Have you ever had a 'ting' moment? I have been reading 'The Fairy Doll' to my daughter and every time something makes sense to the child in the book she hears a 'ting' in her head. I had this moment when I was talking about my business with my friend, she said "you obviously want to make jewellery, have you thought of branching out?" TING! The thing is that I don't necessarily want to make jewellery, I want to embroider, and, while I love the pieces I have made, I have found I am thinking more about frames and chains than split stitch and stem stitch.
This doesn't mean I am stopping the jewellery altogether but I want to work on some framed pieces.
Where to start? My favourite photo, taken in my garden last summer. I spent ages trying to photograph the bees on my lavender. The problem with bees is that they are very busy little blighters, they don't stay still for long, so you can imagine my joy when I got this one just right.
This doesn't mean I am stopping the jewellery altogether but I want to work on some framed pieces.
Where to start? My favourite photo, taken in my garden last summer. I spent ages trying to photograph the bees on my lavender. The problem with bees is that they are very busy little blighters, they don't stay still for long, so you can imagine my joy when I got this one just right.
Too big for a pendant it is perfect for my first framed piece.
So, start with a sketch:
So, start with a sketch:
I then transferred the sketch onto the silk. I had shied away from wooden hoops as the last time I used one I couldn't stop it slipping, however, I don't like to admit defeat so I tried again. Success! The silk held beautifully.
I like to think it is a good sign that I still get extremely nervous before I start a new piece, it keeps me alert and focused.
And so I began, random stitches at first to try and give me an idea of direction for the bee's hairy little body.
I like to think it is a good sign that I still get extremely nervous before I start a new piece, it keeps me alert and focused.
And so I began, random stitches at first to try and give me an idea of direction for the bee's hairy little body.
Slightly more uniformed stitches for his bum (I am sure it has a technical name but 'bum' will suffice), but still trying to keep the hairy appearance. Mostly split stitch.
Then on to the lavender, flowers are my comfort zone but they usually have standard petals and I usually work in satin stitch. Here I have used split stitch and really tried to grade different lavender colours.
I know framed embroidery may not seem like a moment of genius, and there may not be the same demand as there is for jewellery, but I feel as if I am now free to explore and hone my skill as an embroidery artist.
