MEET the MAKER
Chloe Hardisty
Cotton Clara owner Chloe Hardisty talks about the power of stitching to boost mental health
How did Cotton Clara come to be?
When I was pregnant with my first son, I was looking for a stylish embroidery kit to make something for his nursery. Everything I found felt old fashioned. It got me thinking that I could create kits that were more modern and design-led.
I started small, I sold little kits on Etsy. Then I kept setting myself goals to make it a proper business. For example, one goal was to be accepted to sell on Notonthehighstreet. It kept going and I’d get more and more orders. I got my first big wholesale order for kits and I decided to take the leap and quit my job to go full-time in the business.
Where does the name Cotton Clara come from?
My husband and I were out one evening and I was telling him what I wanted to do with the business. We needed to call it something, and we brainstormed words that went together nicely. We had a long list of words and worked out which ones sounded best. I have two sons, but if I’d had a daughter, I’d have called her Clara.
What is it that you love about embroidery?
I’ve always been drawn to it. You can teach yourself and it’s very simple, which suits my short attention span. Although it’s a slow craft, you can create something pretty in a short space of time.
I love cross stitch, too – I find it really relaxing and you lose yourself in the counting. It has the perfect level of simplicity that switches off your brain.
Cotton Clara promotes crafting for your mental health – why do you think it has a positive impact?
Being creative is really good for us – even people who say they’re n
