When I explain my artwork to people for the first time I find that people often get stumped on the word 'embroidery'. When they think of embroidery they see tiny stitches on floral hand towels or coat hangers - but as we all know this humble stitching process can be so much more!

There are many great artists that use embroidery in their work but today I wanted to share a few of my favourites with you. I hope you find them as inspiring as I do.

JenineShereos uses the unconventional material of human hair to stitch these amazing tree leaves.

Photo credits Robert Diamante

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Who could resist the adorable work of English illustrator and artist Chloe Giordano. She creates delicate depictions of miniature animals rendered with freehand embroidery.

Munich-based Veselka Bulkan combines tiny felted vegetables with hand embroidered leaves to create these fun little pieces. I really love her use of the embroidery hoop as a frame and the way that the veggies hang of the hoop. You can pick up your own little veggie delight or one of her other stitched treasures at her etsy shop here.

English artist Claire Moynihan makes tiny entomological collections from embroidered insects and snails that sit on felt balls. Her sculptural embroidered critters are similar to traditional stumpwork embroidery.

Lithuatian artist Severija Inčirauskaitė-Kriaunevičienė applies standard floral and decorative patterns found in embroidery magazines to metallic objects like plates, spoons, lamps and even cars.

U.S. based artist Hillary Fayle suspends delicate embroidery into leaf specimens. I love the beauty and fragility of her pieces. She also does some amazing leaf cuttings. Check out more of her work on her website here.

Photo credits Natalie Hofert Photography