a week. I expect them to fall off any minute, but I really wouldn’t change a thing. I get to do what I love every single day, and even though I lose a lot of sleep I’m still really happy I get to share these things with people.
CC: What do you do if you’re feeling uninspired?
SLC: When I get mentally and physically drained and defeated, I usually just need to catch up on some sleep and spend some quality time with my boyfriend and friends. I’ve found that taking a breather and disconnecting from work for a bit is a good way to recalibrate. That has always been really hard for me. Honestly, taking “time off” sort of gives me anxiety, but I’m learning to be better about turning off my phone and computer.
CC: What inspires you?
SLC: I draw a lot of inspiration from books written by other creative women—I’m currently reading Kim Gordon’s book, Girl in a Band. My boyfriend and I just moved into a place with a pool, so I’m excited to have another way to de-stress soon. Mostly, I just try to surround myself with people who are also doing really positive and cool things on any type of level. That keeps me motivated to keep going too.
CC: You do custom cross-stitch—have you had any request that were extra-awesome, weird, etc.?
SLC: I was just asked to do a “Frozen” piece. Totally not my thing whatsoever, but I’m happy to accommodate (almost) anyone’s special request!
CC: How do you think your upbringing has influenced you as a creator?
SLC: My upbringing consisted of a lot of rules and sheltering. I was allowed to go to school and that was about it. I was always reading, writing, and making art because I didn’t have any other extra circular activities or friends to do otherwise. In a way it came naturally, but in a way I had forced myself to create as a means to have some sort of purpose. Growing up, I was a bit of a lone wolf and learned early on that if I wanted something or to accomplish a particular goal, I had to do it and not rely on anyone to make it happen for me. Now, I have a great group of friends who encourage me daily, but I’m thankful I adapted a strong will at an early age.
CC: Who are some of your favorite artists or creators, local or otherwise?
SLC: Tara McPherson, Mark Ryden, David Cook/Bonethrower, Native Bear, Nate Frost, Celia Favorite and Sever.
CC: Where’s your favorite spot to spend time in Atlanta?
SLC: Oakland Cemetery is in my backyard. In the spring and summer, it’s my favorite place to go to drink iced coffee and read.
CC: Do you have any special pieces, collabs or shows coming up?
SLC: I’m currently working with Circa Survive on some limited custom pieces for their webstore and tour. I will also be a vendor at the first ever LadyFest at the end of the month.
CC: What are your thoughts on Atlanta’s creative/maker scene?
SLC: In the short amount of time I’ve lived here, I’ve seen it grow tremendously. It makes me really excited to see what happens three to five years down the road. Almost everyone I know or come in contact with is some sort of creator or maker and doer. It’s extremely inspiring to live in a place where people help build each other up and make incredible things happen.
Check out more of Susannah’s work in her Etsy shop or on Instagram.
