The UCA’s deadline to apply for the BA (Hons) Hand Embroidery is on 15 January and we look forward to welcoming a new group of Degree Students in September.  This month we meet RSN Degree Graduate 2017 Bethany Duffy, who tells us how she has successfully developed her business through the Covid pandemic.

“Following my graduation from the BA (Hons) Hand Embroidery Degree in 2017, I started working on a commission basis.  After realising how much I enjoyed this, I made it the main part of my practice when creating ’Bethany Duffy Embroidery’.

Personalised pet portraits are a huge part of my work, something that I never thought I would explore or be able to do!  Working mostly with thread painting, I create realistic pieces, from portraits to venues.  Alongside my commission work, I create bespoke plastic pollution art, using Raised Work embroidery.  I create striking pieces that can be decorative but also convey an important message.

2020 created a lot of struggles for my practice, especially in March, and I quickly realised that I needed to think and adapt.  I started creating small token letterbox gifts that people could send directly to loved ones, which I sent far and wide across the country to people in every walks of life.  I also had time to create embroidery kits, something I had never had the chance to do before. I have created ’Drawing in the Sand’ and ’Experimental Shell’ – two really interesting and different kits that I can expand on in the future. Both of these new aspects to my business launched in the summer, and the kits are available in my Etsy Shop.

I feel very fortunate to have been able to grow throughout the past year, launching my first range of printed embroidered Christmas cards.  After having huge success with these, I am launching a whole range of embroidered printed cards, for birthdays, anniversaries and weddings.

The majority of my work is so personal and unique.  With the ‘Shop Small, Shop Independent’ movement, I hand created a phenomenal number of pieces leading up to Christmas that were gifted to loved ones across the globe.  It is a true privilege to be able to create such pieces for people and provide them as presents to offer a loved one they have not seen for some time due to the pandemic.

Over the years, I have worked a lot with bespoke christening and baptism gowns, creating gowns with lace and Whitework embroidery to produce perfect family heirlooms, which is something I want to grow and build on in the future.  In 2021, I will look forward and remember to take time to build on my practice – 2020 taught me to stop, and I now recognise and appreciate how beneficial and rich this has been to me.”

We wish Bethany every success in 2021 and look forward to seeing how she develops her art and business.  You can follow Bethany on Instagram.

If you are interested in our Degree in Hand Embroidery course, please attend our forthcoming Virtual Open Day at 6pm on Wednesday 6 January or 2pm on Wednesday 13 January.  Book your place here.  

Read more about our Degree Course