Carol Coleman LSDC

I love to design and make free-machine embroidered jewellery and Art to Wear.  By popular request, I began teaching dayschools and giving illustrated talks on the development of my work to groups of embroiderers and other textile artists.

My work is inspired directly from the materials I use, to create fantasy jewellery and boxes, often recycling broken or found objects and giving them new life in another form.  As I discover new media, new ideas and inspirations follow and my work moves on to explore the potential of my latest discovery.

I also use free-machine embroidery to produce wall-hung and 3D pieces; some of my more recent work has been inspired from my own photographs, especially tree bark and rusty metal.  The tactile quality of textiles combined with creating three-dimensional practical pieces is totally satisfying.

I began to exhibit my work in the southwest of England in 1999 and I have since demonstrated and exhibited at ICHF shows throughout the UK.

My work has been selected three times for entry into  Wearable Expressions, a juried international exhibition of wearable art in Palos Verdes, California.  Amber Neckta, a  three-piece choker and brooch combination set was exhibited at the Riches of Stitches, Collins Gallery Glasgow, April 2004. I have published machine-embroidery workshops online for www.workshopontheweb.com and www.fibreandstitch.com and also articles for Stitch Magazine, Sewing World and Classic Stitches.  My book, 'Fibredancing Book I', will be followed by the second in the series, showing how to make more complex jewellery.

Amberdextrous, a combination hairslide and necklace was accepted for entry into the 2005/06 Wearable Expressions Exhibition at the Palos Verdes Art Centre, California.

I am a founder member of Diverse Threads, a collective of independent textile artists who exhibit together.  I am presently producing work that is derived from my own photographs, inspired by nature, and intensely stitched. I am also working in felt and other fibres and continue to design more jewellery, and demonstrate and teach at needlecraft events and shows.  My work has been exhibited at KAF, Keighley, Back o the Shop Gallery in Terrington North Yorks, PVAC, California, The Platform Gallery, Clitheroe, Bar Lane Studios, York and The Craft & Design Centre, Bradford as well as other venues and events individually and as part of a group.

Ophidia.  A cuff and ring accepted for the 2008 Wearable Expressions Show.

Silver Vinyl hairslide with glass nuggets and faceted cabochon.

You can contact me at carol@fibredance.co.uk