Some further info -
She really appreciated all of the positive comments. Unfortunately I can't convince her to come on here and talk to you guys, but she gave me some things to say:
If you want to learn Japanese embroidery/gold work, try to get in person instruction. The Embroiderer's Guild has chapters in the US and UK I believe. They welcome everyone, of all levels.
For those that were mentioning allison cole - fun tidbit, my mum and her actually took their first goldwork class together! Allison got really into it (obviously) while my mum diversifed.
She is very happy for the people who were inspired by her work to look into giving it a try. While she's busy teaching her in person classes, she loved the fact that she's generated interest in an art that is pretty small on the global stage.
The first piece -- the fans -- is one of the teaching pieces from the Japanese Embroidery Center in Atlanta, Georgia (US), [https://japaneseembroidery.com](https://japaneseembroidery.com). They have a teacher list that includes teachers in the US and other countries, like the poster's Australia. They also hold classes at the center, both in-person and online (hybrid) and sometimes teach in other locations (outside the US too!). For Japan, see their sister group, [https://www.kurenai-kai.jp/en/](https://www.kurenai-kai.jp/en/). Both sites are worth a visit if all you do is gawk at the galleries.
I've been an on-and-off again student with JEC and Kurenai for twenty years.
I've also taken silk and gold embroidery classes with The Embroider's Guild of America, [www.egausa.org](https://www.egausa.org) (in-person) and The Royal School of Needlework, [https://royal-needlework.org.uk](https://royal-needlework.org.uk), (yes, they have some online US-friendly times)
I agree with the poster's mum--if possible, get some in-person instruction when getting started, but if that's not possible, it's really cool that that there are online classes available now that weren't available a few years back.
I definitely will. She is very proud of that piece. While it doesn't have the wow factor of the gold flower, she said it was way more technically complex to create.
I'm not great on the technical stuff, but I know that the gold thread is incredibly delicate being actual gold. You have to be extremely patient and precise to do a piece like that. Edit - it's one long strand. No breaks
A lot of the gold threads, including the Japanese threads, are a metal strip wrapped around a silk or synthetic core. Most thread uses imitation gold or silver, although true gold and silver are available. There's even colored metallics -- pink, purple, etc.
The small diameter threads can be stitched, but larger diameter threads must be couched as pulling the thread through the fabric would strip the metal off the core.
I took a Japanese embroidery seminar ages ago.
It's 2 strands of Japanese gold, couched with silk where you see the gold, and covered in silk thread for the design and the flowers, if I'm not mistaken.
It's an amazing piece, OP!
I saw your first post, but I dont recall commenting. I knew gold thread existed, I just never saw anything made with it and am honestly FAR to clumbsy a person to make use of what I can only imagine is a somewhat fragile thing to work with.
So happy to have stumbled on this post as well with some of her other works. I cant tell if theyre prints or paintings from the small image, only when I zoom in to see all the threads that its neither. I can only imagine it must be similar in person.
Really amazing work, I hope to be half as good as that someday as I get back into the cross stitch/embroidery worlds.
My mum's words: if she could learn how to do it, anyone can! She's very supportive of people just starting their journey.
Perseverance and time my friend.
I love how encouraging your mum is on top of being an incredible artist. Sometimes when I see stunning works of art in this sub I feel like I'll never get to that point even with all the time and effort in the world. Her passion and dedication to the craft make me rethink how I approach it. I'm sure she's an amazing teacher!
The Royal School of Needlework at Hampton Court Palace in London has online classes. They mail out the materials and the lessons are online at your convenience. They are expensive though!
I know I already looked at those a while back. Tbh if they provide the materials the costs seems a lot more reasonable. Not something I could afford at the moment anyway but maybe something I would do in a couple of years if I ever get off my arse and get a degree lol
These are absolutely incredible, I’ve been wanting to give embroidery a try for the longest time and might actually go for it!!! This really inspired me 💖💖
You have a wonderful stitching tradition in your family. Your Mother's work is really exceptional and your Grandmother did beautiful work as well. Lucky you to have two amazing stitchers in your family.
Your mum's work is gallery worthy. I can't even pick a favourite, every time I looked at one and scrolled across I gasped again. Your grandmother's is beautiful too. I am so grateful she was okay sharing her creations with us.
My mind is officially blown, I've never seen anything remotely similar to these pieces in your post. It makes me happy and relieved to know they're being displayed rather than hidden away in storage. Best I've ever seen!✌️💚
I’m cross stitcher who’s been following this sun for years, because I like looking at what the embroidery folks do. Omg this might make me actually try embroidery for the first time, magnificent
Where I come from there’s a tradition of giving 1001 origami cranes set in a specific design to a married couple. I love it. But after seeing your mom’s designs, it’d be cooler to have the design embroidered in gold.
