Wedding bouquet and buttonhole 2022
For her sister’s wedding in June, Hannah made a bouquet and buttonhole from hand embroidered goldwork flowers. The bouquet features poppies, cosmos and geranium flowers. The flowers were made from silver plated goldwork wires with touches of sage green for the flower centres and details on the petals. On the wedding day real eucalyptus leaves were added around the goldwork flowers and the bouquet was tied with a ribbon which Hannah hand embroidered with the quote ‘Reader, I married him’ at one end and a crescent moon at the other end. For the groom, Hannah made a buttonhole from an anenome flower..
Goldwork wild flower still life 2020
Inspired by the Dutch master's still life paintings Hannah created a series of goldwork wild flowers. Thinking about the future of native flower species in the context of climate change, Hannah chose to focus on British wild flowers as a way to draw attention to the beauty of these sometimes overlooked flowers. Sometimes considered as weeds and often not valued as garden plants, Hannah instead chose to represent wild flowers the precious and valuable flowers that they are. In keeping with the gold and silver theme of the flowers, Hannah commissioned a vase from ceramic artist Alex McCarthy in which to display the flowers.
Hand & Lock Prize Winner 2019
The Hand & Lock Prize brief for 2019 was titled 'Fool the Senses'. Hannah was selected as one of the six finalists in the textile art open category and was awarded first prize at the judging event in November. Hannah created four flower sculptures that each represent one of the four seasons of the year. Each sculpture is hand embroidered using the traditional technique of goldwork embroidery.
In response to the brief Hannah imitated the intricate textures and patterns of petals and leaves with goldwork wires. The sculptures aim to fool the senses by creating flowers which, despite the use of metal threads, retain the delicacy of their real life counterparts. A self-made fabric created from metal leaf and organza was applied to the undersides of the petals and leaves which, whilst it gives the impression of a hard metallic surface, is in fact soft and pliable. The limited colour palette of only gold and silver puts the focus on the textures and patterns of the flowers.
Victorian dried flower arrangements, still life paintings and the work of photographer Jamie Beck influenced the composition and display of the sculptures. Hannah chose to display the sculptures in glass domes to create a series of floral still life arrangements with a contemporary feel.
In response to the brief Hannah imitated the intricate textures and patterns of petals and leaves with goldwork wires. The sculptures aim to fool the senses by creating flowers which, despite the use of metal threads, retain the delicacy of their real life counterparts. A self-made fabric created from metal leaf and organza was applied to the undersides of the petals and leaves which, whilst it gives the impression of a hard metallic surface, is in fact soft and pliable. The limited colour palette of only gold and silver puts the focus on the textures and patterns of the flowers.
Victorian dried flower arrangements, still life paintings and the work of photographer Jamie Beck influenced the composition and display of the sculptures. Hannah chose to display the sculptures in glass domes to create a series of floral still life arrangements with a contemporary feel.
Commissions
Commissioned work for private clients. This has included larger pieces such as highly detailed embroidered for framing, bridal embroidery and smaller items such as custom made bee and insect brooches.
Hand & Lock Prize 2017, Third Prize
The Hand & Lock Prize brief for 2017 was titled 'Celebration'. Hannah was selected as a finalist in July and was awarded third prize in the fashion open category at the live judging event in November. The below images show the final garment displayed at the live judging event alongside embroidery development samples.
The project was based on a celebration of endangered and threatened animals and insects which eventually solely focused on bees. The final garment, a jumpsuit, is embroidered with tambour cutwork stitch in a honeycomb pattern which is highlighted with tambour beaded sections. A swarm of bees embroidered using goldwork and Swarovski gemstones encircle the garment on a layer of tulle which represents a bee keepers veil. The honeycomb belt represents the hive where the queen bee, embroidered with purple gemstones, is surrounded by worker bees. The fabric was hand dyed in three different honey tones and layered, then sections were cut away to reveal the different colours. A wide brimmed hat is embroidered with a honeycomb pattern using gold work threads and beads and an eye mask (worn as a choker on the mannequin) is embroidered with the same honeycomb pattern.
The project was based on a celebration of endangered and threatened animals and insects which eventually solely focused on bees. The final garment, a jumpsuit, is embroidered with tambour cutwork stitch in a honeycomb pattern which is highlighted with tambour beaded sections. A swarm of bees embroidered using goldwork and Swarovski gemstones encircle the garment on a layer of tulle which represents a bee keepers veil. The honeycomb belt represents the hive where the queen bee, embroidered with purple gemstones, is surrounded by worker bees. The fabric was hand dyed in three different honey tones and layered, then sections were cut away to reveal the different colours. A wide brimmed hat is embroidered with a honeycomb pattern using gold work threads and beads and an eye mask (worn as a choker on the mannequin) is embroidered with the same honeycomb pattern.