Jewels of Winter

Jewels of Winter was a free, online embroidery course designed to introduce participants to the art of pearl embroidery. Combining traditional techniques with modern applications, the project focused on creating unique Christmas tree decorations while fostering a community of embroidery enthusiasts. The course aimed to demonstrate the full process of ornament development, from framing the fabric to finishing the backside. Materials were delivered through videos, online articles, and PDFs, and participants were provided with two designs to practice and refine their skills.

Year

2024

Course Page

Read

Tags: Adobe Illustrator, Contemporary Embroidery, Creative Embroidery, Embroidery Course, Heritage, Home Decor, Needlework, Pearl Embroidery

Hand-embroidered star-shaped ornament from the Jewels of Winter project, showcasing elegant white, pearl, and sapphire-colored rhinestones with a shimmering satin finish and delicate bead details. Introduction to Pearl Embroidery

Hand-embroidered round ornament from the Jewels of Winter project, featuring intricate white, silver, and blue beadwork on a snowflake-inspired design with a satin ribbon. Introduction to Pearl Embroidery

Handcrafted Ornaments
Jewels of Winter is more than an online course—it’s the beginning of a series of heirloom Christmas tree ornaments. Each decoration is crafted using traditional Russian pearl embroidery with premium materials like shell beads, vintage crystals, and fine fabrics.

Hanging handcrafted embroidered ornaments from the Jewels of Winter project, featuring snowflake and star-inspired designs in white, blue, and gold tones against a soft pink backdrop.

Close-up of a star-shaped embroidered ornament from the Jewels of Winter project, detailed with white pearls, blue rhinestones, and shimmering beadwork, with a snowflake design blurred in the background

A flat snowflake-shaped embroidered ornament from the Jewels of Winter project, resting on a sheer white fabric. Features white, silver, and blue beads for a luxurious winter theme

Star-shaped hanging ornament from the Jewels of Winter project, adorned with pearl, silver, and blue bead embroidery. Snowflake designs appear in the background, creating a festive winter aesthetic

Two hanging handcrafted embroidered ornaments from the Jewels of Winter project, showcasing intricate snowflake and star-shaped designs in white and blue beadwork against a pink backdrop

Snowflake-shaped embroidered ornament from the Jewels of Winter project, featuring intricate beadwork in white, silver, and blue. Resting on soft, sheer fabric for an elegant winter theme

Embracing Traditional Techniques

The course focused on the traditional pearl setting technique, guiding participants through essential steps like pattern transfer, fabric preparation, and careful execution to achieve a classic, refined result.

Work-in-progress image of a star-shaped ornament from the Jewels of Winter project, showing traditional pearl embroidery in development. A hand guides cord placement along a neon-outlined pattern, embellished with pearls, rhinestones, and sapphire-colored crystals.

Close-up of a star-shaped ornament design in progress from the Jewels of Winter project, featuring a printed pattern with pearl, rhinestone, and sapphire-colored crystal placements, showcasing the initial layout for traditional pearl embroidery

Inspiring Creativity with Materials

Participants explored various ways to decorate ornaments, using crystals, bead combinations, and French wire, while incorporating fine fabrics as sophisticated backdrops. The course demonstrated how different materials, such as pearl beads or seed beads, could uniquely influence the final design.

Providing High-Quality Instruction

Although the course was free, it offered exceptional content. Participants received detailed video tutorials with process close-ups, concise voiceover explanations, and short, focused videos—each no longer than 20 minutes—for a seamless and enjoyable learning experience.

Materials overview for the Jewels of Winter project, showcasing essential items for pearl embroidery: base fabric, cords (2.2–3mm), sewn-on materials like pearls, and decorative elements including crystals and beads. Additional options for threads and embellishments are highlighted for ornament creation

Jewels of Winter: A Unique Embroidery Experience

Jewels of Winter was a live, one-time project developed from the initial idea of introducing participants to the traditional technique of Russian pearl embroidery. Over the course of two months, I brought this vision to life, creating comprehensive materials and videos that showcased the full process of ornament creation. The project included two articles about Russian pearl embroidery — one for public view and another exclusive for participants — offering deeper insights into the history and significance of this technique.

The course provided a free, limited opportunity for participants to learn and experiment with pearl embroidery in a practical and engaging way. More than 20 individuals joined, making it a truly collaborative and rewarding experience. Jewels of Winter combined tradition, creativity, and accessibility, leaving participants inspired by the beauty and versatility of this heritage craft.