Guest Tutor Spotlight: Charlotte Gaunt

Charlotte Gaunt is an artist who defies neat categorisation. As the founder of Rediscovered By, a Rutland-based fabric and wallpaper studio, she’s earned a reputation for fusing traditional textile techniques with a playful, contemporary sensibility. Her work is curious, considered and often quietly subversive – a foxglove here, a flocked bumblebee there – always grounded in nature and steeped in history.

A graduate of Goldsmiths University with further training at the Fabric Workshop and Museum in Philadelphia, Charlotte brings serious technical skill to her creative practice. But it’s her eye for storytelling and texture that sets her apart. Working across screen printing, embroidery and design, she creates work that’s both delicate and durable – destined to live on walls, on tables and in hearts.

Rediscovered By / Charlotte Gaunt Tutor Bio Images

Charlotte's Creations

Charlotte’s studio practice also reflects a broader cultural shift: the return to tactile, meaningful design, and the rediscovery of craft as a source of both beauty and connection. With a growing audience of interior designers, stylists, and sustainability-minded collectors, she’s uniquely positioned at the intersection of art, design, and environmental consciousness.

You may have seen Charlotte’s creations featured in Homes & Gardens, World of Interiors, Period Living, Tatler, Country Living, The Times and more. Her recent collaboration with Knots Rugs saw her original artworks interpreted into hand-knotted rugs in silk, wool and linen by traditional artisans in Nepal – a perfect example of her respect for heritage and craftsmanship.

Charlotte has also worked closely with Gainsborough Weaving and Burghley House, drawing from historic archives to reimagine classic motifs through printed textiles, woven fabrics and embroidery. One standout project involved interpreting archival material through the form of a Chippendale chair, with embroidered elements contributed by both Charlotte and Head of Education Lucy Martin.

That spirit of collaboration continues at Hand & Lock. Working with Lucy has naturally informed Charlotte’s teaching and creative development. A recent class project – a goldwork Luneville butterfly – spent 12 months in development. Conceived as a sculptural element for wall coverings, it’s since grown into a whimsical installation when paired with 3D dragonflies and butterflies: delicate, enchanting and entirely unique.

Design, Print and Embellish your own Tote Bag Class with Rediscovered By

The Art of Teaching

As a Hand & Lock tutor, Charlotte brings the same curiosity and joy to her classes. “The enthusiasm and interest the students have is infectious,” she says. “The spin-off groups that Lucy has facilitated are a warm, vibrant community which radiates into the teaching. I feel very lucky to be teaching at such an historic institution which is alive with warmth and skill.”

Charlotte also teaches on the Hand & Lock Diploma, where her love of material, process and narrative brings depth to the curriculum. Whether she’s sharing a new technique or drawing attention to the texture of a thread, her approach encourages experimentation and joy.

Finding Inspiration

Charlotte finds inspiration everywhere – often in the quiet corners. “Old illustrated books by Arthur Rackham have been on my mind recently,” she says, referencing his Sleeping Beauty series. “They use simple silhouettes and pink highlights to create so much mood and story.” She also draws inspiration from nature documentaries, museum collections and the behind-the-scenes archives where overlooked beauty hides in drawers and storerooms.

At the core of Charlotte’s work is a belief in the power of creative education. “Embroidery education is vital for teaching ways of problem solving, understanding ourselves and having compassion for others,” she says. “It provides an outlet for the things that can’t be articulated. It’s a shared global language we all have access to if we’re given the space to learn and play – whether child or adult.”

We’re proud to have Charlotte as part of the Hand & Lock teaching team. Her ability to reinterpret tradition and encourage creative confidence makes her an essential part of our community – and a joy to learn from.