KATIE BELL

Creative Box – 'Bee Happy'

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Dupion silk lining with Organic Cotton outer

Watercolour designs printed, embellished with stump work bees, cord edging, drawer, tray, lift off lid, stitched and fabric hinged roof and secret compartment. DMC and Anchor stranded cottons and chiffon ribbon.

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'Bee Happy' is inspired by my favourite creative joys: art, flowers, baking, and—of course—embroidery at the Royal School of Needlework, Hampton Court. The piece draws directly from the wildflower meadow in full bloom last June.

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I incorporated my own watercolour paintings of the wildflowers, which were printed onto fabric and then hand-embroidered using stem, fly, chain, and a range of complementary stitches to enhance texture and movement.

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Minute bees were individually created and wired into the piece. A hidden compartment contains a handmade bumblebee needle minder worked in Turkey Rug stitch, with a corresponding kit housed in the drawer.

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Supporting imagery:

• Top lift out tray

• Pull out draw with mini bumble bee kit

• Sketch pad, hand bound

• Watercolours

• Box in progress

• All the final elements