# Cross-Stitched Diseases Alicia Watkins Takes Deadly Microbes and Turns Them into Art By Jamie Danielle Munro | Published 2014-03-19 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/deadly-microbes References: [neatorama](http://www.neatorama.com/2014/03/18/Alicia-Watkinss-Cross-Stitch-Microbes/) & [etsy](https://www.etsy.com/shop/aliciawatkins/search?search_query=microbe&order=date_desc&view_type=gallery&ref=shop_search) Most people would not look at deadly microbes and think, "hey, there's an art project here..." unless you are Alicia Watkins. The [Etsy](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/etsy-and-kacey-musgraves) user has come out with a new line of [cross-stitched pieces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/painting-exhibition) featuring everything from e-coli to syphilis. The artwork surprisingly looks colorful and attractive, considering she's representing terrible diseases that can harm numerous people. The fact that Watkins decided to represent these deadly microbes in this way makes the work that much more humorous. Taking a touchy concept such as disease and turning it into [works of art](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/artistedition-jigsaw-puzzles) makes one look at the idea of these sicknesses in a different way. The most ideal outcome of these pieces will be that people will want to educate themselves on these topics, and avoid contracting them in any way in the future. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.4/10 - Popularity: 53% | Activity: 42% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 10% men, 90% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Home](https://www.trendhunter.com/home) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Microbial Art:** Turning deadly microbes into art can create a unique and humorous way to educate people about diseases. - **Unconventional Education:** Creating art inspired by serious topics can encourage people to learn and educate themselves in a more fun and engaging way. - **Humorous Awareness:** Using humor to promote awareness on serious matters can help attract and engage a wider audience. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Art and Design:** Art and design industry can use this concept of microbial art to create unique and engaging art pieces that can attract a wider audience. - **Education:** Working with artists to create educational art pieces can be a great way for educators to engage students in a more fun and engaging way. - **Public Health:** Public health organizations can incorporate the concept of humorous disease awareness to spread awareness about different diseases and promote healthy practices. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Educational Plush Clips](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/plagues-from-history-backpack-clips.md) - [Traveling Virus-Themed Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/traveling-exhibition-for-children.md) - [Health Object Art Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/out-of-orifice.md) - [Thought-Provoking Interactive Installations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/antibodies-installation.md) - [Medicine-Inspired Artful Shows](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/something-for-the-pain.md) - [Playful Crochet Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/crochet-collection.md) - [Bug-Inspired Jewelry](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/murder-hornet-ring.md) - [Intricate Fiber Art Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/threadwork-women-redefining-fiber-arts.md) - [Collaborative Tea Towel Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tea-towel-design.md)