Getting serious in embroidery/ textile arts career
Update: October 16, 2009
Hi everyone!
As you can read from my blog, although I did not get an apprenticeship this year, I have not given up on my dream of learning techniques from textile masters.
I just enrolled in an online tutorial in making tibetan silk thangkas or appliqué thangkas from www.silkthangka.com. With a regular job starting November 2009, I hope to finance embroidery and textile making courses myself. That is the great plan. lol!
Enjoy stitching everyone,
Vincent
http://worksofhands.wordpress.com/
Update: August 27, 2009
Hi everyone! I am now writing from a castle of a baron somewhere in Westfalen, Germany, where the workshop of this antique textile restorator is a few meters away.
I had a wonderful visit at the atelier and very enlightening chat with the restorator about what I want to do and some tips about how to go with my plans.
Restoration is a really serious job, collectors pay a lot for the restoration of their textiles. One of their most important work is a 2000 year old carpet from the owner of Hyatt hotels.
I already knew beforehand that I would have to dye the finest silk threads myself to match the antique colors.
And because I know that I am color-blind, I am not fit to work in the atelier. Nevertheless, I still want to see how restoration is done. The restorators were so friendly and they showed me and my friend what happens in the several cases they are working on. My friend is an artist who lives in the castle. She told the restorator about me and my passion for needlework and invited me to stay at the baron´s castle for a couple of nights, during my visit to the atelier.
The workshop does not only restore antique textile. They also catalog museum articles and reproduction.
During my visit, there was a set of Biedermeier chairs, each fully embroidered with a different needlepoint design. It is yet to be decided whether the owner wants to have them restored or reproduced. If they are to be reproduced, I would have to take over the stitching job. The atelier will produce the chart and the dye the wool themselves. If the owner decides to have the chairs repaired, the restorators will do the job.
Another service they offer is making museum exhibit display molds, on which textiles would be lay fitted. These are exactly cut to the pattern of the articles, and are made of steel covered in batting and velvet.
So I am not going to be an apprentice at the atelier. But I will still continue my search for that school or textile master who will train me.
Or I will have to be that master, that is inside each and everyone of us.
Besides that news, I would also like to share how I finally got contacts from the german embroidery guild. That there is indeed one and the members in Berlin would like to create a chapter in Berlin. The most active of these Berliner members paid me a visit last week and asked me how about joining together for a Berlin embroidery guild. It was a wonderful news. We will be able to support each other and start "waking" more embroiderers in Berlin, who are yet to discover their passion for embroidery.
I thought if I can´t find that stitching paradise here where I live, then I will have to create one myself. LOL!
I am learning a lot, about being patient about what is going to happen. meanwhile I can develop my own taste in design and colors. Just have fun stitching...
--vince
Hi! I am Vincent, 30 yo, living in Germany, born in the Philippines. I studied theater arts(performance major and backstage as costumes master or stage manager) and music (voice major), but never got to finish both of them. I tried getting into art school to major in painting, but my taste is too traditional for german art schools ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/vincentvaliente/sets/72157615373305915/ ) . This year, I started to think about being serious in having a career as an embroidery teacher and textile artist. Since 2004, I have been exploring various needlework techniques as a hobby learning from books and from a couple of mentors, who are so generous they did not charge me any fees at all. I thought if I am going to teach, I need to have a certificate or a diploma that I can teach embroidery, which means I should start paying for lessons. I thought, I could learn Japanese embroidery phases until I qualify for a teacher´s diploma. Aside from liking the techniques, I also like that it has a master-apprentice system. I live in Berlin and needlework is so "RIP" in Berlin. There is a Japanese embroidery teacher in Köln. She charges 500€ for Phase 1 course (4 days lesson) including materials. This is my idea of getting started, enrol in an embroidery school and get certified. Do you have more ideas how I could become an embroidery teacher? Are there more affordable courses around europe, if not in germany? Is it possible to just learn from books and offer courses later on without any diploma hanging on the wall of the studio?
Hi everyone!
As you can read from my blog, although I did not get an apprenticeship this year, I have not given up on my dream of learning techniques from textile masters.
