Exhibitor Insights: Daisy Sheldon Embroidery

Posted on January 2, 2015 at 7:15 pm. by kiki. Categories - Accessories, Bespoke, Bristol Event, Exhibitor Insights, Lingerie, London Event, Modern Vintage, Uncategorized, Veils, Vintage. Total of no comments in the discussion.

Oh Hi!

I was sorely tempted to write ‘hai’ then - because people keep sending it to me and its amusing me a fair bit. It also makes me feel as though I missed out somehow when everyone else got hit with the trendy stick! I have no idea where it came from!

Anyhow, rambling over, I hope you guys had fab new years celebrations. Its back to it now for us as we get all of our ducks in line for the Spring shows and boy oh boy I cannot wait for them to start. Our first show of the year last Spring was Bristol - it poured as we were all setting up but it made for one of the best fairs as it was so lovely and cosy inside the venue. Other than that it also meant we were all rather excited and the atmosphere just carried through the rest of the day. We had so much fun and as with all the shows, I just cannot wait to be back amongst it!

And so, with the pretty just around the corner, I’d like to take a moment to introduce to you one of our most recent Chosen family, Daisy Sheldon. Daisy is going to be joining us for both our London and Bristol events and she completely encapsulates all that we believe in and work hard to discover and share with you. Not only is she uber talented but her style and touch on every single piece of her work is well informed, the detailing just perfect and is just so darn pretty.

Daisy we salute you! Theres just something about Daisy’s work that is just so perfect it makes us want it all - theres only one word fitting for it really - exquisite. She’s definitely one to watch this one so before we loose her to fame, here’s some info about this special lady who’s set to touch the lives of so many with her work. xo

……….

Hey Daisy! So please, tell us a bit more about what it is that you do?
I offer a bespoke embroidery service, working with clients from concept to design and production on a one-to-one basis. I specialise in bridal and lingerie, creating beautiful and unique veils.

Each wedding veil and lingerie set from the collection is lovingly handmade to the specific requirements of the bride. I use specialist embroidery machines, including the Cornely and the Irish, a freehand embroidery machine which ‘draws’ with stitch, as well as embellishing with hand stitching and beading. I also offer a completely bespoke service to create a unique wedding veil.

The perfect family heirloom.

What inspired you to start doing what you do?
I went to art foundation in Cheltenham and was set on pursuing a career in photography. I was then introduced to textiles by my tutor Matthew Harris, who showed me embroidery, which changed everything and I was soon creating my own embroidered lace and experimenting with embroidering onto paper. I then discovered the BA Hons embroidery course at Manchester Metropolitan University, the last remaining embroidery course in the country. I adored my time there. Whilst in my final year, a bride approached me and asked me to make her wedding veil, which is where it all began! After graduating, I worked with Phillipa Lepley Couture which exposed me to the bridal industry. Whilst I was there I saw the magical process of creating beautiful, meticulously and immaculately made dresses from start to finish. I fell in love with the idea of creating something exquisite and intricate for brides, that would be treasured and passed on down generations. I am proud of carrying the banner for a craft that could creep into decline and keeping alive British craftsmanship!

What inspires your designs?
I come from a family of collectors. We collect old and vintage things from 1920’s beaded bags to vintage silk scarves and fawn figurines, surrounding ourselves with an eclectic cabinet of curiosities.
As a result, I have always been inspired by vintage object trouves and textiles. My bridal range encapsulates vintage inspiration with contemporary design.
Natural forms are also a huge inspiration. My father is a keen gardener and plants beautiful displays of flowers in the garden. A hand picked posy sitting in a china teacup can be quite a good starting point for my work. I love examining the flowers, the form of their petals or the way a stem grows.

Any loves / likes?

Scouring flea markets and vintage fairs for treasures.
Going for adventures on my vintage style shopper bike.
Downton Abbey - the costumes are just exquisite.

What you like about working in the wedding industry?
I love working with people on a one to one basis and getting to know each brides’ style, loves and interests. Helping them create their perfect wedding veil for their wedding day and materialising all of their ideas and dreams is invaluable to me. Seeing the pictures is so lovely! I also love meeting other creative people in the industry with similar aesthetics and enthusiasm. I couldn’t ask for a better career, it is never work and I feel so honoured to be part of someones wedding day.

What makes your work different?
The veils and lingerie are embroidered using a Cornely machine, a beautiful old rare 1920’s machine which creates a decorative chain stitch. She is named Beryl after her original owner Beryl Johnson, who wrote one of the only books on Cornely machines ‘Advanced Embroidery Techniques’. The machine was then passed on to renowned textile artist Karen Nicol and whilst working with her last year, I spotted Beryl in the corner of the room with a sheet over her. I had been looking for a cornely machine since graduation (they are extremely rare) and felt that it was fate that Karen happened to have one that she was looking to sell. So Beryl came to live in my studio in Cheltenham. Being nearly 100 years old, she needed a bit of tlc, so I have kitted her out with some new shoes and needles and now she sings away creating perfect stitches and beautiful veils.

Come along to our Bristol and London fairs to meet Daisy and speak with her directly about her bike, Beryl and Downton Abbey! (Bristol - February 1st, London - March 29th). You’ll catch me hanging around mooning over her work! xo

www.daisysheldon.co.uk

Share this post on