Learn about contemporary goldwork

Penny Nickels continues her series on goldwork over on MrXStitch. Among the contemporary goldwork she features is this pomegranate design from Mary Corbet of Needle ‘n’ Thread. Penny notes that it looks as if it contains a bit of beadwork. I think the sparkle is created by a goldwork technique known as chip work: snipping twisted metal thread into tiny lengths — chips — and then attaching them to the embroidery as if they were beads. So, yeah — beadwork kinda! See more of Penny’s article, which shows many other lovely contemporary works. Or find out more about chip work from Mary’s blog.