Julia Windom
Bio
Embroidery Artist and Writer
Stories (2)
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Craft, Culture, and Curiosity
There isn’t anything richer in value than craft. To me, the word “craft” speaks of expertise, time, heritage, and dedication. As an embroidery artist, my dream is twofold. It is to pursue my craft and share with others its rich history. I started doing embroidery with very little guidance. I was taught some basic stitches and told to explore. When I moved to Kanazawa, Japan, I had the privilege to participate in a small embroidery class that taught the traditional embroidery of the region, Kaga Nui. In the lessons, I was introduced to the rules of the technique. And like many things in Japan's culture, there was a proper way to do everything. It was the total opposite of how I was taught. After I finished the introductory course, I was told that my future work would not be Kaga Nui. They went on to explained that I needed to complete the full training to claim to be a Kaga Nui artist. This class opened my eyes to the depth of the world of embroidery. And, the pride artists take in their craft.
By Julia Windom5 years ago in Wander
Floral Skins
I am a bit obsessed with tattoos, but I have a difficult time deciding what I want on my skin for the rest of my life. This led me to pursue a different type of needlework. I like to think of clothing as a chosen skin that we put on daily and embroidery as the tattoos of cloth. We choose our clothes according to our lifestyles, our personalities, our heritage, our generation, or our professions. We also change styles during different seasons of our lives. Sometimes, I feel like a different person depending on what I am wearing. It is our protection. Whether that is because it is snowing outside, or because tough clients are easier to face in a power suit. Embroidery is an embellishment to this layer of protection. It can be a monogram or a patch of where we have visited. It can be delicate lace or chunky crewelwork using wool. Embroidered clothing can be changed to fit our moods and activities.
By Julia Windom5 years ago in Lifehack
