The Sampler in Plymouth, MA Click Here to go back to Page 1 of this Shop Feature
Elizabeth received the distinguished honor of being selected as one of Early American Homes Best 200 Crafts People in the U.S. over a ten-year period. This accolade led to one of her most challenging and prestigious commissions: the re-creation of the Hancock Bedhangings, the originals of which reside at Winterthur. (Cover of Fine Lines, Fall 1998 Issue) Just last year she was honored with an invitation to design an ornament for the 1999 White House Christmas Tree. Other designs have been featured in McCalls, Samplers and Antique Needlework and a subsequent issue of Fine Lines.
Many of Elizabeth's crewel designs are available as kits or as finished pieces through The Sampler. Custom designed commissions are her forte as she excels in marrying inventive, contemporary elements with traditional techniques and designs. Elizabeth relishes the challenge and is totally in her element when applying herself to a design project. She explains her approach; "I design to find solutions for the project presented to me. For instance the [Hancock] bedhangings had to be thought of by period, size and materials...After the selection of materials, then how will the stitching present the design most effectively, whether in surface embroidery, needlepoint or cross stitch." Elizabeth's method of teaching mirrors this strategy, "My classes at the shop are offered in the same manner on an individual basis to solve the student's needs, whether with beginning cross stitch or 17th century techniques." One such assignation was teaching 17th century stitching techniques to the interpreters at the Plimoth Plantation, a museum presenting 17th century life to the public.
The shop is a full service venue offering a vast array of needlework threads and fibers, fabrics, designs, kits, books, tools and accessories, as well as providing framing and finishing. There is an impressive display of vintage needlework to inspire and tempt and also an exclusive line of needlepoint kits inspired by the work of C.F.A. Voysey, an exponent of the Arts and Crafts Movement, which was developed by Elizabeth in collaboration with David Berman under Trustworth Art Needlework. Caron Collection products have been an integral part of the shop's inventory from its inception. Elizabeth remarks on satisfying the special needs of today's stitcher, "Our customer today is more sophisticated than 17 years ago, wanting varied stitching and good design. The Sampler is unique because of knowledge of needlework and of the commercial market...If we know the market, we can discover that odd item that is just what someone needs."
Whether it was coincidence or destiny that brought Elizabeth Creeden to Plymouth, it is certain that the town has been an ongoing source of inspiration, providing the raw materials, history, sensibility and opportunity to bring her exceptional talents to fruition in an equally exceptional manner. Elizabeth is indeed lucky to have found her muse in Plymouth. However, it is not only Plymouth, but also the rest of us, from all over the world, who are truly fortunate to have discovered her!
For more information on Elizabeth's rendition of the Hancock Bedhangings, please see this month's Gallery of Innovation.
- The Sampler
- 84 Court Street
- Plymouth, Massachusetts 02360
- Phone: (508) 746 7077
- E-mail: sampler@ice.net
- Hours: Mon. to Sat. 10 - 5, Thurs. 10- 8
STORE FOCUS ARCHIVES
(For previous month's features)Abecedarius in Marietta, Georgia Witchery Stitchery of Mt. Horeb Wisconsin City Stitcher of Chicago, IL L'Aguja Loca in Mexico City Ruth's Stitchery, in Colorado Springs, CO
Mrs. Titchett's Eye, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Pocket Full of Stitches, in Lubbock, TXSophisticated Stitchery, in Carteret, New Jersey
Hardanger House, Stettler, Alberta, Canada
Nordic Needle, Fargo, NDNeedlemania, in Cranston, Rhode Island The Country Cross-Stitcher, Woburn, Bedfordshire, UK Amy's Golden Strand, Memphis, TN Needle in a Haystack in Alameda, California
Tri Thy Needlecraft Centre, in North Wales, UK
Fils Du Temps in Strasbourg, France
Stitchery Source International / Rainbow Picture Framing in Miami, Florida
Nettie's Needlecraft in glamorous Beverly Hills, California...
Island Needlework, Key West, Florida...
The Summer House Needleworks, Oley Valley of Pennsylvania
Evening Star Designs, mail order specializing in Quilting supplies
Ginger's Needlearts and Framing, Austin, Texas
The Needlewoman East in Falls Church, Virginia
Hook-n-Needle in Fairfield County, CT
The Needlepointer, Everett, Washington
Haus Tirol in Williamsburg, Virginia
Crafty Lady in Macomb, Michigan
It's A Crewel World in Salem, Massachusetts
Exclamation Point!in Saratoga Village, California
Thistle Needleworks in Glastonbury, Connecticut