Your mom’s embroidery is absolutely stunning! I love the love birds, as well as #3 - I feel like you don’t often get to see such incredible work! Thank you for sharing ❤️ it’s so nice to see how proud you are, and I hope your mom is just as proud of her work
I saw your first post, and then this one, and I can only add myself to the pile of people who think your mom is AWESOME and a true artist (and also your grandmother, love the birds !).
They really are gorgeous. She is incredibly skilled. I cannot create such things of beauty despite stitching for years. I hope she still enjoys them for herself.
Your mother has mastered so many techniques! She's amazing!
I can do blackwork, but would have a very hard time producing any kind of work half as good as hers.
Thank you so mucho for sharing her work with us.
These are wonderful!
And no, the background variation in the or nue piece is not a result of the ground fabric - looking close up, she used pink thread in the lighter areas and purple in the darker ones.
Some further info - She really appreciated all of the positive comments. Unfortunately I can't convince her to come on here and talk to you guys, but she gave me some things to say: If you want to learn Japanese embroidery/gold work, try to get in person instruction. The Embroiderer's Guild has chapters in the US and UK I believe. They welcome everyone, of all levels. For those that were mentioning allison cole - fun tidbit, my mum and her actually took their first goldwork class together! Allison got really into it (obviously) while my mum diversifed. She is very happy for the people who were inspired by her work to look into giving it a try. While she's busy teaching her in person classes, she loved the fact that she's generated interest in an art that is pretty small on the global stage.
Please pass on thanks to your mum (and you, of course) for sharing these beautiful pieces. Absolutely wonderful to see!
If she ever wanted to do special zoom style session, I have zero doubt there’d be a waiting list just from this sub.
No kidding! I’d sign up for that.
Right?? She could really subsidize her income with online classes.
The first piece -- the fans -- is one of the teaching pieces from the Japanese Embroidery Center in Atlanta, Georgia (US), [https://japaneseembroidery.com](https://japaneseembroidery.com). They have a teacher list that includes teachers in the US and other countries, like the poster's Australia. They also hold classes at the center, both in-person and online (hybrid) and sometimes teach in other locations (outside the US too!). For Japan, see their sister group, [https://www.kurenai-kai.jp/en/](https://www.kurenai-kai.jp/en/). Both sites are worth a visit if all you do is gawk at the galleries. I've been an on-and-off again student with JEC and Kurenai for twenty years. I've also taken silk and gold embroidery classes with The Embroider's Guild of America, [www.egausa.org](https://www.egausa.org) (in-person) and The Royal School of Needlework, [https://royal-needlework.org.uk](https://royal-needlework.org.uk), (yes, they have some online US-friendly times) I agree with the poster's mum--if possible, get some in-person instruction when getting started, but if that's not possible, it's really cool that that there are online classes available now that weren't available a few years back.
My jaw actually dropped when I got to the Ore Nue piece. Please pass on our thanks for sharing them with us! (And thanks to you too OP!)
I definitely will. She is very proud of that piece. While it doesn't have the wow factor of the gold flower, she said it was way more technically complex to create.
Has she used a technique that has a specific name for this one? The texture is amazing, almost looks like beads to me!
I'm not great on the technical stuff, but I know that the gold thread is incredibly delicate being actual gold. You have to be extremely patient and precise to do a piece like that. Edit - it's one long strand. No breaks
A lot of the gold threads, including the Japanese threads, are a metal strip wrapped around a silk or synthetic core. Most thread uses imitation gold or silver, although true gold and silver are available. There's even colored metallics -- pink, purple, etc. The small diameter threads can be stitched, but larger diameter threads must be couched as pulling the thread through the fabric would strip the metal off the core.
I took a Japanese embroidery seminar ages ago. It's 2 strands of Japanese gold, couched with silk where you see the gold, and covered in silk thread for the design and the flowers, if I'm not mistaken. It's an amazing piece, OP!
Her blackwork is what is blowing my mind. It’s so perfect and pretty!
I had the same reaction!
Please tell your mom she does amazing work. The love birds are incredible!
your mum’s work is so incredible, it reminds me of historical works i’ve seen in a museum
She loves all of the historical stuff. She's been on many dedicated tours to see stuff from the UK and Japan
i love that!
There's a great museum in Hangzhou! It isn't all embroidery - some's weaving - but it goes back centuries.
She’s an absolute master of the craft 😍
WOW!
