Over the past few weeks, we’ve been blown away by the incredible talent and creativity shown in the hundreds of applications we received for the Joan Harrison Creative Bursary. This special bursary was created in memory of our dear friend and colleague Joan Harrison, who inspired so many before her passing in 2015. It continues her legacy by offering valuable opportunities to study our accredited textile courses.
After much deliberation, our tutors have shortlisted some exceptional finalists. Now, it’s over to you!
Here’s what to do:
- Take a look at the finalists’ beautiful work below.
- Vote for your favourite finalist: the one you feel truly deserves a bursary place.
- Remember, you can only vote once, so make your choice count!
The four entries with the highest number of votes will each receive a bursary place to pursue their textile studies.
Thank you to everyone who applied, and good luck to our talented finalists. Cast your vote today!
Our Finalists
1. Kathryn Tomasetti
Hand Embroidery
Kathryn is a self-taught textile artist and founder of Botanical Weaves, a small studio where she creates exquisite handwoven baby wraps, shawls, scarves and textile art. She works with sustainable, second hand and naturally dyed materials, many of which she grows and dyes herself.
Driven by a deep passion for craftsmanship and sustainable making, Kathryn is eager to learn the art of hand embroidery so she can add fine, decorative detail to her woven pieces. This skill would allow her to develop her artistic practice further and enhance the value of her creations.
Balancing her work, studio practice and family life, Kathryn’s dedication to textiles is unwavering. She hopes this bursary will give her the chance to formalise her training and take her creative business to the next stage. Her work embodies a thoughtful, sustainable approach to design, and her motivation and commitment shine through in everything she creates.
“I would really like to delve deeply into the world of hand embroidery and learn how to best add it to my pieces, which is not something that I can afford to do otherwise.”
2. Sally Mallinson
Machine Embroidery
Sally is a retired financial advisor who has recently turned her focus fully to textiles and crafting. She has spent the past few years teaching herself machine embroidery and other textile techniques, using her creativity to fill her days and explore new ways of expressing herself. With her mother’s passing earlier this year, Sally now has the time and energy to dedicate herself completely to developing her skills.
She is applying for this bursary to gain formal training in machine embroidery, enabling her to move beyond following patterns and start designing her own work. Sally hopes this course will give her the confidence and skills to make textiles her new career and to work professionally in the industry for the next decade.
The bursary would make a transformative difference to Sally’s life, providing an opportunity to invest in her learning at a time when finances are limited. Her dedication, motivation and creative drive mean she is ready to embrace every aspect of the course and turn her passion into a professional path.
“It would give me a renewed self esteem and sense of purpose. I now have the time and energy to fully commit to this.”
3. Liz Ablett-Brown
Crochet
Liz has long nurtured a passion for art, and over the past few years crochet has become her primary creative focus. Living with her three sons, she has devoted her time to developing her skills and exploring how she can bring her ideas to life. She dreams of building her own business, selling her pieces, and developing her abilities in designing patterns that are uniquely her own.
Liz is applying for this bursary to gain formal training in crochet, allowing her to expand her craft and learn the techniques needed to design and create professional-level work. She is particularly inspired by the research into artists and their creative processes, which she hopes will fuel her own innovation and style.
The course would give Liz confidence, deepen her understanding of pattern making, and provide the knowledge to turn her passion into a meaningful pursuit. She is highly motivated, enthusiastic, and ready to dedicate herself fully to her craft, seeing this as the perfect opportunity to take her crochet to the next level.
“I love art and it is my biggest passion. I am 100% motivated as I enjoy studying and now is definitely my time to show what I can achieve with more knowledge and understanding.”
4. Amanda Toase
Patchwork & Quilting
Amanda is a passionate textile artist who has spent the past few years focusing on creating work that reflects her personal experiences. Living in a rented home with a dedicated sewing room, she has been designing her own pieces rather than following kits, exploring storytelling through her patchwork and quilted creations. She has also recently completed a college course on the business side of her practice and is eager to complement this with the practical, hands-on skills that will allow her ideas to fully come to life.
