Designer Spotlight: Creative Enigma Store

I feel like “Creative Enigma” is a pretty apt name for this Etsy shop, because it offers a selection of things that to me don’t completely make sense being in the same shop. Some designers stick to a theme or a particular aesthetic, and others just don’t, which is totally fine. Creative Enigma Store, to me anyway, fits in that second category.

There are a selection of cross stitch minis (some of which might be good for the cross stitch magnets I shared the other day) and a large selection of patterns related to movies, TV shows and video games.

But there are also geometric designs and blackwork, adorable animals and even a couple of holiday patterns. For such a relatively small shop (fewer than 70 designs as of this writing) there’s a pretty big variety.

Since the movie, TV and video game section is the largest by far, I knew I needed to share one of those patterns. There are chibis of characters from The Walking Dead, plenty of horror movie characters and Forrest Gump on his park bench, to name a few.

Being a X Files fan from way back, though, I had to share the “I Want to Believe” pattern. This one is 133 by 200 stitches and uses 18 colors. It has a sort of grainy look to it just like you’d expect from a picture of a UFO. Using 14 count fabric the design comes out to 9.5 by 14.3 inches, or 24.1 by 36.3 cm. Which makes it almost poster sized!

If you’re a fan of Chinese astrology you’ll find a cool set of zodiac animal patterns, which would be lovely to stitch up for a fan of that animal even if its not their zodiac sign.

Check out the fun variety of cross stitch patterns available from Creative Enigma Store on Etsy.

[Photo: Creative Enigma Shop]

Mango Charm Studio doesn’t have a huge collection of cross stitch patterns in their Etsy shop, but at the risk of repeating their own descriptor, the designs they do have are charming, pretty and cute.

This shop has cross stitch patterns and bookmark designs, as well as a few laser designs you can use to cut your own signs. But that’s a different craft, so let’s focus on the cross stitch.

The bookmarks are the only section that is separated out, but there aren’t a lot of patterns to scroll through in their general cross stitch art category. You’ll find a lot of flowers, from marigold to lily of the valley, gladiolus to carnation.

It turns out these are all birth flowers, and there’s also a set of all 12 designs if you want to buy the bundle and stitch them up for everyone’s birthday.

When it comes to bundles, though, I can’t resist sharing the mini coastal cross stitch pattern bundle, both because this shop is based in Maine and that feels appropriate, and because there’s a big place in my heart for New England costal icons.

This set of nine designs includes a sand castle under an umbrella, a shell, sailboat, lobster, lighthouse, beach house, whale tail, blueberry plant and anchor.

The pieces range in size from 10 by 34 to 35 by 34 stitches, and in all only seven colors are used. These would all fit in 3 or 4 inch hoops if you want to make the whole set in little frames like they are shown.

In addition to flowers and coastal designs, you’ll also find Halloween cross stitch patterns (including a full set of ghosts and their hobbies, and a vintage fortune teller design), Mediterranean tile designs, little houses, fruits and black cats.

The bookmark section includes seasonal book stacks, flowers, a couple of geese and a best dad ever with mountain design.

It’s a small but sweet selection that you should check out at Mango Charm Studio on Etsy.

[Photo: Mango Charm Studio]

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