About

Joyce Houck was a Human Resource Manager in her professional life until she retired. She rekindled her love of needle work once she had more time to spend doing the things she enjoyed.

She has done all forms of needlework over her 41 years of stitching.  Her interest has gone from simple cross stitch to her passion of realistic silk shading.  Her introduction to silk shading/thread painting came from a friend who attended an Embroiderers’ Guild of America National Seminar and returned to share her learned knowledge with the needlepoint group.  In the past 9 years she has devoted all of her time to her passion of silk shading/thread painting. 

Joyce has taken numerous private and seminar classes with national and international teachers, trying to hone her skills.  After being encouraged to consider teaching by a national judge, she took private lessons from an expert tutor in silk shading/thread painting at the Royal School of Needlework  in London  and later returned there to continue her studies.  Joyce completed their certification and diploma program in silk shading in 2016 and 2017.

Since then she has done commissioned pet portraits and has taught locally and is contracted to teach regionally and nationally in 2021 at the Embroiderers’ Guild of America National Seminar.  Her source of inspiration comes from world travels and photography to create her designs which include flowers, puppy and dog portraits, as well as birds of the world.  Be sure to look for her available classes.

Joyce has exhibited locally and nationally and has received awards for “Best in Show”, “Best Original Designs”, “Best Technical Skill” and “People’s Choice Awards”.  Because of the numerous submissions of dog portraits, many people refer to her as the “Dog Lady” at the annual Woodlawn Needlework Show in Alexandria, VA.

Joyce is a member of the American Needlepoint Guild and serves as the president of her local chapter, Seven Hills Chapter. In addition she is a member of the Embroiderers’ Guild of American and the Academy of Needle Arts.

Joyce has been featured in a number of magazine articles for her award winning needlearts. Check out our News & Info page to read more about her accomplishments.

She and her husband Tom reside in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Forest, VA with their 11-year-old English setter, Sugar, and their most recent addition, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel named Sadie. 

Please enjoy browsing through Joyce’s pages where you will find lovely thread painted and stumpwork pieces that are offered in classes and kits.