I just enrolled in an online tutorial in making tibetan silk thangkas or appliqué thangkas from www.silkthangka.com. With a regular job starting November 2009, I hope to finance embroidery and textile making courses myself. That is the great plan. lol!
Enjoy stitching everyone,
Vincent
http://worksofhands.wordpress.com/
Update: August 27, 2009
Hi everyone! I am now writing from a castle of a baron somewhere in Westfalen, Germany, where the workshop of this antique textile restorator is a few meters away.
I had a wonderful visit at the atelier and very enlightening chat with the restorator about what I want to do and some tips about how to go with my plans.
Restoration is a really serious job, collectors pay a lot for the restoration of their textiles. One of their most important work is a 2000 year old carpet from the owner of Hyatt hotels.
I already knew beforehand that I would have to dye the finest silk threads myself to match the antique colors.
And because I know that I am color-blind, I am not fit to work in the atelier. Nevertheless, I still want to see how restoration is done. The restorators were so friendly and they showed me and my friend what happens in the several cases they are working on. My friend is an artist who lives in the castle. She told the restorator about me and my passion for needlework and invited me to stay at the baron´s castle for a couple of nights, during my visit to the atelier.
The workshop does not only restore antique textile. They also catalog museum articles and reproduction.
During my visit, there was a set of Biedermeier chairs, each fully embroidered with a different needlepoint design. It is yet to be decided whether the owner wants to have them restored or reproduced. If they are to be reproduced, I would have to take over the stitching job. The atelier will produce the chart and the dye the wool themselves. If the owner decides to have the chairs repaired, the restorators will do the job.
Another service they offer is making museum exhibit display molds, on which textiles would be lay fitted. These are exactly cut to the pattern of the articles, and are made of steel covered in batting and velvet.
So I am not going to be an apprentice at the atelier. But I will still continue my search for that school or textile master who will train me.
Or I will have to be that master, that is inside each and everyone of us.
Besides that news, I would also like to share how I finally got contacts from the german embroidery guild. That there is indeed one and the members in Berlin would like to create a chapter in Berlin. The most active of these Berliner members paid me a visit last week and asked me how about joining together for a Berlin embroidery guild. It was a wonderful news. We will be able to support each other and start "waking" more embroiderers in Berlin, who are yet to discover their passion for embroidery.
I thought if I can´t find that stitching paradise here where I live, then I will have to create one myself. LOL!
I am learning a lot, about being patient about what is going to happen. meanwhile I can develop my own taste in design and colors. Just have fun stitching...
--vince
Hi! I am Vincent, 30 yo, living in Germany, born in the Philippines. I studied theater arts(performance major and backstage as costumes master or stage manager) and music (voice major), but never got to finish both of them. I tried getting into art school to major in painting, but my taste is too traditional for german art schools ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/vincentvaliente/sets/72157615373305915/ ) . This year, I started to think about being serious in having a career as an embroidery teacher and textile artist. Since 2004, I have been exploring various needlework techniques as a hobby learning from books and from a couple of mentors, who are so generous they did not charge me any fees at all. I thought if I am going to teach, I need to have a certificate or a diploma that I can teach embroidery, which means I should start paying for lessons. I thought, I could learn Japanese embroidery phases until I qualify for a teacher´s diploma. Aside from liking the techniques, I also like that it has a master-apprentice system. I live in Berlin and needlework is so "RIP" in Berlin. There is a Japanese embroidery teacher in Köln. She charges 500€ for Phase 1 course (4 days lesson) including materials. This is my idea of getting started, enrol in an embroidery school and get certified. Do you have more ideas how I could become an embroidery teacher? Are there more affordable courses around europe, if not in germany? Is it possible to just learn from books and offer courses later on without any diploma hanging on the wall of the studio?
Tags: career, embroidery, school
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by worksofhands on -
Hi Elizabeth! thanks for the messages.
I admire Helen Stevens and her works. And I believe a Degree or qualification is not always necessary, because there are always exceptions. I don´t really think I am one of those lucky ones. They usually get their breaks. I think I am in a time, where I will soon decide whether to keep this as a hobby and change directions or continue reaching for that dream job.
