“My industry mentoring session with Lucy was exactly what I needed to help point me in the right direction for building my resume, portfolio and brand as an artist. Lucy tailored the session to meet my needs perfectly, including spending extra time explaining how to curate my portfolio for both clients and industry professionals. I gained a wealth of knowledge in our session and was able to immediately apply her feedback to my work. I would recommend this service to anyone looking to grow their career in the industry or personal business.” - Mallory

“Having followed Lucy's beautiful designs, I felt more than ready to sign up for my 1st Industry Portfolio session via zoom. Lucy put me at ease as soon as we began discussing my lifelong enthusiasm and passion for embroidery. Her confidence and experience helped me to visualise a beautiful pathway towards my goal of creating, developing and sustaining my own textile design practice. Prior to the session, to help Lucy understand where I currently stood, I received clear instructions on how to transfer images of my work and written statements. It was reassuring to feel that Lucy would have a good idea of my style. My past apprehension, reluctance and fear all seem to dissolve as we discussed realistic ideas, good practice, time lines and future goals. Overall, the 1-to-1 session was extremely helpful and enlightening. Finally! I felt after many, many years of repeating the same old tired 'where to begin' mantra, I found my own 'design voice' through this hugely talented embroidery artist. As an added a bonus to this extremely helpful session, it was all recorded. So whenever I need a prompt, inspiration and motivation through my design journey I just press 'play'. Amazing!” - Tessa

“Lucy is a fine artist who is passionate & dedicated to the profession of the embroidery arts, and this is a quality that I seek in a mentor and an instructor. My recent industry mentoring session with her was more than I had expected, and I came away from our meeting with a more firm resolve and confidence on moving towards my own personal goals as an artist within this amazing industry of the fine art of embroidery. She is an incredible mentor, and I’m very pleased to have found such a professional like Lucy to provide advice and guidance at this stage of my own professional journey. Thank you Lucy!” - Jacqueline

“Today I received uplifting and succinct counsel from Lucy on how to develop my own lucrative embroidery shop. Candid and encouraging, Lucy has the industry bona fides to look at your work and make actionable recommendations for success. Meanwhile, she is easygoing and shares her methods of branding, promotion and invoicing (the real stuff!) to recruit commissions. Thank you, Lucy, for unlocking the world of freelance artistry!” - Christine

“I would highly recommend the mentor sessions Lucy offers. The advice is fantastic and extremely helpful. Lucy listens to what you want to achieve and then talks you through the best way to go about getting there. She is very passionate about embroidery which makes it so enjoyable. Lucy encourages you to follow your dreams and I know she is there if I need advice. I really came away with a clearer direction to my business and I will be booking a follow up session in a few months time. Worth every penny!” - Tina

“My industry mentoring session with Lucy Martin was so beneficial for me! Lucy gave me some amazing advice along with a tailored direction of what to do next in my practice. I feel happier and more confident with my work already and I’m now feeling more inspired. I’m ready to create new work in response to our session!” - Emma

“I wish I were as good at reviewing as Lucy Martin is at teaching, because then you would know exactly how superb her online classes are. Lucy presents meticulous technique even as she fosters a relaxed, encouraging atmosphere and sense of camaraderie. The courses I have taken (four to date, and more to come) use original designs that allow for practice and mastery of a generous number of skills, while the format affords a stunningly close-up view of both Lucy's work and of your own. In this way you can, if you want, receive very precise feedback. Because the lessons are recorded, you can watch and rewatch sections you might find tricky, and you can proceed at whatever pace suits you. As for the materials included, they are not only ample but of absolutely beautiful quality. One of the aspects of Lucy's teaching for which I am most grateful is her ability to articulate her explanations, ideas and suggestions. She regularly and frequently invites questions, and her responses to them have given me many lightbulb moments. My stitching has improved tremendously, resulting in a flurry of new ideas and experimentation. Lucy's courses are the very best I have ever taken, and I recommend them without reservation.” - Elizabeth

“I thoroughly enjoyed this class. I've learned a great deal of new methods of textile enhancement. Lucy and Charlotte are fantastic tutors and they make everyone feel valued and are incredibly encouraging. Lucy has created a fabulous community of students and I look forward to taking more classes through Hand and Lock.” - Heather

