My Journey and Kats Korner: An About Me

katskornerstudio
Jun 4
6 min read

Introduction

Hello there!

I've had my website for a while now and I thought it was about time I wrote a full "About Me" and talked you through my journey and purpose.

So, hi! My name is Kathryn and I am the owner of Kats Korner (Kats Korner Studio). The purpose of writing this blog post is to help you get to know me and the business better and maybe answer some questions you may have.

Early Life / Pre-Kats Korner History

I am based in the South East of England, and I've been interested in creativity for as long as I can remember. Throughout my life, creativity has shown up in many different forms, but I have always been drawn back to the idea of doing something creative.

In primary school I adored creating projects - but I did NOT enjoy presenting them. I still have my project book about Jersey. I put a lot of effort into that Year 6 project.
For a good chunk of my childhood I was in a marching band, having learnt how to play the Bell Lyre.
Later in secondary school I created a Bebo page for my digital edits of mostly celebrities. I had taught myself 'Photoshop' skills; however, I used another, simpler, free editing platform I discovered.

In school, I enjoyed the art subjects (except drawing; I didn't enjoy it and strongly believed I couldn't draw. I have recently discovered that I can, in fact, draw; I just needed more self-confidence). In A-Level, Textiles and Photography were two of my chosen subjects. I never had a solid plan for continuing education and attending university. However, I did attend an interview and visit UCA Farnham. After sitting in a lecture hall and attending a mock lecture, I realised further education wasn't for me, so I decided to get job instead.

Getting a job whilst still at college was such a significant point in my life, where I began to grow more confident. The job was in retail - customer facing, which forces you to learn and develop people skills and other skills you can gain from being in the workplace.

At college, I was able to really start leaning into my clothing and fashion, this is where another creative route really started for me and getting a job in (fashion) retail skyrocketed this. Slowly this would become my focus, posting outfit pictures on Instagram, getting into the sneaker community, teaching myself more photography and editing skills whilst believing my future was held somewhere in that realm.

During my Instagram 'fashion' phase, I discovered how social media worked, how to connect with others and how to gain opportunities through these platforms. Whether that was being sent clothing and/or trainers to post, or being invited to events focusing on the sneaker community. These were all experiences that continued to help grow me as a person and show my creativity to the world.

After about 3 years working in retail I was offered the job of Visual Merchandiser within the same company (this would become my job for the next four years or so). Within a retail store this job would be seen as the top tier in creativity, you're literally the manager of how the store looks, what outfits are put together, how the windows look etc. However there was a big lack of creative freedom (and didn't I know it). So doing a 'creative' job but having limitations and rules on it, didn't really feel very 'creative'.

You cannot box creativity.

Anyway, I don't want to ramble on for too long, so here are some final points about my 'career' history.

Whilst working as a visual merchandiser I discovered a podcast called 'Creative Rebels' This podcast is all about getting out of your 9-5 and into a creative job. This plus many other factors started to help me see a future away from a retail or a corporate job.
2020 and then Covid came round - and wow, what a time it was. After my furlough was over and due to many factors at the time, it was finally FINALLY my time to just hand in that notice and see where the world would take me next.
I was fortunate to still be living at home, with low outgoings. I also had some money saved.
Covid was also the time I discovered punch needle (more on that later)
After a few months of unemployment and just decompressing from that retail job, I took up another retail job, this one was in the car retail industry and from the beginning this was never a long term thing, just something to have a bit of money coming in and human interaction again. I stayed for just over a year before going all in on Kats Korner.

The Birth of Kats Korner

Like I mentioned above, during Covid was the time I discovered punch needle, and to this day I still don't know where I saw it first but I do remember one of the first creators I came across was @CurrieGOAT on Youtube. When I started to learn about punch needle, information wasn't as readily available as it is today (or so I found) and I watched his videos SO many times, pausing, rewinding, trying to learn each step and where I was going wrong.

Slowly through the information I could find and through trial and error I started to get the hang of punch needle and from early on I had created punch needle pieces using the flat stitch, punch needle rug mirrors and a lot of punch needle wall hangings. My first pieces were 'embroidery' - showcasing the flat stitch at the final piece, which I seemed to have no issues, but when I came round to trying my first piece using the looped side, I nearly gave up – I was so, so close and couldn't figure out what was wrong. Turned out my yarn didn't have enough slack (seems so simple now).

Punch needle for me at the beginning was never about turning it into a business I was purely another creative outlet and up until this point, I would flip-flop with hobbies a lot. However the interest in punch needle continued and has grown to what it is now.

So why Kats Korner? As I mentioned my name is Kathryn, that can be shortened to Kat and it also relates to cats (whom I absolutely adore). I also had a cat - Jack, who was my first and only pet and best friend at that. He's now the face of Kats Korner – the front man, you might say. The korner part is a play on the word 'corner' I started Kats Korner from the corner of my home and I simply like the alliteration.

I also wanted a name that was broad and could expand as the business grows and changes but still keep its personality and meaning.

Community Connection

Community is an amazingly rewarding thing and being able to be someone who has created one is truly incredible.

Of course, at my core, I am a creative and an artist, and I want to be the one creating BUT I also have space to inspire, educate and uplift others whether that's through learning punch needle or just simply giving confidence to others.

Building community was slow at first but once I started going live on TikTok, that community GREW and I was reaching so many other creatives, hobbyists or like minded people.

I am ever grateful for everyone who has been, currently or will come on the journey of Kats Korner with me, without you I couldn't be doing what I am doing today.

Looking Ahead

My goals for Kats Korner are to just continue creating, inspiring, educating and connecting. Whilst expanding Kats Korner and seeing where it takes me.

It's not easy. It is the most difficult but rewarding 'job' I have ever done, I have never worked as hard as I do now, but I know there is a bright future for myself and Kats Korner and every day is another step towards creativity and being an artist.

Thank you so, so, so much for taking the time out to read my about me and hopefully getting to know me just a little bit better.

All my love.

Kathryn, Kats Korner 🩵🐈‍⬛