Goldwork is a technique using various types of metal threads and wires to create a design. These may be combined with silk embroidery, or may be purely gold thread embroidery. There are many period examples, where the techniques were used on religious vestments, sweet bags, pouches and embroidered bookbindings
This was done as covers for a book. It is based on a 16th Century book, stitched by Elizabeth I, for her step-mother Catherine Parr. The leftmost version was done in the same style as the original using Elizabethan Braid Stitch. The other one used the same design, but was done with couched Jap and purl pearl to form the knotwork pattern.
The piece was my interpretation of one of the pieces from the Staffordshire hoard. it's mainly couched purl pearl and gold kid - see the article below for more details
A goldworked Pegasus, using a mix of techniques. The design was from Golden Hinde. I used this to made a padded lid for a keepsake box, given as a wedding present to some friends.
A pouch with a Fleur de Lis emblem. The emblem is couched Jap. The two circles are couched purl pearl. The pouch is based on a pattern from Margot Anderson
These bookmarks are my own design. The end of the bookmark is couched Jap, which is then stitched to a back piece and stuffed to make it 3 dimensional. The tail of the bookmark is a flat Maru-dai braid, where the braid changes to a circular braid to go round the end piece, then back to a flat braid. The two sections of flat briad are then stitched together. Further details on how to make this can be found on my "courses" page.
Here's a selection of other goldwork projects I have done - some are my own design, some are from examples in books or from kits.