This August I took part in England’s Medieval Festival, an outdoor event that combines history, fantasy, and heritage craft.
For me, it was both a professional challenge and an important opportunity to connect with people interested in costume, design, and handmade work.
My practice is not focused on cosplay in the conventional sense. Instead, I explore how fantasy and historical references can be adapted into contemporary embroidery, accessories, and wearable pieces. Presenting at the festival allowed me to research the cosplay and fantasy market directly, while also showing visitors another way to approach embellishment — as a medium that links heritage craft with modern design.
Visitors to the Heritage Craft Hall responded with curiosity and amazement. Many had never seen embroidery technique such as pearl setting demonstrated up close. The feedback I received was invaluable: it confirmed the relevance of my approach and gave me new ideas for future projects.
Alongside my own work, I also presented the Multi-Strand Bracelet Workshop. This course is designed for small, offline groups and introduces participants to traditional stringing and embroidery methods adapted for small jewellery. Each participant completes a finished bracelet, learning a heritage technique in a practical and accessible format.
The festival reinforced what I see across my practice: my work is not mass-market. It requires the right connection — people who are looking for something distinctive, carefully made, and rooted in craft. Those connections happened at the festival, whether through demonstrations, conversations, or purchases.
If you are looking to commission embroidery for cosplay, costume, or historical interpretation, visit my Cosplay Commissions page.
The products I presented at the festival are available in my online shop.
And if you would like to join a group workshop, you can find more information about the Multi-Strand Bracelet Workshop here.
