JANE PERKINS

From childhood, I have always enjoyed being creative; drawing and embroidery mainly. After a career as a nurse and 10 years as a full time Mum, I took a degree in Textiles, graduating in 2006. During this time, I discovered a passion for working with found materials. I enjoy using materials which have a history, and love art with an element of fun and the unexpected.

From Brooches to Portraits
In 2005, the inspiration for my final year degree project came from religious festival headdresses from Ecuador, decorated with a bizarre mix of broken jewellery, shells, dolls, light bulbs, coins etc. I loved them!
I started making hand-stitched brooches from adding found objects to antique braid. Some were mounted on beach debris or driftwood to become a piece of art for the wall. I also made ‘memory brooches’ from clients’ own collected items; odd earrings, broken jewellery or childhood treasures which could no longer be used but which the owner could not bear to throw away.