“I love all of the new and innovative courses you offer. Lucy is a treasure! She is patient, extremely knowledgeable, great designs, etc., etc. The kits have a great amount of supplies not just what we need for the sampler and I appreciate that. I look forward to becoming a lifetime advocate and student. I love the courses and Lucy is a fabulous instructor! I taught beadwork for 30 years and I am amazed at her natural teaching technique. She is a font of information, patient, and relaxed which is comforting to those of us who are new to goldwork. I have now taken 3 courses with her and plan to continue.” - Maggie

“Lucy was very patient and attentive to the class members; she's an excellent teacher (I taught for 30 years and value excellence in other teachers).” - Kathryn

“I thoroughly enjoyed the course. It was everything I hoped for and more. Lucy was fantastic. Always cheery, very knowledgeable, obviously highly skilled and very patient. I had only done in person courses before, so I wasn't sure how it would work out online. I would be happy to do online again now. Thank you very much!” - Jennifer

'This is my second zoom class with H&L and Lucy as well. I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed this class-words cannot describe how happy I have been with my results from Lucy’s tutelage and H&L’s zoom classes in general (I remember when they were only offered in the US rarely and quite far away from my home and I would agonize over how I would ever, ever be able to attend one!). I feel so lucky to be able to take your classes via zoom and thankful to have access to someone as bright, engaging, patient and talented as Lucy. She is a gifted teacher as well as professional in her field and I know that I reflect all of my fellow student’s opinions when I say that she provides a shining spot in our week when we get to tune-in for our classes with her. She is fantastic at pinpointing every step of each stitch and communicating that information clearly and succinctly. She then easily and quickly dissects her students’ work to provide clinical assistance or encouragement, as needed. She truly is a shining star at Hand & Lock and a gifted and well-loved teacher. This class was a great experience-not only for her addition, but for the breadth of techniques covered. I know that my overall embroidery skills improved greatly over the course, and I enjoyed learning so many fun new skills. I also very much enjoy the WhatsApp groups that Lucy creates for each class, bringing together like-minded students and allowing the group to go on after the class ends or we can join the larger group of former students. It’s GREAT to be part of that insider group-I love it and often find myself looking forward to news from the other students or from Lucy herself re H&L sales or new programs. It brings together the embroidery community in a positive and encouraging way! Thanks for another wonderful experience and I can’t wait to enrol in my next class!' Zophie

“I don't know how it is possible for Lucy to outdo herself, but each class she teaches is even better than the one before, and each design more beautiful. She goes out of her way to help each and every student master every element of a technique; she is patient and she has an unusual talent for being able to explain a technique in more than one way; and she creates a comfortable and friendly atmosphere. As for Charlotte, her instruction was extremely clear and well-paced, and like Lucy she was happy to help us troubleshoot and understand how to attain the results we wanted. Lucy and Charlotte together are a dream team” - Elizabeth

“I have really enjoyed the classes. The pace is flexible. The content is taught in a very relaxed way. Lucy is very patient and answers all questions. I really like the booklet that is provided. I also appreciate that recordings are provided as well. I live in area where the internet can be uncooperative at times. Having the opportunity to refer back to the recordings, is great. I look forward to every class. Thank you for providing these classes. Living outside of the UK, I like the opportunity that online classes have provided. I would not be able to learn these new techniques without this opportunity. I look forward to taking more in the future.” - Kim

"Absolutely loved the course and will continue to do more. It's my dream to visit the London Atelier. Maybe one day. Thank you sooooooo much Lucy Martin for such an inspiring course." - Zoe

“We had a fabulous time, digging out beads and goldwork materials (or delving into the kit supplied by Lucy), so that she could show us some of the techniques and processes she uses in her couture embroidery and her own artwork. Lucy’s training with the Royal School of Needlework was evident in the way she had transferred exquisite traditional techniques into her contemporary beading and goldwork practice, as well as being a confident and encouraging teacher.” - Warwickshire Stitchers

'Since this course was my first experience with H&L I have to say that the overall quality of your “service” was beyond my expectation. The tutor (Lucy) is well prepared and experienced, the quality of materials were amazing. An additional bonus was the technical background: it was like being in the same classroom with the tutor. It made the course’s atmosphere so welcoming and helped me understand the task in an instant.' - Andi

“Lucy is a delightful passionate and inspiring teacher with such depth that she understands and handles the classes which often have huge ability swings in it with great aplomb” - Debra

“Lucy is amazing and I am very excited about the next 3 courses I have already booked for next year.” - Tina