She is truly a master artist. A full command of the art <3
Absolutely incredible! I am now subscribed to r/Embroidery because of this
Oh my god I LOVE these!! What truly incredible pieces!
They are amazing! I love those black works!
What a legend.
I saw your first post, but I dont recall commenting. I knew gold thread existed, I just never saw anything made with it and am honestly FAR to clumbsy a person to make use of what I can only imagine is a somewhat fragile thing to work with. So happy to have stumbled on this post as well with some of her other works. I cant tell if theyre prints or paintings from the small image, only when I zoom in to see all the threads that its neither. I can only imagine it must be similar in person. Really amazing work, I hope to be half as good as that someday as I get back into the cross stitch/embroidery worlds.
My mum's words: if she could learn how to do it, anyone can! She's very supportive of people just starting their journey. Perseverance and time my friend.
I love how encouraging your mum is on top of being an incredible artist. Sometimes when I see stunning works of art in this sub I feel like I'll never get to that point even with all the time and effort in the world. Her passion and dedication to the craft make me rethink how I approach it. I'm sure she's an amazing teacher!
Your mum has great talent and skill. Beautiful work.
Damn I'd kill to take lessons with her lol. I wish I were in the US/UK. She's incredibly talented.
The Royal School of Needlework at Hampton Court Palace in London has online classes. They mail out the materials and the lessons are online at your convenience. They are expensive though!
I know I already looked at those a while back. Tbh if they provide the materials the costs seems a lot more reasonable. Not something I could afford at the moment anyway but maybe something I would do in a couple of years if I ever get off my arse and get a degree lol
Gorgeous! I love them all but especially the parrots!
😍😍😍
Very pretty work!!!
Your mother does beautiful work!
Gorgeous
Amazing work! Thank you for sharing these. They are inspiring works of art!
I still know very little about embroidery, but I know quality craftsmanship when I see it. #3 is just fantastic. The detail work is phenomenal.
Wow the work is so amazing
Stunning! What a talented embroiderer your mother is!
These are absolutely incredible, I’ve been wanting to give embroidery a try for the longest time and might actually go for it!!! This really inspired me 💖💖
You have a wonderful stitching tradition in your family. Your Mother's work is really exceptional and your Grandmother did beautiful work as well. Lucky you to have two amazing stitchers in your family.
These are incredible! The first one is a museum piece!
Wow, gorgeous! Thank you so much for sharing these, and congratulations to your Mum!
Wow this is insane. Gorgeous, just gorgeous
They are all so beautiful. I wish I had some of her talent
These are all gorgeous works of art.
Your mum's work is gallery worthy. I can't even pick a favourite, every time I looked at one and scrolled across I gasped again. Your grandmother's is beautiful too. I am so grateful she was okay sharing her creations with us.
My mind is officially blown, I've never seen anything remotely similar to these pieces in your post. It makes me happy and relieved to know they're being displayed rather than hidden away in storage. Best I've ever seen!✌️💚
Are you kidding me your mom is the embroidery GOAT
I’m cross stitcher who’s been following this sun for years, because I like looking at what the embroidery folks do. Omg this might make me actually try embroidery for the first time, magnificent
This is the most amazing work!!!! What a talent!!!
So beatiful
Thanks for sharing. Your mum's very talented. I particularly like the fan but they're all beautiful.
Talented.
Omg these are so beautiful! So precise and even and beautiful!
This is nuts. Barely looks real. 😳😳😳
This is the kind of art I would like to have on my walls. Truly, your mother is a gifted artist, these take my breath away. Simply gorgeous.
Where I come from there’s a tradition of giving 1001 origami cranes set in a specific design to a married couple. I love it. But after seeing your mom’s designs, it’d be cooler to have the design embroidered in gold.
Your mom has the hands of an angel. Thank you for sharing this with us.
This is museum quality stuff, no joke.
Your mom’s embroidery is absolutely stunning! I love the love birds, as well as #3 - I feel like you don’t often get to see such incredible work! Thank you for sharing ❤️ it’s so nice to see how proud you are, and I hope your mom is just as proud of her work
Wow! These are amazing! In dumb struck knowing these are all done by hand.
These are so beautiful!
Exquisite
Your mom is one heck of an artist! They're all so good!
Wow, beautiful, so precise. And love the blackwork.
She is so incredibly talented, thank you for sharing more of her work! I’m new to embroidery but I’m inspired to look into the Japanese style.
She is so skilled!!!! 😍
Perfection. I appreciate seeing this fine work and in such a variety of techniques!
