Curriculum Vitae - Sarah Turner

Creative Profile

A self-taught multi-disciplinary crafter with over 25 years experience of designing and making hand-crafted items. I have developed my craft practice over the years and I am skilled in crafts that embellish the surface of textiles such as embroidery, beadwork and appliqué. But I am also highly proficient in a range of other craft disciplines including knitting, crochet and dressmaking. I’m passionate about sharing my love of crafting with others and have led and organised craft sessions for my local Women’s Institute.

As a teenager I made and sold a range of beaded bracelets and jewellery. I have extensive experience of assisting and running stalls at craft fairs alongside Claire Turner.

More recently the majority of my creative practice has run alongside my professional career and has been focussed on developing my skills and making items for gifts or for my home.

As I launch my business Embellished Elephant, I’ve been able to utilise my professional experience to ensure I have systems and processes in place to ensure a smooth experience for my customers. The transferable skills I’ve developed a range in my professional career include customer service & complaint management, project management, risk management, problem solving, creating and analysing management information, budget management, people management

Education

I am currently working towards a Skill Stage 3 City & Guilds qualification in Hand Embroidery - expected completion date November 2020.

The majority of my creative skills are self taught from books, magazines and videos but I have attended workshops to learn particular techniques or skills over the past 25 years.

Expert workshops attended:

  • Abstract Embroidery - Emily Botehlo (Salt Stitches)

  • Contemporary Embroidery - Katy Biele

  • Intuitive Embroidery - Elizabeth Pawle

  • Hand Knitting - City Lit

  • Silver Jewellery Making - City Lit

  • Bead weaving - Moyse’s Hall Museum

I also hold a BSC in Biology and an MRres in Bioinformatics and my university studies have influenced the subject matter of many of my designs.

Professional Profile

More than 15 years experience operational delivery of assessments for high stakes examinations for UK and international customers, including managing large diverse and dispersed teams. I have a proven track record of defining, implementing, delivering and communicating complex business processes as well as working with IT to develop and introduce new technology solutions. I have excellent data analysis skills that I regularly use to identify evidence based solutions to operational or quality issues and lessons learned. 

For my professional profile and experience, please take a look at my LinkedIn profile or download my professional CV here.