Sue Nicholls | Profile

I am an artist and maker based in Buntingford, in rural East Hertfordshire. I work from my home studio at the bottom of my garden and enjoy creating fine art textile pieces, wall hangings, home decorations and decorative accessories. I use a number of different techniques including hand and machine embroidery, printing techniques, ceramics and photography. I combine them to produce colourful and quirky pieces. I originally trained as a musician, gaining a BA (Hons) in Music at Bretton Hall College (near Leeds), and went on to work for BBC Radio 3 for a number of years in various departments. I then freelanced in the graphic design industry for a few years. 

I have always, for as long as I can remember, enjoyed making things. Early visits to see my Gran involved learning to knit, hand embroidery using blue iron-on transfers and having a go on her old hand-operated Singer sewing machine. I have attended various short courses over the years in machine embroidery, wet felt making landscape photography, ceramics but more importantly, I love experimenting on my own with a room full of  'bits' and a head full of ideas armed with a technical knowledge gleaned from books and the internet and hours of practice. My work is inspired mainly by nature the shapes and forms found all around; in the plants in my garden, a walk in the countryside, a trip abroad, the affects of different kinds of weather on the landscape. I tend not to work with direct references, but instead use the memories and emotions associated with the patterns, colours and textures. I also teach Machine Embroidery and Mixed Media Workshops from my studio in Buntingford covering a number of techniques (for details see my Workshops page). 

​Purchasing/Commissioning my Work/Talks
I have a growing collection of work in my Online Store. I also sell my work through Galleries, Online Stores, local Fairs and Exhibitions.

I enjoy working to commission – making something completely new, or something from my existing portfolio. You can always contact me to arrange an appointment to visit me in my studio. 

I am available for talks on my work - contact me for details.

For more details of events that I will be attending, see my Upcoming Events page. If you would like to discuss a commission or would like more information on any aspect of my work, please use the form on the Contact page to get in touch.

I am a founder-member of the Society for Embroidered Work (SEW) and was selected to take part in their first Members’ Exhibition in London in November 2019.

Exhibitions & Events