She is applying for this bursary to gain formal training in patchwork and quilting, enabling her to develop her technical skills and produce high-quality art quilts. The course will provide structure, expert guidance, and dedicated time to work on her craft, giving her the confidence to refine her technique and realise her creative vision.
Amanda’s motivation is clear: she wants to master the skills necessary to bring her ideas to fruition and continue expressing her authentic voice through textiles. She is committed, resourceful, and ready to dedicate herself fully to the course, using it as a way to combine her love of textiles with her need for creative expression and therapeutic practice.
“The course would give me the structure, knowledge base and designated textile time that I crave.”
5. Kim Gilbert
Textiles
Kim works part-time as a textile technician in a school and is passionate about expanding her own skills to benefit both herself and the students she supports. Balancing her career with raising two young children and limited childcare support, she is eager to find opportunities that allow her to learn and grow creatively.
She is applying for this bursary to gain new techniques and deepen her knowledge of textiles, enabling her to develop her own creative practice while also enhancing her teaching skills. Kim sees this course as a chance to broaden her expertise, support her students more effectively, and explore fresh creative ideas.
Highly motivated and committed, Kim views this opportunity as a way to progress her career and continue learning in a structured, supportive environment. She brings dedication, curiosity, and a love of helping others to her work, and the bursary would allow her to fully realise her creative and professional potential.
“This is a brilliant opportunity that could give my career progression.”
6. Nicole Gammie
Knitting
Nicole is a dedicated textile artist from south-eastern Australia who has spent the past year refining her practice in bobbin lace enhanced with embroidery. Formerly an academic librarian, she has turned her focus fully to textiles, exploring new techniques and creative processes to improve the quality and presentation of her work.
She is applying for this bursary to gain formal training and feedback in knitting, helping her to develop her skills further and share her work more widely. Nicole sees the course as a way to learn new techniques, receive guidance from experts, and connect with a community of like-minded artists — opportunities that would be otherwise unavailable to her.
Highly motivated and committed, Nicole is ready to dedicate herself to the course, prioritising the time and space needed to complete the requirements. She hopes the bursary will allow her to take her textile practice to the next level, improving both her craft and the way she presents her work.
“Being able to get feedback and bounce ideas off others is something that can be challenging to find, and this course would make a very great difference.”
7. Rachel Ball
Hand Embroidery
Rachel has spent the past twenty-six years dedicating herself to community work, running toddler groups and after-school clubs through local churches and charities. She is self-employed, supporting families and children with accessible, often free activities, while managing her household with her husband and two grown-up children. Alongside her community work, Rachel has nurtured a passion for embroidery and is eager to develop her skills further.
She is applying for this bursary to gain formal training in hand embroidery, which would allow her to enjoy her craft more fully and potentially sell some of her work to support the cost of materials. Rachel sees this opportunity as a way to grow creatively while continuing to balance her meaningful community commitments.
Highly motivated and committed, Rachel is ready to dedicate herself to the course and make the most of this opportunity. She hopes the bursary will allow her to expand her skills, bring personal enjoyment, and take her embroidery practice to a professional level.
“If I was to receive the bursary I would be incredibly grateful and that gratitude would make me determined to make the most of an incredible opportunity.”
8. Caryl Hennen
Patchwork & Quilting
Caryl has been passionate about quilting for over 30 years, continually seeking ways to challenge herself and expand her creativity. She has spent recent years completing quilt tops using established patterns while designing her own colourways, but now wants to explore improvisational and art quilting, pushing beyond traditional techniques and building confidence in her own creative decisions.
She is applying for this bursary to gain formal training that will allow her to develop new skills, experiment with innovative approaches, and focus her energy on the areas of quilting that excite her most. Caryl also hopes to establish a foundation or non-profit to teach children of all abilities to sew, providing materials and guidance at little or no cost, ensuring a new generation discovers the joy of textiles.
Highly motivated and committed, Caryl sees the course as an opportunity to grow both creatively and professionally. While balancing full-time work and family life can be challenging, she is ready to dedicate her breaks and spare time to make the most of this experience, using it to refine her craft and bring her ambitious vision to life.
“The course would inspire me to be more creative and innovative with my quilting and help me focus my energy on the areas I want to work towards.”
