Leave it to an accomplished electrical engineer with a master’s degree and five years of field experience to take a scientific approach to crafts. “After my son was born, I started to experiment with textiles; it was something new for me, as well as a fascinating mix of techniques, methods, and creative research,” recalls designer Anna Kokorin, the modern embroidery artist behind NaNee Hand Embroidery.
Through this experimentation, Anna rekindled her childhood love of crafting, and soon realized she was meant for more creative pursuits. After half a decade of engineering work, she says, “I needed to admit that it wasn’t for me.” Around that time, she learned about Etsy: “I became obsessed with the idea of starting my own shop and joining this community of talented people. I knew I could do what I love, while also taking care of my children,” she says.
The result is Anna’s charming and fanciful line of downloadable embroidery patterns featuring illustrations of tropical plants, foxes, cacti, and even flamingos. “I wouldn’t say I have a signature style,” Anna adds. “I just like to express an idea using colors, lines, and stitches on a textile.”
We got in touch with Anna to learn more about her inspirations (modern Japanese embroidery!), her process for creating patterns, and her creative childhood.
You had a very creative childhood, learning weaving and other crafts from your grandmother. Tell us more about that.
I became familiar with handcrafts in my early childhood — my mother taught crafts her entire life. As a child, I wanted to try everything: embroidery, crocheting, knitting, sewing, macrame, bead weaving, drawing… I can’t remember when I started to embroider, but I remember liking it from the very beginning. I have an old photo where I’m embroidering; I was about five years old at the time.
My granny also practiced handcrafts. She sewed simple clothes and home textiles decorated with embroidery, baked bread in a big Russian stove, and took care of her garden and farm. She taught me how to weave on a large loom; it was her winter activity. During the summer she had no time for weaving — but I had plenty of time! So when I was 12, I decided to work on a carpet that my granny hadn’t finished yet — it was decorated with scarlet poppies. I felt so proud that I was able to weave, too.
Tell us about your design process: How do you go from an idea to an embroidery pattern? What do you think are the characteristics of a great embroidery pattern?
My design approach is as follows: First, I sketch in pencil. Then I process my sketches in a graphics program, transferring the design to a textile. Then I embroider, making corrections to the initial sketch. The final product is a PDF file. The qualities I aim for when creating a new pattern are clear images, simple lines, a harmonious color scheme, and simplicity of process.
Your Pinterest account is bursting with embroidery inspiration. Is that a place you regularly go to find or to keep track of ideas? What are some other sources of inspiration for you?
Pinterest is definitely the most convenient place to search for and to store ideas. I also enjoy visiting Etsy to get inspired; I love reading the stories of other makers’ successes. I often search for “wall art” or “home decor” in order to keep up with seasonal trends.
Who are some artists — either working in the same medium as you, or in something completely different — whose work you admire?
I love modern Japanese embroidery by designers like Kazuko Aoki and Yumiko Higuchi. Their works are so lively and flawless — it’s breathtaking! My “Flamingo” design was heavily influenced by Japanese embroidery.

What’s your best piece of advice for someone who is just starting out with embroidery or other needle crafts?
Practice! In time you will understand how to hold a needle and keep the right thread tension. You can find a lot of online videos that show different stitch techniques. In order to succeed with embroidery, you need to be diligent and careful.
What are your goals for the future?
My goal is simply to continue filling my shop with interesting designs.
Follow NaNee Hand Embroidery on Pinterest, Tumblr, and Instagram.
All photographs courtesy Anna Kokorina / NaNee Hand Embroidery.
56 comments
Megan from MegansMenagerie said 4 years ago
Your shop is a favorite! Love your work! Congratulations on the feature!
Francine from HomespunHeartofMine said 4 years ago
LOVE your joyful designs, Anna!! Congratulations on the feature and many blessings for your continued success!! :D
Theres from MoonyWool said 4 years ago
I adore your designs. Congratulations on this great feature!
Niki from JandEdoodles said 4 years ago
Your designs are beautiful, Anna! I love how your craftiness was passed on to you by your mother and grandmother. My grandma is the one that taught me how to embroider. One of my favorite memories from my childhood is a baby blanket that my grandma, mom and I all worked on together. My mom and I embroidered the quilt blocks, and my grandma sewed and quilted them together into the blanket.
Sue from SuesAkornShop said 4 years ago
Gorgeous! Congrats on the feature!
Renee from RandMhandmade said 4 years ago
Beautiful! Congratulations!!
renee and gerardo from GTDesigns said 4 years ago
Extraordinary work....love that flamingo....just...wow!!! Great feature!!!
DivineOrders from DivineOrders said 4 years ago
GLORIOUS! Congrats on the feature. Thank you Anna for sharing your creative lifestyle, beautifully engineered designs, and lovely arts with us. - Peace.
Danielle from DELIAWorkshop said 4 years ago
I've been trying my hand with embroidery lately and find your work to be so inspiring. Following your embroidery on Pinterest! Congratulations on being featured :-)
Gwynne Collins from DaysLongGone said 4 years ago
What cute designs! Love your shop, Anna! Congrats on your feature!
Cristy Ramos from ArtisanBathandBody said 4 years ago
Beautiful work! Congratulations on the feature ♥
Relly from RelsFindsNapaValley said 4 years ago
Beautiful designs, I love especially the Flamingo. Congratulations Anna of NaNee Hand Embroidery.
JOANNA from BUSTANI said 4 years ago
Great idea! Love your work! Congratulations on the feature!
