Eva Burnett
Eva Burnett is a historian, heritage craftsperson and educator. Her work explores the history of shoes and the craft practices of leather workers in the early modern period. Eva’s work uses traditional tools, materials and construction techniques to recreate shoes and other leather objects from the past. Her recent projects have included reconstructing shoes found on the Mary Rose, a replica 16th century football, and a variety of historical and modern purses. While Eva predominantly works with leather, she also enjoys a number of other crafts, particularly rush weaving and historical costuming.
Eva aims to share the craft of leatherworking with a larger audience through her work as a Living Historian and by providing heritage craft demonstrations. These have included events at Kentwell Hall, Athelhampton House, Craiova International Shakespeare Festival and the Wolsey 550 project. She has also worked in an educational role at the Food Museum.
Eva is currently studying for a masters in Building History at the University of Cambridge having previously gained a degree in History and Education Studies from Durham University. Her academic interests focus on medieval and early modern vernacular architecture. She draws on her academic background for her research into historical leatherwork, especially when exploring the history of shoes concealed in buildings.
