About
I am an archivist, information analyst, a proud spinster aunt, and I make stuff.
I started off studying photography, with a bit of ceramics and comparative religion on the side. At a loss for an occupation I then went to Library School (well, they called it the Faculty of Information Studies) for a Master's degree in Information Studies, specializing in Archives. Along the way I taught myself how to make beaded jewellery, and took classes in handbuilding jewellery and metalsmithing
I learned how to sew as a little girl, and had attempted some embroidery at various points in my life, but I wasn't satisfied working with other people's patterns. I eventually decided to give embroidery another try, using old illustrations as patterns.
My work as an archivist informs my embroidery, and so my first patterns were from historical sources like old anatomy textbooks and natural history compendia. I quickly moved on to vintage erotic and pornographic photographs, stitching delicately tinted nudes, frequently embellished with chiyogami (Japanese paper) appliques.
My love of chiyogami and costume history led me to start experimenting with small paper embroideries of vintage clothing and accessories. I started with simple corsets and handbags, but my work became progressively more complicated, encompassing parasols, men’s hairstyles, beards and moustaches. Eventually I began creating full dresses cut from various combinations of papers and patterns.
Each dress is unique, with the process of creating a pattern taking upwards of four hours. Some pieces are made up of close to 20 individual pieces of paper, carefully cut out and arranged together.
Most recently I have been working on a collection of animals, based on illustrations from old natural history books.
Upcoming
Bazaar of the Bizarre: Halloween Extravaganza, Parkdale Hall, Toronto: October 26, 2024, 11am-8pm
Art & Craft Shows
Dark Arts Market: Goth Pride Market, Ground Control, Toronto: June 22, 2024
Bazaar of the Bizarre: Circus Side Show, Parkdale Hall, Toronto: April 27, 2024
Bazaar of the Bizarre: Frost Bite, Parkdale Hall, Toronto: December 16, 2023
Roncesvalles United Church Christmas Arts & Crafts Show, RUC, Toronto: November 18, 2023
Bazaar of the Bizarre: Circus Side Show, Parkdale Hall, Toronto: April 29, 2023
Roncesvalles United Church Christmas Arts & Crafts Show, RUC, Toronto: November 19, 2022
Roncesvalles United Church Christmas Arts & Crafts Show, RUC, Toronto: November 20, 2021
One of a Kind Online, October 22-December 20, 2020
One of a Kind Show and Sale, Enercare Centre, Exhibition Place, Toronto: November 26-December 1, 2019
Etsy Made in Canada 2019, MaRS building, Toronto: September 28, 2019
Toronto Etsy Street Team Midsummer Market 2019, Campbell House, Toronto: June 22, 2019
One of a Kind Show and Sale, Enercare Centre, Exhibition Place, Toronto: March 27 to March 31, 2019
One of a Kind Show and Sale, Enercare Centre, Exhibition Place, Toronto: March 28-April 1, 2018
Etsy Made in Canada 2018, MaRS building, Toronto: September 29, 2018
Toronto Etsy Street Team Christmas Marketplace, St. Stephen-in-the Fields, Toronto: December 16, 2017
PINK XMAS, The 519 Community Centre, Toronto: December 9 & December 10, 2017
Etsy Made in Canada 2017, MaRS building, Toronto: September 23, 2017
Toronto Etsy Street Team Midsummer Market, Campbell House, Toronto: June 17, 2017
PINK Market, Gladstone Hotel, Toronto, June 18, 2017
One of a Kind Show and Sale, Enercare Centre, Exhibition Place, Toronto: March 29 to April 2, 2017
Toronto Etsy Street Team Christmas Marketplace, St. Stephen-in-the Fields, Toronto: December 17, 2016
PINK XMAS, The 519 Community Centre, Toronto: December 3 & December 4, 2016
Etsy Team '416Hustler' Holiday Market, The Great Hall, 1087 Queen Street West, Toronto: Sunday, November 6, 2016
Etsy Made in Canada 2016, MaRS building, Toronto: September 24, 2016
Etsy Made in Canada 2015, MaRS building, Toronto: September 26, 2015
Craft Ontario Show, Artscape Wychwood Barns, 601 Christie Street, Toronto: October 9-October 11, 2015
Exhibitions
The Thread of the Story: When Artifacts Inspire Art, Bruce County Museum & Cultural Centre, Southampton: January 20-April 30, 2024
UnNatural History, TEST Gallery, Toronto: October 5-November 2, 2017
The Sex Show, Gallery 1313, Toronto: February 18-March 1, 2015
Stitch Fetish 3, The Hive Gallery & Studios, Los Angeles: February 7-February 28, 2015
Stitch Fetish 2, The Hive Gallery & Studios, Los Angeles: February 8-March 1, 2014