“It was a stressful time, with so many changes,” she says. “I started embroidery as a way to relax and focus on something else.” She began by upcycling clothes, adding embroidered patterns to make them more interesting. She was inspired by the bunads she saw in Rogaland, and made a jumper for her daughter with a similar design. Then she tried something more challenging: embroidered portraits.

“Portraits are very personal,” she explains. “You have to capture the essence of the person, not just their appearance. It’s almost like looking into their soul.” She made a portrait of her best friend Vicky, which was very meaningful for her. She also made portraits of strangers, based on photos she found online. “It takes a lot of time and effort to make a portrait from scratch. When I sell it, I feel like I’m giving away a part of myself.”

She learned everything by herself, experimenting with different techniques and materials. She shared her work on Instagram, where she gained many followers and admirers. Soon, people started asking her to make embroideries for them. “I didn’t plan to start a business,” she says. “But I’m happy that people like what I do and want to buy it.” She admits that she needs to work on the business side of things, but she doesn’t want to lose her creativity. “My advice to other artists is to stay true to yourself and your vision. Don’t get stuck making the same thing over and over again.”

Alix has only lived in Stavanger for a few months, and the corona situation has limited her opportunities to explore the local crafts scene. “But I’ve seen that there are many amazing local artists here, making beautiful and unique handmade products. That’s what I look for when I buy something handmade: the quality and the uniqueness.”

She also cares about sustainability, environment and the quality of work. “That’s what drives me,” she says. “I want to make something that lasts, that has meaning and that makes people happy.”