Bleeding fingers and hundreds of hours of toil. That, according to Sydney artist Christina Newberry, is what it takes to make it to the pointy end of the intricate world of high-quality embroidery.
Her latest creation, a stunning hand-stitched neck-piece made partly from puzzle pieces and silk scraps, is a finalist in the open category of the prestigious Hand & Lock Prize for Embroidery.
More than 500 people from 23 countries entered the awards, so just making it to tonight's finals in London is an enormous, and somewhat painful, achievement.
"When I completed this work my fingers were full of holes because I just can't seem to use a thimble," Ms Newberry said.
"People sort of talk about it being a gentle art and really it felt like anything but when I was finished.
"But being here is quite special, I like the fact you can represent your country doing this."
Another Australian, Ali Rauf, is among the 32 finalists, which come from as far afield as the United States, England and China.
Other entries to make the cut include a detailed interpretation of a playing card and a stunning phoenix, based on "mythology and folklore".
"Six people will come away with prizes," said Robert McCaffrey from Hand & Lock, the 250-year-old London embroidery house that runs the awards.
"That's fairly good odds considering you have two Australians in the mix."
Hand & Lock has counted military regiments, royalty and high fashion houses among its clients since the 18th century.
It hopes the $55,000 in prize money encourages more people to take up embroidery as a hobby.
"It's not a dying art," insists Mr McCaffrey.
"It's thriving as an industry … we are busier than ever.
"Embroidery by its nature often means sitting alone still for long periods, it's really hard work and we want to celebrate that."
