Artist Statement

I design and create luxurious boxes, by layering fabrics and papers with intricate hand and machine embroidery, combining texture and detail through sensitive heat manipulation, print and delicate cutwork by hand.

Inspired by a journey of discovery into my Great Grandfather's diaries from Lancashire in the 1920's, especially the curiosity shops, adverts, English flowers and cherished heirlooms mentioned, all which bare a story from the time, every nostalgic box captures attention with it's own imaginative character, inventive media and varied purpose.

Although inspired by something quite personal originally, each end design becomes it's own, special to it's keeper. Made to treasure, the boxes open out beautifully as an elegant, ornamental interior work of art, or can be closed to hide secrets or collect precious keepsakes and memories in. And, of course, they can make a splendid gift to treat a friend or contain a present and celebrate a special occasion, but you may find the box itself more enchanting than what's inside...

Every box is individually handmade ensuring each one is unique, with it's own name. 'Imperfections' (such as loose threads, pencil marks from freehand drawing) in the work are imperative to my methods, and are intended to be characteristics of an exclusive piece. Domestic techniques are essential to my working ethos, with all work created in my small home studio, no fancy machinery - just me and a very old Bernina, and Photoshop for designing my own old style imagery.

Each box is finished with a hand embroidered tag which can be personalised for the new owner. I also handcraft brooches and greetings cards.

Since graduating in 2007 I have won several awards including the £1,500 Embroiderers' Guild Scholarship Award ('08/'09) and The Creative Leicestershire Award ('09) of £2,000. I have exhibited extensively including at The Knitting & Stitching Shows and The Victoria & Albert Museum. My work has featured in Selvedge, Crafts and Embroidery magazines. In 2009 I was selected as an artist advisor for 'Artists' Taking The Lead' for the 2012 Olympics, awarding one artist with half a million pounds to create an art project to celebrate the Olympics.



My techniques have attracted fascination in viewers which is difficult to convey in a photo - please view the What's On page to see where you can see my work first hand if you'd like!


Website Design & Images © Linda Marie Young 2010