Stumpwork is a fascinating hand-embroidery technique, producing three-dimensional images out of embroidery stitches. If you've delved into stumpwork and liked it, or if you've heard of it but have no idea what it really is, you should check out the work of Jane Nicholas.

Jane Nicholas is an Australian embroiderer who has spent years researching stumpwork and developing gorgeous works of embroidered art, books, and kits. Her website alone attests to her appreciation of beauty and her artistic sense - it's a pleasure to look at! And you've just GOT to love the bugs!



While you're perusing Jane's site, check out her gallery! Her dragonfly specimen box is not to be missed, and her 17th century sampler is really unbelievable.

I like her stumpwork kits that correspond to the projects and designs in her books. I haven't personally worked any of her kits (I'd love to hear from someone who has!) but I think it's a neat idea to offer kits for the projects in her books. I've got hundreds of embroidery books with great ideas in them, but how convenient would it be to have all those ideas pre-packaged into kits?! While you may argue that it takes away the personal creative aspect, I think, for the learner, it's the way to go!

Jane Nicholas also offers an extensive list of supplies that can be ordered through her website. For those of us in the US, it might be a bit much to order these from Australia, but if you can't find them anywhere else, it might be worth it. From what I saw on the site, most basic supplies can be ordered here in the States.

The only thing that's missing that I'd like to see on a website like this would be a mini-tutorial or two - something that gives the reader (and beginners especially) a little taste of the technique. Just a little how-to project that one could print out and follow, that would produce maybe one simple flower or something. This would not only "sell" stumpwork, but it would probably sell people on her products, books, etc.

So if you want to take a delightful journey into the world of stumpwork, Jane Nicholas's Stumpwork Website might be just the right place to start. Enjoy the trip!

Labels: embroidery designers, embroidery resources, stumpwork, supplies