About me

Based in North Derbyshire, I have always been fascinated with art and it wasn’t until I went to college at Loreto 6th form in Manchester that I found textiles. I needed a forth subject so decided to take a risk and have a go. During those two years I fell in love with the subject, the history, the possibilities and I have never looked back. I'd never even heard of textiles as a subject so this was the first time I had the opportunity to explore it fully and it really was perfect timing. I became fascinated with hand embroidery. My teacher then introduced me to the Royal School of Needlework and that is how in 2014 I went off to London to study a degree in Hand Embroidery at Hampton Court Palace.

While studying I became trained in classic hand embroidery techniques, goldwork, blackwork, whitework, stumpwork, canvas work and crewel work. All in which you will find elements of in my work today!

While gaining experience in the fashion, art and interior sectors I learnt a lot about myself and who I wanted to be as a maker. Working in fashion houses and in brands such as Alexander McQueen, Hussein Chalayan, Burberry and on collaboration projects with HBO Game of Thrones, Hand & Lock, Gainsborough Silk, Royal School of Needlework and the GREAT Britain Campaign. Working alongside creatives and with such luxurious materials to create pieces that have been worn by celebrities, walked red carpets and displayed around the world!

So how did I end up setting up a business that primarily specialises in pet portraits? I set up Bethany Duffy Embroidery back in 2018. I took a chance and tried to stitch my partners childhood dog. I saw just one photo and that is really what kick started this. I started threadpainting and created hooped art and it was Christmas 2018 that I started with baubles. It really did span and grow from there. I added different personalised products to the shop and in 2021 I did my first sweatshirt, little did I know that was the start of a whole new chapter of wearable products for BDE. 

Now I create mostly bespoke personalised hand embroidered pieces! Working with you to create art that means something, is personalised and is unique just to you. I have a huge range of personalised pieces in my shop now, all that I’ve built and developed over the years. With time I started to build confidence and have the time to create hand embroidery kits and other accessories. Pieces for you to use and try hand embroidery for yourself!

My shop is always growing and evolving, creating new products is something that takes a lot of practice but means when the pieces are launched I’m fully confident in what I’m offering!

As seen in Simply Christmas, The Christmas Magazine, Country Life, Wealden Times, OX weddings, Surrey Homes, Becreative Magazine, Embroidery Magazine, Machine Knitting Monthly, CROSSSTITCHER