Marie Wenham is an embroidery artist specialising in gold and crewel work. She previously trained at the Royal School of Needlework and now works as an embroidery artist, stylist’s assistant and seamstress.
How did you get into embroidery?
I learnt a few embroidery techniques by hand and by a sewing machine in college from a tutor to elevate my illustrations and paintings and fell completely in love with the medium. When it came to pick a university course I came across the Royal School of Needlework, I couldn’t believe there was a course completely dedicated to hand embroidery. It is the only hand embroidery degree course in the world! I applied with a small amount of embroidery work in my portfolio having applied to other universities for mixed media and illustration. They accepted me and the rest is history!
What are your favourite stitches and why?
There are so many! I love combining goldwork and crewelwork embroidery together so I will pick one from each. From goldwork it would have to be “s-ing” aka rope stitch, when it’s done right it’s so rewarding and a easy filler stitch once mastered and from crewelwork the bullion stitch, again once mastered its extremely easy, fills up gaps very quickly and has amazing texture to the rigidity it creates.
What stitches would you like to learn?
If I ever found the time I would love to learn lacework, I find myself watching videos of it being made all the time, their fingers move so quickly!
What other textiles would you like to explore?
I would love to explore the art of macrame, knotting threads together to create this beautiful decorative weave that’s really popular for wall hangings, I have bought small ones as gifts and they have been well received. I would like to experiment with knotting and add hand embroidery into the mix somewhere down the road.
What kind of images do you like stitching and why?
I tend to draw and stitch creatures that have phobias attached to them but giving them my own flowery twist on colour and textures in the hope of shining a light on their beauty.
Where do you buy your materials, thread and equipment from?
I buy my fabrics from A1 fabrics in Shepherds Bush Market, a family run business with almost everything stocked and great knowledge about what they stock. I do sometimes go into central London to buy from Cloth House which is just as good but pricier. I buy my goldwork solely from Golden Hinde, again another family run business that teaches and sells goldwork supplies. I buy my threads from the DMC range, craft fairs, car boot sales and the internet! I’m constantly covered in little threads!
How do you feel about sharing your work on Instagram?
I think Instagram is an amazing platform to share and connect with artists and people who appreciate it. It certainly has its flaws and the current algorithm is kicking everyone’s butts, but on the whole its a great app for inspiration, browsing, shopping and especially wasting time!
What other ways do you promote your work?
Pinterest is another platform where I promote myself, I find it a little less personal but its still a photo sharing app that I enjoy using. Word of mouth and referrals are where I get most of my leads.
Do you ever get worried people copying your designs?
Yes of course, I think all artists worry about having their ideas and designs stolen. It’s the risk we take when using an app like Instagram. Luckily IG has a great supportive community of artists and followers that band together and tend to know who the original idea belongs to.
Who are the three of your favourite embroidery artist to follow?
There are so many I could list, embroidery is such open medium these days and I love seeing how these artists approach the needle and thread. My first artist to follow would be Georgina Bellamy, her take on goldwork is something completely new, she’s combined the theory of thread painting to goldwork threads to create amazing three dimensional pieces. The second would have to be Danielle Clough, I would assume a lot people already know or are familiar with her work but her use of colour is a huge inspiration as well as her use of fabric which is often tennis rackets, fences and chicken wire. Lastly, Hannah Mansfield recently did a series of flowers and leaves made completely of goldwork techniques and formed together using stumpwork. She also makes wonderful unique bees for purchase.
Lastly, what do you love about embroidery?
There are many reasons why I love embroidery but the two most important ones are the therapy and the beauty of embellishment. I’m peaceful on the days when I stitch, completely caught up in the art I’m creating and I don’t want to go to bed, I want to stitch till my eyes can’t see anymore. Then I’m back at my desk as soon as I’m up, it’s a natural high for me to be making.
Follow Marie on Instagram and shop her work on Etsy.