Appraisal Services
Professional Appraisal Services
for
Needlework and Embroidery
*All Types*
Do you collect needlework?
Do you own an heirloom embroidery?
Are you a prodigious stitcher?
Do you have a business designing needlework?
and…
Do you have any idea of the value of your property?
You may own an asset whose value should be protected through insurance coverage
Or, do you have a piece of needlework that you might sell and you want to know an asking price?
Consult me…I can help you answer these questions!
Free 30-minute consultation
Located in Virginia with Nationwide services
Professional Affiliations
American Society of Appraisers
American Needlepoint Guild
Embroiderers’ Guild of America
National Academy of Needlearts
Embroiderers’ Guild of Canada
Professional Appraisal Training
2024
Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice Training
This training is required of all appraisers who affiliate with the professional appraisal organizations. Refresher training is required every two years.
2019
Appraisal "Bootcamp"
The American Society of Appraisers and MassArt College
This four-part curriculum teaches the intricacies of personal property appraisal including appraisal report writing, research techniques, problem solving and data reconciliation.
2019
Certified NeedleArts Appraiser
American Needlepoint Guild
An intensive three-year curriculum that teaches the ins and outs of the personal property appraisal practice and the range of connoisseurship in needlework and embroidery to perform in the discipline.
Educational Programs
"The Well Traveled Embroidery Motif: Trees, Birds, Stars and Fruit" illuminates the origins of four ubiquitous motifs--the tree of life, the two-headed eagle, eight-pointed star, and the pomegranate. The presentation shows that stitchers in ages past embroidered these into clothes, household items and decorative and ceremonial objects. The motifs traveled on textiles around the globe and across the centuries. The presentation shows stunningly beautiful examples of the embroidered motifs and their variations. Participants will take away the knowledge that motifs can help identify a piece of needlework, and in some cases, unlock its cultural meaning.
“Needle Artists Speak Up…and Oh, the Stories They Tell!” is a presentation about needlework, though not about the craft itself or its decorative aspects. It is a presentation about the content of the embroideries; the stories that embroiderers tell and that give voice to their lives, passions and causes. The artists speak to us from decades and centuries past with their views of our Nation’s founding and its early years, U.S. politics & amendments to the U.S. Constitution, and finally, wars. Their stories give us insights into events that are not often recorded in the conventional historical narrative.
"The Art and Science of Appraising Needlework" gives insights into how needlework is valued by professional appraisers. The presentation reviews the process for appraising personal property, the valuation methods that are commonly applied to needlework and the "keys" to concluding value. Participants walk through short case studies that illustrate how the appraiser applies both connoisseurship (“art”) and technical methods (“science”) to conclude value. It shows that the huge variety in needlework forms, eras, and regional variations make every appraisal assignment a unique challenge.
"The Well Traveled Embroidery Motif Part Two: Motifs, Embellishments and the Evil Eye" reviews ancient and widespread beliefs in the power of the evil eye (and other evil spirits) that were thought to harm both humans and animals, man's precious companions. This presentation surveys how motifs and designs, embroidery placement and the addition of embellishments were used to protect wearers from such evil. It shows that these embroidery techniques have multiple and deep cultural roots even though the belief in magical powers has today yielded largely to their decorative appeal.
Customer Feedback...
"I loved your presentation and I'll never look at needlework the same way again!"
"Beautiful!"
"Wonderful presentation"
"Authoritative and engaging presentation style"
Contact me to schedule! Bookings available for 2025 and 2026
703-434-9376
Address
4525 Achilles Lane
Marshall, Virginia 20115
Phone
703-434-9376