I guess, what I am mainly complaining about is, that I live in a famous city where there are no masters/teachers of embroidery I could learn from. If I want to get apprenticeship in hand embroidery, I have to live far from the comforts of the city. I mean, embroiderers are so active in France, Italy and Spain. Why not Germany? Then I noticed, those neighbouring countries are basically Catholic. Does it really have a connection? Because...
I have made some more research. And I already got addresses around Germany for hand embroidery apprenticeship in ateliers (church-based), where they make vestments and other textile decors for the church. These workshops usually employ people from their homes, like the handicapped, deaf, orphans, etc.
These places are usually provincial or country. And far from city. I do not know how I will survive!! lol!
About RSN, yes, I fall under the international. I have lived in the last years mainly in Manila because I studied Music. During school breaks, I stay in Europe for at least 2 months. The rules in UCAS say I should have lived at least 3 years in EU from the time of application. If I had not known it, I would have go for the 7Kpounds. But my heart aches to see the extreme difference in fees. More than double. Please compare Non-EU and EU, undergraduate, foundation degree.
http://www.ucreative.ac.uk/index.cfm?articleID=22320&display=22321
It was fun daydreaming about going to a prestigious school, why not? lol!
I am so inspired as always, developing more ideas, where I could apply all my interests in one canvas.
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Permalink Reply by Elizabeth on -
There's not much going on here in the way of embroidery training either and I too live in a major city. There aren't even any decent shops here! Most of the training that is offered is far too contemporary for my tastes and I'm not interested in church work. RSN seems to be the one and only and I can't get to that either! Not exactly conveniently located for me.... Still, I'm not really that bothered about making a career in the art world, but if I was, I could be as upset about it as you are. I do feel for you!
Don't worry about the RSN prices. Stay in Germany building up your portfolio as you said and then you'll be an EU student OK.=) You might also want to actually contact them with your details (if you haven't already) as the terms tend to be 'ordinarily resident' in the particular country. It can get a bit hard to work out and can even work against UK citizens (a guy I started my degree in Chinese Studies with had to leave as, although he's a Brit, he'd lived in Hong Kong for years adn was charged international fees!). If you're studying abroad, but still home-based in Europe, that may make a difference. It could have something to do with permanent address. But do check it all out thoroughly before you give up hope.
Also, who says you're not to be one of the 'lucky ones'? They're not lucky, they just got on with it! Remember the old saying: You've got to be in it to win it! You won't make it in the embroidery world by deciding you can't and not trying! Just the same as I wouldn't have won a scholarship for which there was really tough competition if I'd thought 'I've got no chance' and not applied, right? So, be more positive!=)
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Permalink Reply by Jane on -
Hi Vincent, just been catching up on some threads and have been reading this one with interest. I wish you good luck in your plans. It would be wonderful to study at the RSN wouldn't it - maybe one of these years!
I know the Japanese embroidery tutor you mentioned a little, she attended classes at the same group in Bournemouth that I go to. If you do get a chance to study with Beate you'll be very lucky she is a fabulous embroiderer.
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Permalink Reply by worksofhands on
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Thanks for the words Jane!
I have been corresponding with Beate since 3 or 4years ago. My interest in japanese embroidery is still here. It is always the financial aspect that gets in the way.
I also recently discovered silk thangkas by Leslie. And I too, took interest in her technique, which she learned as an apprentice to a Tibetan artisan of silk thangkas for 3 years in India. Here is her website: http://www.silkthangka.com/
As soon as I get the amount, I will enroll in the courses of these textile artists/teachers.
And also, chinese silk embroidery. But since I still have not found any teacher on the technique, I might learn it from books and kits. This store in Paris has some kits: http://www.fildesoie.fr/
Right now, I might just get accepted as an apprentice to the Textile restorator. She has been busy and has not replied to my email for a long time. We are still agreeing on the exact date when I get to visit her studio, cause it is very far from Berlin. I have to plan it very well so I don´t have to waste much time and money.
