Nolan - hand embroidery by Misericordia 2014

There are two ways to approach a name commission; one is to start with the name and find some history, meaning or aesthetic in it that inspires the rest of the piece.

Nolan - hand embroidery by Misericordia 2014

Another is to start with the shape of the letters, find a font that seems to make the shape sing and then see if that suggests the next step.

Nolan - hand embroidery by Misericordia 2014

This commission was definitely the latter approach, I felt really stuck with it until I hit upon a rather lovely font which then instantly suggested the Book of Kells.

Nolan - hand embroidery by Misericordia 2014

After that, it was just a case of finding my most jewel-like colours and setting to work!