Di van Niekerk is passionate about all embroidery formats. She has taught various types of needlecraft for many years, training self-help groups in applique, candlewicking, quilting and ribbon embroidery. This developed into a fully-fledged mail order business with orders for her ribbons, books and designs (printed onto pure cotton fabric) that are dispatched all over the world.

In addition to hand-painting and marketing her own range of silk and organza ribbons to retail outlets worldwide, she owns a busy shop in the Crafters Market, next to the aquarium in the V&A Waterfront, Cape Town.

Di's latest titles "A Perfect World in ribbon embroidery and stumpwork", and Cicely Mary Barker's "Flower Fairies in ribbon embroidery and stumpwork" are both international bestsellers. The requirements for the projects in Di's books are available from stockists worldwide.

Di's new book "Monograms & Words / Embroidered Alphabets with ribbon embroidery" has just been published. A perfect companion for ribbon embroiderers, this book will show you how to make lovely monograms and words to personalize a gift for that special occasion or friend.