My hand beaded textiles collection explores my lifelong experiences on the Isle of North Uist, paying homage to the landscapes that shaped my childhood: shifting colours, dazzling light, and rich textures. It celebrates the beauty of the Western Isles and seeks to capture their essence in textile pieces.
Beads of Light is a collection of printed window coverings, intricately hand-beaded to filter, diffuse, and reflect sunlight, supporting the body’s circadian rhythm and offering a response to Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). My collection proposes a new way to engage with natural light: coverings that soften rather than block it. Each sample explores light diffusion as a functional and therapeutic tool, encouraging connection with natural elements all year round.
Drawing from my own photography and my father's archive spanning my childhood, each print highlights patterns in rocks, sand, sea, and sunlight, revealing beauty in overlooked details. Digitally printed on sheer silks and chiffons, the fabrics are designed to layer and control light based on the season. North Uist's textures, colours, and patterns shape the tactile quality of the work. Each print is further enhanced with hand beading to intensify colour and strategically catch sunlight. This beadwork changes surface texture and opacity, scattering light throughout the day. Techniques such as flock, devoré, CAD embroidery, and acid dye complement the digital prints, adding variation and breathing space within the collection.
Ultimately, this project is a tribute to North Uist’s enduring presence in my life. My designs reimagine how we interact with light and space, blending beauty and function to reflect the rhythms of nature.
