I’m a freelance writer and embroiderer. Neither of these make me cool. Once upon a time I was a biochemist. This also ranks pretty low in coolness. I still do occasional research work but these days my doctor title usually only gets pulled out when dealing with bankers. They treat you much nicer if you have one.
I live in Germany - entirely through my own fault - but grew up in Australia. There I had a rust-bucket Toyota called Bob, a ragged assortment of friends and those family people. Here I have a rust-bucket VW bus called The Bulli, a German husband and a mongrel dog. I’ve been here nine years and have decided to call it home, at least until I can afford that deserted pacific island.
I have a BSc(Hons) in biochemistry and a doctorate in protein crystallography. I’m still waiting for the day the overwhelming importance of the structure of a sugar cutting enzyme from a thermophilic bacteria is recognised and my doctoral work is justified.
Over the last decade I have worked as a researcher for a couple of universities, a biotech, international research organisations and pharma companies.
Recently I made the move into pharmaceutical Regulatory Affairs and can be found with the German affliate of these guys. Much to my own joy I’ve found I can still get by most days with a casual dress code.
I’m an embroiderer of many years habit, and an embroidery designer of many years wishfulness. I’ve had designs published in magazines and books, begun having exhibitions of my work and teach embroidery classes. While I like a number of embroidery methods, I prefer stumpwork - a three dimensional technique - and I try to avoid the cutsey-whatsits that has plagued embroidery for so long.
You can find most of my embroidery documented at my blog, Stitchalicious .
I’ve worked as a freelance writer in my favourite fields over the last few years. I’ve been a a science writer, travel blogger, a Berlin expert and an embroidery writer. Published fiction has so far avoided me, but I plan on catching the slippery blighter soon.
If you’ve questions,comments or know of a deserted pacific island going cheap, email me on jacinta at jacintalodge dot com.