Interview with Lodia of Into Embroidery

How did you get started with digitizing and embroidery?
Being a keen sewer, my husband bought me an embroidery machine in October 1999 to have as pure enjoyment. But my youngest son took very ill in June 2000 with cancer and to give him something to keep himself busy with during his better days, he started playing with the embroidery machine and we got him the PED V3 software. He simply loved it. But shortly after this, he got too ill to work with it any longer. After his death, I had all this equipment and decided rather than letting it waste away, I would try my hand at it. But I could not even switch a computer on, let alone digitize! But with encouragement from wonderful friends like Eurika and Stephanie Geldenhuys, I soon got the hang of it and got completely hooked on it!

Has your business changed since you started digitizing?
Absolutely! When I first started, I would only work for friends and family and did simple designs. Then I started doing logos for companies. Then I was approached by a dressmaker that specialized in wedding dresses to do a set of exclusive lace designs that she needed for a customer. And then I got interested in doing my own work rather than boring logos. Soon after this, I started working on the Net. I simply love doing cute things for babies and children, but slowly I tried my hand at other things. I am now getting involved with a shop here in the UK who wants me to do exclusive designs for them only to sell in there shop. What I do, is my choice and it has really given me the chance to do what I fancy. Digitizing has now also become our sole source of income as my husband is too old to get work here in the UK.

What future projects are in the works?
There are quite a few projects that I am working on right now. I have a dear friend in Australia that will be doing displays for me, so look out for these!

What personal information would you like to share?
Clive and I used to live in sunny South Africa, but came to the UK 10 months ago to come and help our daughter look after her two sons while she completes her studies. Having lost both our sons at very young ages, our daughter and two grand kids were all that we had and felt that we had to come to her. But we are very homesick!! Maybe one day soon we will go back to South Africa! I have met and made some wonderful friends on the net and thank God every day for this opportunity that He gave me.