About Zanki

As you know by now, I am Susan Wessels.

A few years ago, I became the proud owner of a Husqvarna Designer 1 embroidery machine. The urge to do my own designs sparked off something new and exciting, which eventually evolved into my own business. I started with the Husqvarna Viking Professional System and later upgraded to the Professional System Plus, which I currently use for all my digitizing.

However, every business needs a name. In searching for this, I sat down and 'remembered' people and events that shaped my life and prepared me for what I am doing now. The name 'Zanki' is derived from a number of different names that have a special meaning to me. I would like to share some of it with you.

As a vote of confidence, my grandmother Nell gave me my first set of oil painting materials when I was just nine years old. I eventually realized the dream to paint when I enrolled for painting classes in 2003. Painting also gave me a new perspective on digitizing - 'painting' in a different medium with different possibilities and restrictions. It also made me look at thread colors in a whole new way.

My first sewing experience was on this old machine, inherited from my great grandmother Kate.

I also distinctly remember the day when my first sewing machine arrived at our house. I was four and a half years old, and the machine was a Jones' that had belonged to my great grandmother Kate. I did not only inherit the machine, but also a huge 'lappiesak' (the Afrikaans word for a bag filled with colorful fabric remnants). I treasured this, and with the help of my mother, I discovered the wonderful world of sewing! The 'lappiesak' has since become cupboards filled with much larger pieces of fabric, but the excitement about the possibilities each piece holds has remained unchanged.

After I had decided on the name Zanki, I also realized that it sounded a lot like 'dankie', the Afrikaans word for 'thank you'. It also reminded me of 'Santjie', my father's special name for me when I was a little girl.

Linked to the meaning of 'dankie' above, I am really grateful to be involved in the world of machine embroidery at a stage when the possibilities are expanding so rapidly. I am sure that the 'lappiesak' still holds many exciting discoveries.

Little of this would have been possible if it had not been for the support of my friends and family and those involved in the development of this website: I am blessed by your presence in my life. Thank you for your encouragement, support and enthusiasm.