Kate Gwilliam
Welwyn garden city, Hertfordshire
I am the Queen of Sequins, and I love re-creating everyday objects in perfect detail out of embroidered sequins. My creations can range from the delightful friend Larry the Lobster to a packet of salt. I work entirely by hand and by hand-guided machine, and each piece I create is a work of art.
I bring a touch of whimsy and nostalgia to your home and bring the sparkle to your party. No celebration should be complete without a piece from me!
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A few favourite PIECEs
I am the Queen of Sequins, and I love re-creating everyday objects in perfect detail out of embroidered sequins. My creations can range from the delightful friend Larry the Lobster to a packet of salt. I work entirely by hand and by hand-guided machine, and each piece I create is a work of art.
Sequins and beads have always been a part of my embroidery practice. Even as a child, I was a bit of a magpie, collecting sparkly things from vintage trims and buttons to glassware. If it had a hint of sparkle, it magically appeared in my collection.
While working at a major High Street retailer, I found the lack of creativity in my design role draining. As a true hands-on creative, I needed to get back to making things. So, I went freelance and started designing for an embroidery studio to fulfil my craving for creativity. Freelance life has its ups and downs, and one Christmas, I created some hanging sequin avocados, which coincided with the avocado toast trend taking over the world. Without even advertising them, they sold pretty well. When I sold 5 to one customer in America, I quickly realised that this was my new path. I soon took on less freelance work and now work exclusively on my brand.
Everything that I embroider comes out of my studio in the U.K., and I make each piece myself. Inspiration for my creations can come from anywhere and everywhere, from supermarket aisles to vintage caviar tins. If it can be made in sequins and brings joy, humour, and nostalgic memories to people, it's almost certainly in my collection. I do have some help from the lovely #mumtern, who assists with fulfilling Christmas demand. Without her, my sequin dream would come to an abrupt halt!
My work has been featured in Marie Claire, Mollie Makes, and Cross Stitcher Magazine. I even created a sell-out embroidery kit during lockdown that sold out three times.
I have a few personal interests too. I enjoy gin, wine, and collecting all sorts of things. Currently, I'm into antique and vintage books on embroidery and nature. When I'm not sewing or collecting, you can often find me playing a game of Scrabble.