Jacqui Carey – artist, maker, teacher,
lecturer, writer, researcher.
“Finding joy within the quiet rhythm of making.”
Jacqui Carey
A Love of Mathematics & Art
Whilst attending a foundation course at Winchester School of Art, Jacqui Carey discovered that weaving combined her love of mathematics and art.
This led to a degree in Textiles at West Surrey College of Art and Design (1982-85), where Jacqui studied a whole range of related subjects, including braidmaking. But it was working with complex weave structures that enabled her to start unravelling the mysteries of Kumihimo, Japanese braiding.
The Art of Kumihimo
Although Jacqui’s work stems from the traditional, it is the creative possibilities of Kumihimo that inspire most of her braids. Innovative concepts, such as those found in Creative Kumihimo (1994), Beads & Braids (1999) and The Book of Braids (2014), illustrate how she has pushed the boundaries beyond the traditional, inspiring new ideas that are now widely used within the braiding community.
The braiding process, with its aesthetics and sense of continuity, is an integral part of Jacqui’s work, and she has been asked to demonstrate and exhibit at many different events and venues throughout the UK and abroad.
To view a selection of Jacqui’s creative work go to the gallery.
Specialist in Historic English Embroidery
Jacqui has always had an interest in analysing old textiles, and she is now renowned for her expertise in historic English needlework. She has been described as an “embroidery detective” as she probes into the authenticity of the evidence, and her investigations have led to ground-breaking discoveries about many ‘lost’ needlework stitches. Her meticulous object-based study has challenged previous assumptions and practices, which were based on relatively modern techniques.
Using the concept of ‘experimental archaeology’ and the ‘craft of finds analysis’, Jacqui continues to recreate historic examples to test her theories about obsolete techniques and our understanding of past practice.
Her books Sweetbags and Elizabethan Stitches have made a significant contribution to expanding our knowledge and appreciation of historic needlework stitches.
Jacqui’s ability to ‘read’ needlework objects saw her awarded a Wellcome Trust Research Bursary in 2015. This enabled her to study their newly acquired medieval embroidered almanac MS.8932, and resulted in a book devoted to this extraordinary artefact.
Researcher & Curator
of Braids
Jacqui has always felt that her analysis of traditional and historic practice provides the nourishing roots for her creative work, connecting her to the past and present world. Over the years she has built up a body of research including work that sheds new light on the historic Japanese braiding technique kute-uchi, Samurai Redressed, as well as Chinese Braid Embroidery.
In the early 1990s Jacqui helped to establish The Braid Society and subsequently served on the committee. Jacqui organised their first exhibition entitled “Samurai Undressed”, based on her research into the development of Kumihimo and its relationship with the Samurai. She has gone on to curate other exhibitions including “Braids & Beyond: A Broad Look at Narrow Wares” – a major project to celebrate the Society’s tenth anniversary.
In 2005, Jacqui was awarded the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship to help further her study, and in 2008 she was awarded a distinction for her MA in the History of Textile & Dress, at the Textile Conservation Centre, University of Southampton.
Sharing Her Knowledge – Teacher, Speaker & Writer
Jacqui’s enthusiasm and willingness to share her knowledge led her to start teaching and lecturing in the 1980s. She is now an accredited Art Society NADFAS lecturer and keynote speaker, having engaged with varied audiences across a range of different institutions in the UK and abroad.
Jacqui is passionate about passing on her tacit skills, and offers a variety of workshops for all ages, abilities and aims. Whether it is for the local primary school, or an international conference, Jacqui tailors the content to suit and has been invited to work for a wide range of educational bodies, guilds, museums and other groups including West Dean College, Victoria & Albert Museum and the Royal Armouries.
Prompted by the lack of written material on kumihimo, and encouraged by her students, Jacqui set about writing an instruction book, Creative Kumihimo, which was finally published in 1994. This was to be the first of many written books and articles, making Jacqui’s teaching more accessible to a wider audience. Jacqui’s books can be found in the shop and a list of her publications can be found on the resources page.
Jacqui’s Work
See a selection of Jacqui’s braiding and textile work spanning across her career.
Jacqui’s Books
Browse and order copies of Jacqui’s books.Featured Projects
Read articles about projects and kits you might like to make, such as Jacqui’s historic English sweet bag.