“I’ll bet you hear this often, but your class was life-changing. I am 76, and not looking too far in the future. Anything I do now is not looking ahead to a career, but for my own enjoyment. And boy, did I enjoy!” - Chris

“I did not know if the online class would be as good as my in person experience, but it was! Lucy was an exceptional teacher - she made a traditional stitch/techniques completely accessible and was encouraging throughout the classes. The technology was excellent - we were able to closely view Lucy’s stitches and receive immediate feedback about our own via What’s App.” - Mary

"Lucy was amazingly patient and clear in going over a technique I just could not get right. I got there in the end! Throughout the classes Lucy gave helpful individual feedback, all the while giving praise and encouragement. I found it a really satisfying and enjoyable course." - Cathy

“The technology you use has been invaluable. I love seeing both Lucy’s work and students’ work so clearly magnified. Being able to see in such detail has helped me improve my skills more than I would have expected. It is also invaluable to have recordings of the classes and therefore be able to watch demonstrations as many times as I want. My next course can’t start soon enough! Lucy is not only an extraordinary teacher but she keeps getting better and better.” - Elizabeth

“It is such a gift to be able to take the online classes you offer. There is just nowhere in the US that offers anything close to what you do. The course offerings are wide ranging and fresh, Lucy is an incredible teacher, the kits are great and keep improving, and the classroom atmosphere is thoroughly enjoyable. Thank you, thank you, thank you.” - Harriet

“A great course overall and wonderful teacher who was patient, kind, very skilled and passionate. Glad I could participate online and be part of the WhatsApp for connection to other learners in the group, gain encouraging feedback and share progress.” - Margo

“I take many creative/art/fibre/stitching courses on line. This by far has been my best experience. Lucy is a great tutor - she keeps the class (and discussion) on point without feeling rushed. She worked hard to foster a class community, as well as inviting us to the broader Hand and Lock What's App group. For this particular class, one week past the last session, we are still discussing, among ourselves, progress and future ideas toward completing our butterfly. I always felt as if I could reach out to Lucy for any questions during the course term. Lucy is also a great champion for Hand and Lock, ensuring we knew about all past as well as future resources from the school. Brava!” - Donna

“Where to begin? For starters, let me thank you for the clarity of the demonstrations because your cameras offer a better view of the stitching than anything I could get in person. The video is amazing, and I also love that we get to keep recordings of each class. Next, I loved Lucy’s approach — I felt I learned the “why” of a technique and could pursue it with some confidence. The challenge to come up with our own designs, which daunted me upon hearing, proved one of the very best features of the course. It opened up a lively flow of ideas about various techniques, with Lucy offering concise, clear and helpful overviews of each. So our class learned not only how to copy Lucy’s beautiful designs but how to apply her instruction in service of our individual imaginations. What could be better?” - Elizabeth

“Lucy's design gave me the opportunity to try a number of techniques so with the format and close-up view of Lucy's work it was outstanding. It was the first online embroidery class I have tried and the technology used was very impressive. I will definitely be booking on more classes with Lucy. I found the recordings invaluable as you could watch any sections that you found tricky again and again. Lucy's is generous sharing her knowledge and her enthusiasm makes her a wonderful teacher.” - Judith

“Lucy is a wonderful instructor. Some people are meant to teach, and Lucy is one of them. She answered all questions, no matter how often they had already been asked.” - Chris

“I have completed two of the online zoom courses with Lucy Martin and I thought both were outstanding! I have already booked another 5 courses, 2 of which have just started and they look like they are going to be just as amazing. Lucy’s teaching style is relaxed but comprehensive. She has so much knowledge to share. The final projects are stunning and I have continued to use the techniques I’ve learned long after the course being completed. I have also met some wonderful people who I keep in touch with and catch up with on other course. I think the courses are very good value for money and the content and materials are fantastic. I will definitely be booking even more!” - Tina

“Lucy is a joyful and charming teacher who encourages each of her students to be their best. She’s always advises through zoom any improvements to the work and nothing is too much trouble. She’s so helpful offering advice on every aspect of the work.” - Debra

“Lucy is a marvellous instructor. She is very patient, encouraging and her design was fabulous. She always answered questions over and over with a bounce in her voice. Her enthusiasm is contagious and how wonderful that she started teaching/designing at a young age. I am looking forward to taking more workshops with Lucy and also watching her develop in her career. She is well on the way. If I could give more than 5 stars I would” - Maggie

