Hi!

I'm Michelle (she/her/they)

I live in Australia - I make things with needle and thread, and I walk in the wild. I have degrees in science and education, and do STEM education writing/consulting.

I make strange little things in textiles and beads, I sell the objects I make in a local store. I also have a teeny webshop where I sell a small number of objects and I have a couple of online workshops and some downloadable tutorials and patterns.

All my recent posts are my own work. All my nature photos are from my hiking adventures and are my own photos.

I'm currently closed for commissions. Note that I'm in Aus, so postage times and costs might be a factor for you. My commission process varies according to the size and complexity of the work, but always includes at least half up-front payment. My most common commission pieces are my beetles, which I've sent all over the world to new homes in the UK, Europe, US and even Borneo!

Asks are always open. I love asks.

A non-circular object from today.

Two floating creatures, anchored to stones.

I like how they move with the slightest disturbance - but are stable enough to not fall. Just.

I made a new puzzle :D

https://www.jigsawplanet.com/pardalote/embroidery

Just thinking today.

While I'm posting stones, here are some river stones I crocheted jackets for, back in 2022.

Some work from 2020. Revisiting and considering the elements of design for my new work.

And remembering how I loved the shadows.

Some strange things I've made with river stones (and a couple of holey friends).

Untitled.

I'm not sure what to call this one. So much has happened in the last week, distilling it down into a few words is hard.

Anyway, this is the final round beaded object for a bit. I've started work on some other ideas I have.

A whistle and a light, to attract attention, 2025.

Another round beaded object. I have one more round thing in progress and then it will be time for something else. I have another idea I need to explore.

Strangers in my home II.

Another round bead thing.

There will probably be two more round bead things, then I might play with another shape. Maybe.

12.

Twelve round objects I've made in the last few weeks.

Question!

I’ve been working on a Discord server for textile-maker-artist-hobby people who are making things a bit outside the box. Or who want to learn about this. Or want to share what they are making. Basically a community of textile nerdy peeps to share and learn and chat.

My question is - when I’m ready, do I publish the invite link publicly? Or will I just be spammed by bots and scams if I do that? Or am I overthinking this?

This is a big question. But I don’t have a helpful answer for you. I’ve been with my partner since university days. I have no idea how you meet people, and I’m really a bit of a hermit (as you’ve probably guessed!) I can tell you... that it is possible to have a partner who is interested in what you do even if it isn’t their ‘thing’ - and I reciprocate that with their hobbies. I do strongly believe you shouldn’t ever give up the creative things that make you a happy and whole person just to fulfill the Longing. But that’s easy for me to say in a position of privilege - I also know it can be very hard to navigate meeting, knowing and loving someone.

I can only really give you a huge internet hug as we whirl around this strange planet together. <3

Another new small one. This is not my usual palette, but I had fun :D

Another small one.