Sequin Soup Embroidery

Aisling Smyth is a London based Textile Artist who blogs under the title of Sequin Soup. When not working in the Film and TV industry you'll find her here developing her own Embroidery practice. Her current project BALANCE is an exploration of craft as a healing method with an emphasis on Mental Health issues. Get in touch: [email protected]

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Jenny Holzer at Tate Modern

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YES / NO 16cm x 16cm  Embroidered Textiles Aisling Smyth

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“Am I Enough?” 32cm x 32cm Embroidered Textiles  Aisling Smyth Cross stitch on Silk - Hand Painted and Glitter bombed Cotton - Naturally dyed Cotton - Reclaimed Pink silk - Reclaimed Embroidered duvet cover - Blanket Stitch - Fly Stitch - Herringbone Stitch - Hand beading - French Knots - Log Cabin Patchwork Self Deprecation

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So lovely to use this old encyclopedia as a reference point for the embroidery I’m making today. Found it whilst rummaging in my local Cancer Research charity shop. 

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‘Can This Last?’ 13′‘ x 13′‘  Embroidered Textiles Aisling Smyth  White Work cross stitch on Silk - Sashiko Mending Stitch on naturally dyed Cotton - Drawn Thread Work on Irish Linen - Hand Painted glitter bombed Cotton - Pink silk - Embroidered duvet cover - all brought together in a Log Cabin patchwork. Layers of fabric, historical techniques, emotions and Imposter Syndrome. 

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The skins and stones of 3 Avocados after being simmered for 2 hours. The water initially went a dirty brown colour and then slowly developed into a gentle pink. I strained the water and popped my fabrics in, the result was a nice washed back pink dip.  

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Avocado Dye

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BALANCE: Initial sketchbook pages and samples. 

Gathering some fabrics together and giving them a dip or experimenting with mark making/painting over the top. Dying the fabric naturally has been a great option as I’m keen to keep the toxicity levels as low as possible in producing this work. The fabrics have been reclaimed, and I’ve picked up some great textiles from my local charity shop. Feels good to #supportthehighstreet and it’s lovely to work with fabrics that already have some history of wear and softness as opposed to fresh off the role.

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Hey Friends!  Apologies for the radio silence on Tumblr. For the past couple years I’ve been on the hustle in the Film world doing my best to forge a career in the notoriously competitive and secretive Costume industry. I relocated from Belfast to London in 2017 to further this goal and although I’ve been having a great time living it up in a new location this has taken its toll on my own embroidery practice. Jumping from job to job, along with long working hours and getting settled in a new city has left me with little energy left to devote to studio work - which has left me feeling a bit unfulfilled as there has been a pretty huge element of my life missing. Although it is fantastic to work with Costume Designers and this provides a varied creative outlet, there is nothing like the satisfaction and sense of accomplishment that comes from realising a piece of your own work from concept to the final product.  For the past couple years keeping a journal has served as a craft substitute, and I have built up some pretty charged and significant pieces of writing around the pressures/highs/lows of working as a freelance artist. I have started to build a body of textiles around these pages. It is my hope that the finished collection will serve not only as a healing mechanism for me, but maybe the viewer as well.  I gladly welcome your feedback or comments.  Thanks!  Aisling xx 

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Ireland visits 2017 - 2018 

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Work Life 2017 - 2018

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Home life 2017 - 2018

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London Life 2017 - 2018

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Working on some small samplers and feeling so inspired. It's nice to dealve into history again and work in a slow and considered pace on my own practice and not for clients. It's giving me time to reflect and these little motifs may be the beginning of a new body of work for exhibiting.

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Working on some very tiny applique this evening. So small I need a pair of tweezers to handle the fragile little pieces. I love a challenge!