ABOUT
I am a highly driven and determined emerging textile conservator. I have completed the Textile Conservation MPhil at the University of Glasgow and will graduate in December 2024.
My grandmother is a scientist and teacher who has collected antique lace and textiles throughout her life, and I was privileged enough to be granted intimate access to these objects. Sitting with her, reading through her extensive library on lace, embroidery, needlework tools, and ethnographic textiles, and then getting to go through her collection to find and identify these items fostered and developed my passion for textiles. During lockdowns I formed a bubble with her, and we spent every weekend together, archiving, storing, and condition checking the astonishing depth and breadth of her collection. This experience, along with a lifetime of personal interest in a range of fiber crafts and my mother's career as a picture restorer, prompted me to begin my career in textile conservation.
EDUCATION
University of Glasgow 2022-2024
Textile Conservation (MPhil)
Grade yet to be released.
University of Manchester 2015-2017
Translation Studies: Japanese (MA)
Graduated with Merit.
University of Manchester 2011-2015
Japanese Studies (BA)
Graduated 2:1.
WORK EXPERIENCE
May 2023 – July 2023
Textile Conservator • Placement Student • The People’s History Museum (PHM), Manchester
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Completed interventive conservation treatment on two banners, gaining experience in a variety of synthetic and natural materials, effectively handling large and complex objects
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Condition checked and catalogued all banners on display, writing updated condition reports and uploading to museum software, working to tight deadlines and processing multiple objects ​
December 2021 – September 2023
​Digital Accessibility Consultant & Writer • Self Employed
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Excellent independent time management skills, juggling multiple projects with differing needs and priorities, and blending creative skills and thinking with practical digital applications
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Created and implemented workflows, training & guides, and adjusted deliverables to client’s needs while working with blind clients and colleagues
KEY SKILLS
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Excellent manual dexterity skills.
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Experienced with a wide range of basic and advanced conservation treatments (consolidation with adhesives, stitching, gel usage, wet cleaning, storage solutions, mount making).
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Experienced in preventative and interventive conservation treatments.
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Excellent at planning and executing complex projects to deadlines.
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Excellent and confident with both independent and team working.
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Excellent at communicating across languages, cultures, and diverse environments.
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Experienced and confident in a range of software, office and museum specific.
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Excellent at building and maintaining relationships and connections.
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Fluent in English and Japanese, some French.
ADDITIONAL SKILLS & EXPERIENCES
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Aided in salvage operation during flash flooding (Manchester, PHM)
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Experience in gallery installation of objects (PHM)
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In-situ mechanical cleaning of textiles on display during open gallery hours (PHM)
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History of successful fundraising ventures for projects (Visual Accessibility Skills Toolkit: VAST) and study (MPhil tuition fees)
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Extensive experience, ability, and interest in wide range of creative techniques (spinning, knitting, crochet, tablet weaving, bobbin lacemaking, needle lacemaking, embroidery, modern and historical dressmaking, and miniature model painting)
Volunteering, Outreach, & Projects
​Textile Conservation for Paisley Museum Display
August 2024 – September 2024
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Assessed and completed treatment on multiple objects daily to adhere to quick turnaround schedule
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Worked as part of a team, flexible in moving from task to task
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Worked days as sole conservator, communicating with non-conservation project manager and curators
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Worked on variety of modern synthetic materials, expanding experience
Insect and Pest Management (IPM) at the Centre for Textile Conservation (CTC), IPM at the PHM
September 2022 – Ongoing
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Overhaul and reintegration of CTC IPM system, including creation of documents, analysis of data gathered, and providing training to 1st year students
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Smooth takeover and temporary ownership of PHM IPM duties, updating documents and maps, creating reports
EDFAS Volunteers Lecture & ‘Hands On Experience’ Afternoon, National Museum of Scotland (NMS)
March 2024
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Co-created age and ability appropriate, well received presentation with interactive, engaging activities
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Co-couriered historic objects safely to and from store to venue
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Returned at later date (July 2024) to work alongside EDFAS team for a day, learning essential skills in textile storage solutions
Webster Primary School Outreach Talk at the PHM, Year 5 (9-10yrs)
July 2023
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Created and delivered age-appropriate presentation with engaging demonstration
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Effectively and creatively hosted a Q&A session
Ancient Beadwork Volunteer Project at the NMS
January 2023 – January 2024
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Created multiple sets of archival storage solutions to exact specifications within a tight deadline
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Visited location and aided in storage install of fragile objects, quickly integrating into team and venue working expectations
VAST Guides (Visual Accessibility Skills Toolkit)
June 2022 – September 2023
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Designed, planned, and co-wrote cutting edge digital accessibility guide for organisational and individual use
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Aided in successful funding application to Creative Scotland
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Publications
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​Which Solvents, If Any, Can Modify the Viscosity Of Funori Without Affecting Its Strength? – Awaiting Publication and submission to conference, MPhil Dissertation. 2024.
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Treatment and Analysis of a Japanese fukusa – In Progress, co-authored by Dr. Paul Garside, journal publication. Est 2025.
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Treatment of a Christening Gown Burned in a House Fire – In Progress, co-author to Gracile Roxas. Est 2025.