Originally from Russia, I've lived in many countries until I found a home in beautiful New Zealand. I am based in Wanaka, work part time, and embroider as much as I can in between hiking, skiing, yoga and enjoying my time with my husband, 2 cats and a beagle.

My creative journey started with a cross-stitch embroidery kit bought in Russia in about 2012, chucked into a bedside drawer and forgotten about.. 7 years later, after a big move from Dubai to Wanaka, I found the kit while unpacking and decided to give it a go.

I had always been interested in art, especially painting, but had never been very creative myself. Embroidery felt like painting with threads, and after trying various contemporary embroidery styles I realized I was falling in love with the process, its meditative effect, and was starting to get compliments on my finished hooped creations.

I wanted to share my work with the world, and created a Tui Embroidery Instagram page. I had long contemplated on the name, and Tui felt like the right word - besides being a name of a beautiful native New Zealand bird, it also means "to sew, thread" in Maori language. By combining the Tui bird image with the meaning of the word, my logo was born.

After making some things for myself or as gifts, my embroidery art started to overflow my walls and shelves. I have so many ideas for future pieces it would be impossible to keep them all to myself! I hope with this shop my handmade embroidery artwork brings joy to many other people and brightens up your home or brings smiles to faces of your loved ones.

To see more of my hooped creations, follow me on www.instagram.com/tuiembroidery/