Introduction to Lana Shupe!

I want to visit a pig farm.  In Lincolnshire, England. 

Never in a million years would I have imagined myself thinking those words, much less writing about them.  But when Jennifer, of Embroidery Marketplace, sent me the link to the LOWERY work stand website and I read through the information there, I was smitten.

I love a good story so the LOWERY work stand story resonated.  Picture it.  The year is 1986. A creative embroiderer, a wife, asks a talented pig farmer/woodworker husband to build her a work stand to make her embroidery hours more pleasant. That husband takes the request and runs with it – well, he builds with it – creating the first LOWERY workstand.  Built with love from a husband to a wife, the making of that work stand has blossomed into a family business passed down through a generation.  I love this story of a pig farmer who became a woodworker.  A story of function meeting form. Pardon the pun but that original work stand is still “standing” today.   A testament to the quality and longevity of the product.  I also love that Jenn supports this business and this family through promoting and stocking this product in her own business.

The beautiful, long-lasting, hard-working pieces created at LOWERY are done so using lathes from the 1940’s that have stood the test of time.  The business is housed in what used to be pig farming buildings. Picture it.  An English countryside. A grandson and wife carrying on a proud tradition.  The sound of an almost 100-year-old lathe smoothing pieces of wood, taken from buildings that once housed pigs, creating a functional piece of crafting art.  A pure, simple tradition that stands the test of time. 

When I visit Lincolnshire I will observe the tradition and revel in the simplicity and craftsmanship that takes place as each workstation is created.  I hope to catch a glimpse of that first work stand still in existence today.  I also hope to see the embroidered pieces created by the wife of that farmer. Sadly that wife and creative talent is no longer alive, but her embroidery history remains in the pieces she created. Seeing that piece of embroidery history is sure to spark a create flame.

If like me you love a good story, a well-designed product, publicized great customer service and the chance to help a business through numbers, check out LOWERY workstands on all of their social media platforms.  If you are in the market for a new workstand get in touch with Jenn for details.   Next time you are in Lincolnshire, England stop in and see it all for yourself.