URGHH specialises in embroidery, cards and illustration. Hand-drawn, hand-stitched, there’s a personal touch to every design and product.
Owner, Maria, has also now launched URGHH embroidery kits, which give both children and adults the chance to get creative with their own designs. The kits have proved incredibly popular as an at home lockdown activity and we chatted to Maria to find out more about it all.
Tell us a Little about how you got started with URGHH designs.
URGHH all started as a hobby at first! I started embroidering gifts for friends and family and it wasn’t until I sold out of my hoops at ‘Realms of Rummage’ craft fair that I had the confidence to grow it as a business.
You’re currently selling embroidery kits online, who are these ideal for and what comes in them?
My embroidery kits are perfect for children and adults! The first kit I added to my shop can be as simple or advanced as you want because you have free reign over the design.
Will beginners be able to get the hang of it?
My newer kits have easy to follow patterns so they’re a great place to start if you’ve never embroidered before. I also have video tutorials on Instagram for some extra help.
What are some of your favourite designs you’ve done?
Some of my favourite designs are my embroidered bee, chainstitch rainbow and my sprinkle letter hoops! It’s hard to have favourites though because I could never imagine making or selling a product that I didn’t totally believe in and love!
Aside from the embroidery kits what other designs of yours are available to buy?
As well as embroidery kits and hand stitched pieces, I also create and sell greeting cards, framed illustrations and prints and a range of home decor. I’m interested in so many aspects of design, which would be perfect if there were five of me!
Who are some of your favourite independents in Leicester?
There are so many talented and passionate independents in Leicester, it’s hard to choose from them all but a few that stand out for me are ‘The Bloom Project’, ‘We Are’ and ‘Nada’. A few of my favourite artists and crafters right now are ‘Sass and Sorcery’, ‘Laura Pee Illustrations’ and ‘Faulty Stone’.
How do you find Leicester as a city for creatives?
Leicester has really opened up the possibility to be an independent artist for myself and so many other creatives. There’s always something going on whether it’s exhibitions at LCB Depot or networking events with ‘Creative Leicestershire’. As well as studying footwear design at DMU, I’ve had classes at ‘Makers Yard’ and have recently become an member of ‘Webinart’s’ professional development programme. There are more and more creative workshops and craft fairs happening as well so I imagine everyone is eager to get stuck in again when it’s safe to!
There’s a real sense of community and inclusion as a creative in Leicester and that’s so wonderful and important in such a diverse city, it does bring people together!
To see the current range of products and to buy online visit the URGHH Etsy shop.
