Lindsay Taylor creates accessories that are often made from highly textured layers of embroidery, felt, beaded and/or batik materials that are transformed when melded together. Please click on the photos to see great close-up views.
I understand that you began your career making custom bridal gowns. How is it that you evolved from dress making to the making of jewelry and sculptures?
I love working in color, wearing color, and having color all around. I realized early on while making bridal gowns that most brides want to get married in ivory and don't really want elaborate embroidery on their gowns. Open any local newspaper and look at the brides; they all look very similar. That is not what I had set out to do when I started my business.
From this time on I decided to make smaller things. I started making bags and scarves. With help and advice from the Craft Council, my work has become more three dimensional. This has evolved over time. The first three dimensional piece was the poppy cup and saucer, and then came the cabbage shoe.
Once an idea is in my head, I think to myself, "how I can make it?" Nothing is drawn on paper and I never make samples. I just go for it with the sewing machine.
Can you tell me what inspired you to create shoe sculptures? These are my favorite because they are so fanciful and lovely, plus, the flowers are so lifelike.
Living next to a forest has so much inspiration, walking my dog each day I pick up twigs and leaves to use. The question in my mind is how I can transfer this into embroidery. Although I have qualifications in embroidery and City Guilds, I am self-taught and I think this is why my work looks very different compared to anything out there.
I agree that your work is really unusual. Are you still making bridal gowns?
I do still make bridal gowns from time-to-time. It is word of mouth. I do not advertise this service any more.
Of all your creations, which are your favorite?
For me, my favorite piece is the current piece I am working on, what ever that may be - a bag a shoe or a hat/fascinator.
My work has to be different from anything in the market place. It is not easy working in textiles. People do not want to pay for the skill. If I painted on canvas they would see it as art. Even though I paint with a sewing machine, it is still art, but people are reluctant to pay for it.