Rhonda Stubbs from RhondaCorner said 4 years ago
How cute! Very simple, but very clean! Thank you for sharing and I wish you the best of luck on your adventures.
Carrie Cronkite from CCsSoapinaPouch said 4 years ago
Congratulations, your work is beautiful.
Monica from ThreeBarDGifts said 4 years ago
Your animal designs are adorable! Lovely shop! I have embroidered miles and still love the craft! Congrats on the feature and best wishes!
David and Helen Worcester from VerbenaPlaceJewelry said 4 years ago
Not an embroiderer myself, but certainly appreciate the artistry in your work, Anna. Really enjoyable article and lovely to discover another wonderful Etsy artisan!
AnitasPottery.com from potterybyAnita said 4 years ago
What lovely, creative designs! I can see that you really love what you do! Congrats on the Feature and best wishes for a successful future! ♥♥♥
Madeleine Keller from ThoseGoodVibrations said 4 years ago
your stuff is so beautiful, I love it! thanks for sharing and congrats on the feature!
allwood1 from AllWoodToo said 4 years ago
Your work is very pretty. I especially love the ones with sayings!
Sharon from YearsAfter said 4 years ago
Simply PRECIOUS! Keep up the great work! Congrats!
Jennifer and Gary Pierce from LoftAtticEarth said 4 years ago
So glad you found your creative side! You are blessed to have a wonderful grandmother. Your designs are delightful. Best wishes in 2016 and beyond as your shop continues to flourish.
Flair Nouri from FlairPaintings said 4 years ago
Your works are very neat and attractive. You are really creative. Congratulations on the feature!
Tempy from UrbanGreyWhale said 4 years ago
I love this! My dear grandmother was always working on some embroidery and I tried to pick up some pieces where she left off but found them so complicated and time consuming- I love that you have simplified beautiful embroidery pieces that anyone could do!!
Anna from TheLightCorner said 4 years ago
So beautiful, light and lovely! Good luck!
Lemonada Designs from LemonadaDesigns said 4 years ago
Truly your simple lines and harmonious color makes your shop stand out. Beautiful! Congrats and more blessings!
Carol Wagner from VintageBettyLuke said 4 years ago
Very cute! Great designs
Barbara Gable from CrazyLovely said 4 years ago
I just love these! I might even love them enough embroidery a try. So cute
LisaJ Aldrich from PrettyShabbyChicShop said 4 years ago
Love your shop! Congrats on the feature. :)
Sujata from TreasuredMemoryLane said 4 years ago
Beautiful work! Remind me of the day when I use to embroider. Congratulations on the feature!
Greg and Mary from LightingAlchemy said 4 years ago
Amazing work!! CONGRATULATIONS!!
Kendall McCulloch from SmittenKittenKendall said 4 years ago
Beautiful work! I love you shop :)
Geronimo Calzada from ArtByCalzada said 4 years ago
Beautiful artistic style.
accentonvintage from accentonvintage said 4 years ago
Lovely designs! Congrats!
Kashuen Collectibles from Kashuen said 4 years ago
I will be very proud too if I can weave at the age of 12. Beautiful shop. Congratulations on the feature.
Pavel Chernykh from tagilcity said 4 years ago
I rest when I see such work
Katrina Dzerkale from Dominna said 4 years ago
Im so in love with your foxes !
Melissa from adorablyimperfect said 4 years ago
I use to embroider. I feel another urge coming on! Lovely shop with happy and colorful designs. Congrats!
Andrii from OakKitchenBoards said 4 years ago
Cool :)
Theresa from whimsy52 said 4 years ago
Beautiful shop! Congratulations!
Perla McGriff from Titasyardsale said 4 years ago
Very inspiring... It makes me want to do some embroidering again soon. You are right, it takes much patience and paying attention to details when embroidering!
Kim Cole from BeachDaisyJewelry said 4 years ago
Beautiful designs! Very pretty and colorful. Congrats on the feature and continued success!
Devon Cameron from Gourdament said 4 years ago
I simply adore your work... It makes me happy!
Sherri from ButterflyFeetDigital said 4 years ago
Beautiful work, you are very talented! Congrats on the feature!
ClassicMemories from ClassicMemories said 4 years ago
Lovely shop. Congrats on the feature.
Pathumwadee Pathumwan from Hippiegardenshop said 4 years ago
Beautiful handicraft : ) Wonderful creative
Olesya Bagriy from BelkaUA said 4 years ago
Beautiful story and shop!!! Congratulations on the feature!
Hajira Gibb from HajiraKG said 4 years ago
Congratulations on the feature! Beautiful work :)
Michele Lea from NawteaKittea said 4 years ago
Absolutely adore your shop and that flamingo is the cutest!
TropicalGarden from TropicalGarden said 4 years ago
Wonderful embroidery work! Congratulations on the feature!
Mary Jo and Rachael from SouvenirAndSalvage said 4 years ago
Very beautiful designs and patterns! Congrats on being featured and best of luck to you in all your future endeavors.
Teerasak Borkam from TribalAndHarem said 4 years ago
Great idea! Thank you!
Flair Nouri from FlairPaintings said 4 years ago
all of the are lovely specially pineapple!!!
Akiko Seki from oldbluecrow said 4 years ago
so precious! Love this shop.
Kaleigh Mathurin from PaperMoonCollective said 4 years ago
Gorgeous work! <3
Roza Turowska from PERKAdesign said 4 years ago
I love watching how other people make their magic. Super cool stuff! xo, Róża