barberryrowdesigns

From a very early age I knitted and sewed - just like my mum - and was taught by her how to “fancy work” (embroider designs that had been traced/printed on to linen) and then finish them with crochet edgings. By my mid teens many finished pieces were safely stored in my glorybox in preparation for the day I married and set up a home.

For seventeen years I was a stay-at-home mum taking care of my home and family and knitting and sewing all the clothes for myself and the children until they were teenagers at which time my hands returned to needlework - mainly counted thread work - cross stitch pieces or pieces incorporating decorative stitches with cross stitch.

In 1988 I opened a retail shop supplying needlework and other lovely things and began teaching needlework at home in the evenings and opening my home
once a week to whomever would like to spend time with other ladies who enjoyed the peace and relaxation that needlework gives to ones soul. After five years I sold my shop and in 1994 I attended my first international needlework trade show
in the USA and began importing and selling prestigious needlework supplies
from my home. Since that first experience I have been attending the trade shows almost every year and I continue to sell needlework designs and products.

Latterly my passion for needlework has been touched by the desire to design and publish needlework designs using the lesser known stitches such as the English technique of Fisherton de la Mere, reproducing designs from antique samplers, and creating Mystery Samplers. The beginnings of this dream was realised with the establishment of Barberry Row in 2010.

I have also had the privilege of exhibiting and selling my designs at various needlework retreats in the USA, Australia, Belgium and throughout New Zealand and have taught needlework classes at some of these retreats.

My husband, Keith and I reside in a 120 year old villa situated in the rural area between the cities of Napier and Hastings in the beautiful wine growing region of Hawkes Bay, New Zealand. The Needlework Gallery - Heirlooms - is in one of the rooms of the house and finished pieces of needlework are displayed throughout the house. Visitors are welcome to wander through our home at their leisure and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee and a piece of cake. The last Sunday of each month is open for the day for anyone who wishes to sit and stitch and share their passion for the gentle art of needlework.

Sincerely, Sherelyn