Beatrice Mayfield
Beatrice Mayfield specialises in hand embroidered textiles using a range of traditional embroidery techniques and processes combined with hand print. Intricate areas of stitch, embellishment or raised work provide pattern and texture and all work incorporates a high level of craftsmanship with contemporary design.
She produces a range of jewellery and accessories, including brooches, neckpieces and scarves. There is a long tradition within textiles and particularly embroidery of re- appropriation. The ‘good’ part of a garment being cut down and re-used; appliques that can be moved to another garment; changeable collars or cuffs used for ‘best’. Small pieces of decoration that lift a garment, when it is impractical or unaffordable to have the whole piece covered. Her work fits into this history, the wearer can add embellishment where and when they want through a brooch or a neckpiece.
She is interested in exploring what textile jewellery can be, questioning how pieces are worn and where there are cross overs between garments & jewellery. Hand embroidery techniques are always at the centre of these designs, creating the texture & colour, normally provided by precious metals and gems. She explores the use of non-precious & unconventional materials to create heirlooms of the future. All inspiration comes from the landscape, normally that of London where she is based.
Beatrice is also one third of LOT, a collaborative project with jewellers, Sarah Pulvertaft & Jed Green. They started working together in 2017 & have shown at London Craft Week in 2018, Collect Open in 2019 & recently presented a new piece for Crafts Alive at Rodmarton Manor commissioned by Gloucestershire Guild.