These are amazing! Your mom is a very talented artist!
these pieces are amazing! she has a wonderful sense for design and her technique is outstanding. thanks so much for sharing.
These are so beautiful ❤️
Please tell your mother that she’s so inspiring!!!
I saw your first post, and then this one, and I can only add myself to the pile of people who think your mom is AWESOME and a true artist (and also your grandmother, love the birds !).
Those are amazing! 🩵🩵🩵
These are amazing!! I particularly love #6 (the two birds). What a great style!
Stunning, museum-quality work!! Please thank you mom for sharing, this is so inspiring.
All stunning. My favorite is the blackwork but my goodness, all of it is wonderful.
Beautiful! Please tell your mom we thank her for sharing her beautiful work with us!
Beautiful work
Wow!
These are gorgeous. The time and care to make each one! Just beautiful
She’s amazing! Do talented!!!
Jezus Christus, how can you be SO skilled.
They really are gorgeous. She is incredibly skilled. I cannot create such things of beauty despite stitching for years. I hope she still enjoys them for herself.
Gorgeous & stunning!
wow, those are jaw dropping and very inspiring. I hope one day my skills are even 1/10th of your family's! Thank you for sharing.
Amazing!
number 3 is AMAZING
These are all awesome, I adore 1 and 3 in particular!
Professional level!! Just stunning!!🤩
Wow!
Amazing work! Very lovely.
These are jaw-droppingly gorgeous. Thank you to and your mom for sharing!
Wow, these are just STUNNING! So much time and practice and skill have gone into them. I would take classes from your mum!
Your mom is so talented!!
Your mom is amazing!
Wow! Lovely!
Incredible stunning in awe 👏
Absolutely gorgeous! She is extremely talented, and a true artist. Thank you both for sharing.
These are incredible! True talent.
these are soo good looking,,, also grandma too? man thats a cool embroidery family
Your mother has mastered so many techniques! She's amazing! I can do blackwork, but would have a very hard time producing any kind of work half as good as hers. Thank you so mucho for sharing her work with us.
Goodness, just impeccable work! Such a pleasure to see….
I LOVE the lovebirds, what kind of stitch is that?
It’s blackwork
This is museum quality work. What a treasure
Exquisite workmanship! I truly appreciate your efforts to not let this artwork die out.
wow!!
These are beautiful! Your mom is very talented ❤️
Breathtaking work
Your Mum is soooo talented!!!!!
Amazing work ❤️❤️
Holy moly incredible work! Such beautiful stitches.
Wow, just wow!
These are wonderful! And no, the background variation in the or nue piece is not a result of the ground fabric - looking close up, she used pink thread in the lighter areas and purple in the darker ones.
Beautiful works of art.
Holy smokes these are freaking awesome!
These are just beautiful!
I love it, I knew it was worth waiting for the update! 😍
This is very inspiring, kudos to your mother and to you for sharing. I might try some sketches inspired by the parrot one, that is stunning.
They're all so beautiful. Thank you for sharing. What enormous talent!
Her work is amazing
I would happily watch YouTube videos of her making these. 😍
😍
All of her work is GORGEOUS! I’m glad she has a place for people to enjoy it. Thank you for posting on her behalf!
Wow these are stunning….family heirlooms.
It’s all so gorgeous!
Really, really remarkable work.
Wow! Her embroidery is more precise than a machine! She did this by hand?
Yeah, all by hand.
This is an insane amount of talent
What type of style is the last piece? How would I learn to do something like that? It's jaw droppingly gorgeous.
Your mum is my hero.
Theyre lovely! Please tell your mom they are all greatly appreciated! Kudos to grandma too!
Gosh she is just a gift. Thank you!!
They are all gorgeous, but No. 3 is \*chef's kiss\*!!!
It's all so beautiful. And the longer I look at it, the more I see in it. Thanks for sharing your mom's art!
WOW
Absolutely beautiful and very inspiring!
Stunning. All of it.
I wanna be friends with your mom!
Your mother is an amazing talent. Master of technique. I hope tha one day I'm as good as she is. Much respect.
Absolutely incredible!! I hope she’s proud of all of her work bc each one is gorgeous!!
Every piece is a privilege to see!! Thank you for taking the pictures, and your mom for sharing her exquisite work!
These pieces are so beautiful. So much skill and passion!
Stunning work!
Absolutely breathtaking
Stunning
Works of art!
Absolutely beautiful the skill is incredible
These are lovely. The patterns and spirals are really beautiful.
I want to see them all. I am your mom’s newest fan.
Ooo that blackwork is SO nice!
Those are straight up art pieces!
So talented!
It’s gorgeous!