ABOUT
My journey started in Canada – born to Hungarian parents and speaking a mix of English and Hungarian. Growing up, my mother and grandmother passed down their skills and knowledge about embroidery, food and traditions.
After living in Hungary in the 1990’s and travelling, I discovered that all embroidery follows a pattern of life & death, nature & nurture and love & purity. I hope my shop and blog reflect this.
Living in Bournemouth, Dorset, with my English husband, children and lunatic pets, I hope you enjoy all you find on this website.
The items featured on the website are purchased from under privileged regions of Hungary and Romania, giving artists a means of supplementing their income while preserving the slowly disappearing traditions of their region.
I hope you find the love and passion reflected in the pieces I have curated for you. Each item is either purchased directly from the artisan or a women’s collective and sold at a fair price for all.
Hungarian embroidery was first officially documented around 1,000 A.D. when the first king, Stephen, wore a richly embroidered robe made from gold thread. It can still be seen in the National Museum in Budapest and is considered an important relic. There is evidence of embroidery before that time, but it was around 1,000 A.D. that cottage industries in embroidery and weaving grew, reaching it’s zenith in the 16th and 17th centuries.
Although outfits were embroidered, Hungarian embroidery tended to focus on textiles e.g a girls wedding could not take place until her wedding trousseau of pillows, tablecloths, and linens was were properly embroidered.
Facts About Hungary
– STOCKISTS –
Nellie Mimosa
50 Southbourne Grove
Southbourne, Bournemouth
Dorset BH6 3RB
Gem of England
4a Garden Road
Burley, New Forest
Hampshire BH24 4EA
– LINKS –
Websites of interest that support Hungarian textiles and embroidery.
Kekfesto Cotton
http://www.kekfestocotton.co.uk/
A range of beautiful Hungarian indigo fabric and quilting kits.
World Textile Day
http://www.worldtextileday.co.uk
UK based collaborative effort of those who specialise in textiles from around the world. Several free exhibitions per year in Wales, Scotland and the North, South, East and West of England.
Folk Costume & Embroidery
http://folkcostume.blogspot.co.uk
Well researched blog about folk costumes. A little simple – I’m still trying to find out who writes this great blog but worth scrolling through the articles.
The Hungarian Patchwork Association
Official website of the Hungarian Patchwork Association, available in English.
Festival of Folk Arts
http://mestersegekunnepe.hu/english/
Held annually in August in Hungary, a gathering of Hungarian mastercrafters in the fields of embroidery, egg painting, indigo, pottery, weaving etc. International mastercrafters as well.
Tarnat - Kalotaszeg Durabil
Sara Meaker and Duncan McFarlane help support real sustainable development around Cluj and Huedin, in Transylvania, Romania. Sara & Duncan’s foundation enables local women to sew some amazing products for Little Hungarian Hearts and others. Without her, these women’s work would be so much harder to view outside Romania and Hungary.
SEND US A LITTLE NOTE
I’m happy to receive PR requests, sponsored & guest posts, wholesale inquiries or if you just want to share your experiences and memories of embroidery. I have an active social network on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest Twitter and G+ through which I can promote and engage your posts and memories. If you would like to get in contact, please fill out the form or email me on hello@littlehungarianhearts.co.uk.
- INSTALOVE -
