Mary Bird is a qualified teacher with a background in art and design, having studied at Birmingham College of Art, followed by a Teaching Certificate at West Midlands College of Education.
She has taught all age groups in schools but most of her teaching career has been involved in adult education.
For over 25 years, Mary worked for Dorset Education, teaching City and Guilds patchwork and quilting courses to Diploma level, as well as teaching other advanced textile techniques. Her particular talent is to encourage individuals develop skills beyond their expectations - and in a relaxed and enjoyable way. Ofsted rated her courses as ‘Outstanding’.
Her teaching skills were recognised by the City & Guilds Institute with a Certificate of Excellence.
In June 2016 Mary’s contemporary wall-hanging was selected for the Fine Art Quilt Masters Exhibition, an international juried competition held annually as part of the Festival of Quilts at the NEC, Birmingham. ‘It (the exhibition) celebrates the finest art quilts and encompasses work by some of the world’s leading quilt artists’.
2014 Mary won a first place award at the Grosvenor Exhibitions International Quilt Competition, London.
Mary now gives talks and runs Day Textile Workshops.
Since 2006 Mary has taught craft on board cruise ships. For these cruises she has designed and developed distinctive, high quality craft items in a range of media, but with a bias towards textiles. They are designed to appeal to novices as well as experienced crafts-people. Many projects are themed to each cruise itinerary.
Class participants take home unique keepsakes of their cruise, new skills and lots of happy memories.
Mary’s cruise-ship projects cover a range of media, with a bias towards textiles.
The very best quality materials are used, which Mary prepares in kit form ready for use, together with specially-designed work-sheets for each project. Although some projects may appear quite challenging, they can all be successfully achieved by everyone when taught in easy stages.
Below is a selection of Mary’s cruise projects:
The following recent Cruise History has been recorded for this candidate.