“I loved everything. I especially appreciated Lucy’s resourcefulness in finding ways for every individual participant to improve her technique, which is a roundabout way of saying that people varied widely in their previous embroidery experience and that Lucy somehow met everyone at their specific level. The class achieved a wonderful balance of fundamental techniques and creative inspiration. I came away with so many ideas. One of my very favourite courses.” - Elizabeth

“I was a complete beginner and it's a skill I've been wanting to learn for years. Due to learning difficulties it can take longer for me to understand new methods which can be really frustrating but Lucy made the teaching so clear and was brilliant in going over things a few times so that everyone had a chance to follow along and try again. Coming in as a beginner there was also so much reassurance and encouragement from Lucy which was really lovely” - Keira

“I loved the clever mixing of tambour and Goldwork techniques. As a beginner at tambour beading, I was really nervous and thought (after one lesson) that tambour and I would never get along and that I would never manage. But Lucy has a real talent at teaching : She took us through all techniques with a lot of patience, in a very relaxed way and she de-dramatized tambour beading. The journey was challenging, exciting and extremely gratifying! I can now say I love tambour thanks to Lucy's talented teaching. I train every day with great pleasure. It was a progressive and comprehensive class that showed us different techniques, aspects and possibilities. Just loved it ! Working along with the other people of the group was also very pleasant.” - Magalie

Many thanks to Lucy for her instruction and many stories! You're very good at keeping conversation going and that really helps the camaraderie of the class which adds so much to the enjoyment. - Dianna

“I loved hearing about Lucy’s experience in the fashion industry!! Learning all the new skills was super interesting but I thought the extra pieces of commissions and fashion world info made this class unique! I also loved the focus on industry standards and modern couture techniques in tambour! Would love to learn more tambour in the future!!” - Catherine

“Lucy was very patient and attentive to the class members; she's an excellent teacher (I taught for 30 years and value excellence in other teachers)” - Kathryn

“I loved everything. I especially appreciated Lucy’s resourcefulness in finding ways for every individual participant to improve her technique, which is a roundabout way of saying that people varied widely in their previous embroidery experience and that Lucy somehow met everyone at their specific level. The class achieved a wonderful balance of fundamental techniques and creative inspiration. I came away with so many ideas. One of my very favorite courses.” - Elizabeth

“I recently attended Lucy’s courses and would highly recommend her courses to anyone with an interest in sewing, goldwork or embroidery! The course was well thought out, the materials were beautiful and of high quality and everything we needed was provided. Lucy herself is a wonderful teacher, she has endless patience and skill and strikes a great balance between teaching new techniques and giving you the time you need to practice what you’ve learned with her support. She also provided me with guidance when I wasn’t sure which course I should be booking. I had a wonderful time and learnt bags of new skills that I can now go and use on a variety of other projects and would absolutely attend another of her courses in the future.” - Emily

"The workshop was brilliant! It was so lovely to meet Lucy and Freya in person. The instructions were clear and very well presented. The atmosphere was relaxed and happy. The museum director was also really lovely and very interested in what we were doing. Overall a fabulous experience." - Feedback from the Household Cavalry Museum

“I wanted to say a big thank you for the amazing Goldwork course a few weeks ago. Your instruction was clear and I loved the general atmosphere of the whole week and will definitely book some more courses.” - Marina

“Lucy has coordinated two fantastic goldwork workshops for us so far and the feedback we have received from our attendees has been exemplary. She has ably managed to teach classes containing a mix of beginners and long-time sewers without leaving anyone behind. The students have all thoroughly enjoyed themselves and we have been greatly impressed by the varied designs that Lucy has developed for each class. We are already looking forward to running our next session with Lucy” - Programmes Team, National Army Museum

“The quality of teaching was impeccable, Lucy had a way of explaining things that was easy to understand, and was happy to revisit areas where we might struggle. Feedback was really helpful and I feel that Lucy went above and beyond to ensure we got the most out of the experience as was possible. Thank you for running such a fabulous course!” - Amy

"A thoroughly enjoyable day. Giving an insight into a fascinating subject. Well tutored with good support throughout in a wonderful location!"- Feedback from the Household Cavalry Museum

"Thank you for teaching me a wonderful new skill: goldwork! It's been such a pleasure, time flew and even though it's humble beginnings for me I feel like I've come out of there with a lot of knowledge. You girls rock!"- Feedback from the Household Cavalry Museum