Justine Bonenfant shares some of her experiences as a couture embroiderer working for international designers and celebrities with Ed Ayres on The Art Show on Radio National.

We are delighted to host Justine in Perth to deliver Hand & Lock‘s introductory classes in some haute couture embroidery techniques.

You can download and listen to Justine at your leisure, using the link on the ABC  Radio National website.

[ https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/the-art-show/justine-bonenfant/11371352 ]

We are currently on the second day of a Hand & Lock Goldwork class with Justine, at the Midland Junction Arts Centre, on the outskirts of Perth. It is a delight to learn from such an experienced teacher and along the way to hear tales of couture ateliers, designers, celebrities – as well as Justine’s international life, living between, London, Chennai and Lille, her hometown.

This weekend* Justine will teach a three-day class in Tambour Beading at Calico & Ivy in Mosman Park (Perth). It is another exacting technique, not often taught outside the ateliers, such as The Lesage School in Paris. However, Hand & Lock London run a variety of classes and with whom we are delighted to collaborate to deliver classes in Western Australia.

Achieving skill in Goldwork and Tambour Beading requires hours of practice, but the basics can be taught in two-three days as an introduction only. Both involve significant set up of your base fabric on stretch frames, to set a good foundation for your detailed work.

Selected students from Edith Cowan University, North Metro TAFE and South Metro TAFE have been able to enjoy Maker&Smith sponsored places to extend their skills and to augment their final year collections. Congratulations to those students: Orli, Bridie, Jill and Jess. We wish you all the best.

If you are keen to learn such techniques as delivered in this year’s Maker & Smith masterclasses – let us know.

*Sat 10, Sun 11, Mon 12 August 2019