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Stephanie Burnham |
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I have always sewn, even as a small child at home with my mum, but my interest in all things ‘textile’ began when I was around 21 years old. I used to love visiting the antique fairs and shops looking at the embroidered band samplers, but on a hairdressers wage, looking was all I could afford. This prompted my mum to say ‘stitch one’, so I was marched off to our local department store to buy a kit! The moment I started to stitch it I was hooked.
I decided, after quite a few more kits and charts to enrol for an Adult Education course entitled Art & Design in Embroidery, I wanted to learn more and be stretched, and it was the inspirational tutor, Helen Price, who gave me the confidence to believe in my own achievements, and by the end of that year I had gained the courage and confidence to produce my own work.
I stayed on to take my City & Guilds in Embroidery, and clearly remember the ‘design days’, which in retrospect, I now realise, were so important.
Although a little daunting at the time, it taught me how to appreciate colour, shape, texture and patterns, giving me a thirst for inspirational ideas to base my work on.
I was then invited to teach at "The Country Cross-Stitcher" by the proprietor
Rosemary Sharman. We are now in our 10th year of workshops.
My first loves are Stumpwork and Beadwork, but I also teach many other techniques at the school.
I started beading quite unexpectedly, not long after the birth of our twins Sam and Josh back in 1997. Whilst attending an Embroiders Guild meeting in Letchworth one afternoon, the speaker, Sue Maguire, gave us a taster session on beading with Peyote stitch (which is still my favourite stitch to this day!), so I went along with my packet of beads and a needle, and after about half an hour I was hooked.
This one, inspirational afternoon changed my life forever, my idea of bliss is sitting with a mountain of beads, a needle and some Nymo thread, just playing with colour and texture, creating something totally new and innovative.
I had decided not to return to my Hairdressing career after the boys were born but to concentrate on my teaching career. I suppose the best thing about teaching is that you meet so many great people and have the joy of passing on knowledge whilst watching people achieve.
I also used this time to attend evening classes to gain my City & Guilds Adult Education teaching certificate; great fun and I learned such a lot!
My first design break came in 1999, up until then I had been teaching mostly at Woburn, but that summer, Sulgrave Manor approached me to teach Stumpwork for them at their annual stitching event in August. I am a great fan of the Manor having visited on several occasions with my camera.
I thought it would be nice to create some Stumpwork which was linked to the Manor, which I did in the form of some thistles. The workshop went well and I was pleased with how the design had worked.
I decided to send my design to Bea at ‘Classic Stitches’ to see if it might be considered for publication, and that’s how my design career started!
Since then I’ve had designs accepted for publication both here and in America. I’m proud of all my designs, but I was especially thrilled to have my beadwork accepted in the states, home of beading!
I continue to teach and design. Another special moment was being invited to teach at ‘The Great British Bead Show’ a national bi – annual event organized by The Beadworkers Guild, bringing together like minded people from all over the country. I am at present tutor coordinator for the guild.
My latest venture is ‘The Bead Scene’ a mail order bead company stocking unusual and diverse beads from around the world. As well as starting to ‘kit’ several of my designs for sale.
Finally, I must also add that without the support of my husband I wouldn’t be able to have the dream job I so enjoy!
You can contact Stephanie through her website www.thebeadscene.com
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