For the ancient Egyptians the beetle symbolized life, rebirth, and immortality, and for centuries, artisans have used the scarab motif to adorn everything from textiles and jewelry to the tombs of kings. This definitive collection of beetle-themed designs offers instructions for using the 17th century art of raised stumpwork embroidery, the metallic threads of goldwork, and glittering beadwork to create lifelike designs. Hundreds of color and black-and-white illustrations will teach embroiderers all about the craft: tools and equipment needed, special beading techniques, creating dimensional designs with appliqué, mounting their images, and more.
Jane Nicholas has been researching and working in the field of embroidery for over twenty years. Specialising in stumpwork and goldwork embroidery, she has written seven books and has contributed widely to journals and magazines on the subject. In 1999 Jane was awarded a Churchill Fellowship to further her studies in stumpwork in the United Kingdom and in 2005 was awarded the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for her services to hand embroidery as an artist, teacher, and author.
She teaches widely for Embroiderers' Guilds and businesses in Australia, New Zealand and the United States of America, and continues to research and develop new techniques - particularly in stumpwork. She is recognised internationally as being at the forefront of modern designers interpreting this form of raised embroidery. Jane's interests include old textiles, oriental porcelain, insect specimens, and film, music and books. Jane and her husband John live in Bowral, NSW and have three grown-up children.
