About Jennifer Pudney

Jen established Jennifer Pudney Ltd in 1990. Beginning with the needlepoint kits, the range has now expanded into a wide range of products. From tapestry, to needlepoint and cushions to felted embroidery and cross stitch. In Jen’s words…

“I’ve known I was going to be a textile designer since I was 13 years old.

After finishing my diploma in textile design, I became a bag lady! Designing that is, for a luggage company. And it was in the plane on a business trip to Asia that I really got hooked on needlepoint. The designs were awful but the activity itself was relaxing and made those long flights pass so quickly.Over the next few years I worked for a range of companies but always felt something was missing. It was as if I was dancing to a different rhythm.

So I went back to the Wellington Polytechnic to do an Advanced Diploma in Textile Design.This is where I developed my first product – the Needlepoint Postcard Kits. I felt there was a gap in the market for something that appealed to ME!

At the time, I was exhibiting my needlepoint designs and enjoying some success selling the finished product. But I could only do one at a time – and there was more demand for my work than I could keep up with. So why not get people to do the stitching to create their own art pieces? So with a ‘parental loan’, I bought cottons, printed cards and packets. While it was slow hard going, I had enormous support from friends, family and some great retailers – who are still with me today!

While learning the trials and tribulations of business, I met my future husband – on a boat of all places. About ten weeks later we were married. And in a fit of sane madness, he resigned his position as a policy analyst and joined me in my very small, part-time struggling business. But what dreams!

From a small factory we have grown to supply stores and customers all around the world. Our product range has expanded – and seems to keep on expanding.

We loved what we did and the fabulous people working with us!”

See Jennifer’s fun needlepoint kits and designs at: https://bewitchedangel.com/product-category/crafts/needlepoint-kits/