The Story Behind Studio Keepsakes

Studio Keepsakes are a collection of miniature, original framed textile artworks, individually created by hand in my Leicestershire studio. Each one begins with a carefully curated detail from an antique painting, paired with an antique French fabric fragment, finished with velvet ribbon and presented in a Stitch & Fable gift box. Numbered and released in small weekly collections, no two Studio Keepsakes are ever exactly alike. 

I've always been fascinated by the beauty found in the smallest details.

Whenever I visit a gallery or leaf through art books, I often find myself drawn not to the whole composition, but to a beautifully painted lace cuff, a gentle hand, the folds of a silk ribbon or the expression in a single eye. These quiet fragments have a way of telling their own story, and over the years I've become increasingly captivated by them.

That fascination is closely tied to another lifelong passion of mine: antique textiles. I've spent years collecting old French fabrics, admiring the character they acquire through time and use. Pairing these treasured pieces with carefully chosen details from antique paintings felt like a natural way to bring two of my greatest inspirations together. 

There was one final spark that helped shape the idea.

During the eighteenth century, tiny painted eye miniatures became fashionable across Europe, particularly in Britain. These delicate portraits of a single eye were exchanged as deeply personal love tokens, inspired by the belief that the eyes are the window to the soul. I find that idea incredibly moving. Although Studio Keepsakes are something entirely new, I hope they capture a little of the intimacy, mystery and quiet sentiment of those remarkable miniature artworks. 

Every Studio Keepsake is a small invitation to pause, look a little closer and discover the extraordinary beauty hidden within the smallest details.

Discover Studio Keepsakes →