So, yes, I might get a real job as an embroiderer, as apprentice to a textile restorator. It would be a dream job come true. But until it is already happening, I have no reason to celebrate. :)
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Permalink Reply by Kristina Graham on -
Good luck with your studies, you don"t always need certificates when you have talent.
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Permalink Reply by worksofhands on
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Thanks Kristina!
I already got a reply from another monastery 2 hours from Berlin. They would love to see my works, although they can´t offer apprenticeship at the moment because their workshop has no master embroiderer recently (the master will supervise the courses). Perhaps next year, they added. I might visit them soon, perhaps they can offer me some job I could do. The workshop manager told me how busy the embroiderers are with large on site projects, that the workshop is often closed. That sounds like there are real jobs out there.
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Permalink Reply by Judy B on -
Vincent,
Best of luck with this and the other leads. It certainly sounds like there are real jobs out there, and one of them will have your name on it.
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Permalink Reply by worksofhands on
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Update: August 27, 2009
Hi everyone! I am now writing from a castle of a baron somewhere in Westfalen, Germany, where the workshop of this antique textile restorator is a few meters away.
I had a wonderful visit at the atelier and very enlightening chat with the restorator about what I want to do and some tips about how to go with my plans.
Restoration is a really serious job, collectors pay a lot for the restoration of their textiles. One of their most important work is a 2000 year old carpet from the owner of Hyatt hotels.
I already knew beforehand that I would have to dye the finest silk threads myself to match the antique colors.
And because I know that I am color-blind, I am not fit to work in the atelier. Nevertheless, I still want to see how restoration is done. The restorators were so friendly and they showed me and my friend what happens in the several cases they are working on. My friend is an artist who lives in the castle. She told the restorator about me and my passion for needlework and invited me to stay at the baron´s castle for a couple of nights, during my visit to the atelier.
The workshop does not only restore antique textile. They also catalog museum articles and reproduction.
During my visit, there was a set of Biedermeier chairs, each fully embroidered with a different needlepoint design. It is yet to be decided whether the owner wants to have them restored or reproduced. If they are to be reproduced, I would have to take over the stitching job. The atelier will produce the chart and the dye the wool themselves. If the owner decides to have the chairs repaired, the restorators will do the job.
Another service they offer is making museum exhibit display molds, on which textiles would be lay fitted. These are exactly cut to the pattern of the articles, and are made of steel covered in batting and velvet.
So I am not going to be an apprentice at the atelier. But I will still continue my search for that school or textile master who will train me.
Or I will have to be that master, that is inside each and everyone of us.
Besides that news, I would also like to share how I finally got contacts from the german embroidery guild. That there is indeed one and the members in Berlin would like to create a chapter in Berlin. The most active of these Berliner members paid me a visit last week and asked me how about joining together for a Berlin embroidery guild. It was a wonderful news. We will be able to support each other and start "waking" more embroiderers in Berlin, who are yet to discover their passion for embroidery.
I thought if I can´t find that stitching paradise here where I live, then I will have to create one myself. LOL!
I am learning a lot, about being patient about what is going to happen. meanwhile I can develop my own taste in design and colors. Just have fun stitching...
--vince
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Permalink Reply by worksofhands on
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Visit my blog for more photos from my visit at the Stapeler Schloss in Havixbeck.
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Permalink Reply by Judy B on
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Vince,
Thank you for sharing your visit to the restorer, both here and on your blog. It would have been great to be there with you.
I am very glad you are finding a way to connect with real stitchers in your area.
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Permalink Reply by Aida Costa on -
How wonderful that you were given this invitation!! I saw the other photos on your blog - what a beautiful place.
I hope you're able to able to create a chapter in Berlin, best of luck! :)
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Permalink Reply by worksofhands on
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Update: October 16, 2009
Hi everyone!
As you can read from my blog, although I did not get an apprenticeship this year, I have not given up on my dream of learning techniques from textile masters.
I just enrolled in an online tutorial in making tibetan silk thangkas or appliqué thangkas from www.silkthangka.com. With a regular job starting November 2009, I hope to finance embroidery and textile making courses myself. That is the great plan. lol!
Enjoy stitching everyone,
Vincent
http://worksofhands.wordpress.com/
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