EMBROIDERER Alison Cole can now cross a new destination off her list.<\/p>\n
Late last month, Invermay-based Ms Cole represented Australia at the inaugural International Gold Embroidery and Jewellery Festival held in Bukhara, Uzbekistan.<\/p>\n
There, her business Alison Cole Embroidery won second place in the Best Gold Embroidery Organisation category.<\/p>\n
Invited by the World Crafts Council\u2019s Australian branch, Cole described the four-day event as \u201clike the Olympic Games for embroidery,\u201d saying it was a sensory overload.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was incredible to represent both Ballarat and Australia. This is the first time I\u2019ve had to represent my country rather than just myself and it felt amazing,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was just amazing to see so much goldwork and colour and traditional dress everywhere you went with people dancing and singing and entertaining.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere was a parade on our first day with giant puppets being walked down the street. They really went above and beyond in every way.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cole has been operating her business since 2003, and she said she\u2019s been an \u201cobsessive\u201d embroiderer since her teens.<\/p>\n
The festival lined the streets opposite the centuries-old Ark Fortress, where embroiderers from 105 countries took part in the festival to sell their crafts.<\/p>\n
Judging was carried out by World Crafts Council president Sa\u2019ad Al-Qaddumi, and fashion designer Asif Shaikh.<\/p>\n
With dancing and performances, hot-air balloons and fireworks across a three-screen display, Cole said the awards ceremony was a festive feat.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve done a lot of travelling but this was so different from anything I\u2019ve ever done,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd to come up on stage after all that showiness and be gifted an award at the end of it is just astounding.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cole said the highlight of her trip was stitching during the opening of the Malika Sultan Embroidery and Handicraft Centre.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
EMBROIDERER Alison Cole can now cross a new destination off her list. Late last month, Invermay-based Ms Cole represented Australia at the inaugural International Gold Embroidery and Jewellery Festival held in Bukhara, Uzbekistan. There, her business Alison Cole Embroidery won second place in the Best Gold Embroidery Organisation category. Invited by the World Crafts Council\u2019s […]<\/p>\n