Maggie Backman
INTERVIEW
An interview with: Maggie Backman
Tell us about your Kirkland background.
We moved to Kirkland 30 years ago when my husband retired from the Navy. We came back to the Northwest so that my husband could develop some property and remodel and build some houses. So I started my business exactly 30 years ago, at that time teaching a very rare Japanese embroidery called Rozashi. My first Rozashi embroidery class was given to a large embroidery group in Seattle. Those eight years of embroidery teaching lead me to many parts of this country and other parts of the world business. But more recently I have returned to the Northwest for more of my work.
Why did you choose Kirkland as a place to live and work?
When my husband retired from the Navy we decided to come back to the Seattle area for a number of reasons. Our older boys were attending the University of Washington, we had previously lived on Whidbey Island for seven years and my business demanded we be close to an airport. (For teaching and traveling.) We selected Kirkland because of the good schools (we had a son just beginning high school) and we longed to return to the green Northwest, after living in many parts of the US and the overseas.
What do you find special about being an textilist in Kirkland?
The fact that those of us who are independent businesses like to be places where we feel comfortable and where we are close to art activities... and that we can be connected with art-oriented people. I feel that Kirkland’s really the place to be, so close to many types of art and cultural actitivies. You may not accomplish everything you want to do, but the opportunities are here, and that’s the important thing.
Is Kirkland a good place to be working in your discipline?
Oh yes. Since my business is mail-order and [online], I can easily blend into any community. But to be comfortable in your community has a lot to do with it – and the setting around you is important. We’ve lived in many places around the world, so it has been so nice to return to the Northwest and our town Kirkland. I think there’s a real opportunity for entrepreneurship in this area. It’s electric – it’s in the air all the time.
What do you enjoy that is new?
The fact that the Library is bigger now and that we have a nice hotel, the Heathman. It’s a shame that we lost some of the galleries and other art-oriented businesses that have closed, but the good restaurants are nice to have ‘in our back yard’. The arts are such an integral part of Kirkland and updating the city is helping; the fact that they’re working to make it look better. It adds a lot of value.
Inspirational Places
Are there any special places you like to go in Kirkland for creative inspiration?
Inspiration to an artist is everywhere. But you do have a nice smaller city here with an interesting history that is not overwhelmed with big shopping centers. And you have space. I think space is very important to
artists and designers. They like to feel that there’s openness for their work.
Where do you take visiting friends?
First thing I do is I bring them downtown. We go into the shops, and to a restaurant to have a good meal. We go to the consignment shops. There is a lot to do here in Kirkland, and the wineries are so close, so they can go to wine tastings. To relax, our house is known as one of the best B&Bs in the world. My husband is a great cook, so all the teachers and people I work with like to come visit our home and spend some time in Kirkland, when time allows.
What’s your best piece of advice for visitors?
Enjoy walking downtown, along the waterfront, going to the Library, stopping for a cup of coffee and going to the Wednesday Market. Kirkland is a destination point – and that’s good.