Partially sighted King’s Lynn woman creates award-winning sugarcraft work
Partially sighted sugar crafting expert Jayne Hood from King's Lynn, has been awared a silver award in an international competition. Picture: Matthew Usher.
It is difficult to believe these beautiful arrangements of chrysanthemums are not real plants. Every bud, petal and leaf is intricately sculpted sugarcraft work completed by Jayne Hood who relies on her sense of touch to complete the pieces.
Partially sighted sugar crafting expert Jayne Hood from King's Lynn, has been awared a silver award in an international competition. Picture: Matthew Usher.
And, what makes them even more special, is that they were both recently named award-winning arrangements at a prestigious baking and cake decorating show.
Jayne Hood, of Station Road, in King's Lynn, said: 'I couldn't believe it when I found out my entries had received awards.
'This year has been one of the most challenging I've ever experienced. I became really involved in my sugarcraft work because I didn't want to be sitting in a chair all day feeling sorry for myself.
'It helped me take my mind off things and helped me focus on something else.'
She added: 'For the first time in a long time, I feel incredibly proud of myself.
'I've really managed to achieve something special and it has certainly helped my confidence.'
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Mrs Hood, 55, had been experiencing long-term issues with her sight in both eyes. She had a cornea transplant in her right eye in 2007 but an accident earlier this year left her eye sight severely impaired.
But it didn't stop her spending hours on the sugarcraft arrangements; filing each petal so the edges are completely smooth and making sure the leaves were the correct shape and size. Her family helped with any decisions related to colours.
'My sight is now like looking through a frosted window,' she said, 'and it takes so much longer to complete each piece.'
Both works were entered into the Cake International competition earlier this month.
The arrangement of white chrysanthemums represents six stages of the plant's life cycle, from when the bud first forms, to the flower opening and then dying.
This was awarded a silver. The colourful arrangement was awarded a merit.
Mrs Hood also runs sugarcraft courses at Celebration, By Mother Krusty in Gaywood. Contact 01553 762583 for information.
Has a hobby helped you through a difficult time? Email louise.hepburn@archant.co.uk
