The Crafter's Way 141 - Eco Blogs

 This week's Messenger column, Eco Blogs



It’s time for another blog roundup. This time I’ve included blogs that while not exclusively ‘green’ have featured projects that recycle, reuse and repurpose.


http://lettersnumbersandbooksohmy.blogspot.com/  This particular post on Our Wonderful Wonderland features ideas for reusing plastic cupcake and deli containers. These projects are suitable for children.


I chose this blog because it had an idea for wooden curtain rings. http://thinkcrafts.com/blog/2010/06/16/art-in-3d/http://thinkcrafts.com/blog/2010/06/16/art-in-3d/  When I clicked on an included link I found this inspiring site. http://coffee-pot-people.blogspot.com/ I loved the coffee pot people, they had so much personality.

It must be time for a coffee break because I found yet another coffee themed blog. This one is recycling your coffee filter bags. http://www.crafttestdummies.com/paper-crafts/recycled-coffee-filter-flowers/ The sky is the limit with this idea i can see blooms in all the colours of the rainbow.


With many of their members aged between 15 -25 years the project featured here are sure to appeal to your teenagers. http://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects

Decorative bunting is very popular at the moment. Visit this blog for a version created from vintage embroidered doilies. http://lovestitches.wordpress.com/2010/06/02/more-vintage-embroidered-bunting/ A refreshing twist.


Every parent has had the experience where their child has preferred to play with the box rather than the present. Take this to a whole new level. http://craft-project.com/2010/05/23/doll-house-from-recycled-cardboard/ This a perfect project to do with the kids.

And finally 2 more blogs with green craft projects suitable for the younger members of the family. http://www.eco-artware.com/crafts/%20and%20http://craftingagreenworld.com/ 


If these blogs inspire you to create I would love to see photos. You can email them to trishalandesigns@bigpond.com

Creating for BrisStyle's Indie Eco Market

To get us in the mood for all things eco and green. This little fella was trying hard to have a snooze just outside our door last Sunday. Not much hope as he was low enough for all the kids to see him.

Enough of cute. Remember the Eco Dyed Thread coverd plastic rings? This is what I was making with them. The plastic rings have come off milk bottles and have been covered with my Eco Dyed threads. The felt discs have been embellished with the same threads. This needs to go on etsy, maybe tomorrow. I want to finish off the others before I start the time consuming process of listing.

I've also been making more of my gumballs. These still need some seed beads added. I'm not going to make these into necklaces for the market. I'm planning on selling them individually. That way people can decide how they want to use them.

And in my spare time I've been cutting up pre-loved t-shirtsto make some more T-Scarves. The way they are selling from the shop I'm not sure that I will have any left for the market. We'll see.

Okay, time to get back to work or I won't have anything to sell here or at the shop. 

Teaching Your Craft At a Craft Show

So you have a passion for your craft and have decided you want to have a go at teaching.



Perhaps you have been approached by a community group to give a demonstration. Or your local craft shop is keen for you to run a class. Unfortunately passion alone does not make us good teachers, nor does having a high level of skill in your particular craft. Don’t be put off; with a little planning and a few extra skills you can have class participants lining up at your door.



For the purposes of this article I’m going to concentrate on classes at Craft shows. Craft shows offer a wonderful opportunity to teach your chosen craft, they encourage crafters of every interest to try something new. There’s nothing a craft teacher likes more than a room full of eager learners. A room full of people you’ve never met before or likely to meet again. This means that this class is your one and only chance to build a rapport, teach a skill and drive ongoing sales. No pressure? This is where the time spent planning before hand is worth its weight in gold.



Teaching in a craft show environment can be challenging. If you’ve only ever taught in a shop classroom or a community meeting room then you may find this environment a little daunting. By being aware of the difficulties you will be well on the way to a successful session.



Room layout: If you are lucky the show organizers have designated rooms for classes. At the smaller regional shows you may only have floor space. Either way, the tables and chairs have been set up for multiple crafts. The area may be quite large with tables set up in an u-shape with space for you in the middle. If you wish to rearrange the furniture please check with show organizers first. At most shows rearranging the furniture won’t be an option. Don’t panic you will cope. If your class isn’t fully booked you could start by requesting participants to sit in the same general area. Explain why, most will understand.



Room set up: Some craft shows allow for set up and pack up time between classes, lots don’t. Check with the organizers before the show. I would recommend that when planning that you allow time for setting up and packing up into your allocated teaching time At best you’ll always be organized at worst you will have some extra teaching time.



Noise: Your voice will be competing with general background noise, PA’s and other classes. You can wear a microphone but in my experience they are notoriously temperamental. Seating participants in one area can lessen the strain on your voice. Check with participants that they can hear you. You may need to project your voice above the din but be careful that you aren’t yelling at participants. Protect your voice between sessions. If you are unsure if your voice will hold up consider revising your class load e.g. 1 session per day instead of 2. Remember: you can’t teach a class with no voice.



Lighting: Again, this is something you may have no control over. Check with organisers before show. Will they be providing suitable lighting? Can you bring your own? Don’t just assume. Check!



Okay we’ve covered the basic stuff that as a teacher you may have little control over. This next section is all about you, the craft teacher.


It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that running classes are a license to print money. Before you say yes to conducting a class stop for a moment and consider your primary purpose. Pretty obvious answer? To make money? Pretty obvious, well yes but it’s how and when you make your money that things get less obvious.



If you are hoping that classes will offset your show site fees then you will be tempted to have too many participants and risk them not learning. If you are hoping to drive sales back to your stall then you may set your price slightly lower and teach a base skill thoroughly. Participants are more likely to feel confident purchasing a kit or equipment to take home. If you are hoping to drive after show sales your purpose is different again. Carefully consider your class size. I’d rather limit the class numbers to 10 and be confident that they have all thoroughly learnt a skill that they can continue at home than book 20 and have only 5 get it. The rest leave feeling stressed and disillusioned, so do you.



The one thing that is consistent across all purposes is that you really need participants to learn what you are teaching. After all that is why we are here. This next bit is perhaps the most important component of teaching craft and the most likely to be skipped when planning. Taking a few moments during planning to consider these points and you teaching will improve.



Learning Styles: People learn differently. Some learn by hearing what you say, they can easily follow verbal instructions. Others learn by seeing. With these participants you can demonstrate once at normal speed, once at step-by-step pace then again at normal speed. Still others learn by doing. This might involve some trial and error but these participants are happy getting stuck right in. The difficulty is that at a craft show you won’t have any time to work out who learns how. Aim for a combination of strategies.



Take time to create good handouts. Handouts with written instructions combined with diagrams and photos will assist your visual and tactile learners. Creating handouts is a skill that takes time to develop. You can easily overwhelm participants with too much information. On the other hand we can skimp on detail. Listen to the questions your participants ask consistently across classes. It’s a hint that something is missing from your notes.



Personalities: Another factor in any teaching environment is different personalities. Adults come to the learning environments with lots of baggage. While it may be easy for us to dismiss these past experiences, for the participants it might still be fresh in their mind. Some have always learnt easily, others have struggled. Both can be challenging. Participants who ‘get it’ quickly need to be kept involved. They will be looking to move onto the next step, the next challenge before the rest. If the class is large, teachers can struggle to move 1or 2 people at a faster pace. Beware also of favouring the fast learner. It is easy to gravitate toward people who ‘get you’.



In any class the majority of participants will be working and learning at the same pace. However, you may also experience 1 or 2 who are struggling. This maybe because they don’t have the core skills, they fear of failing, difficulty seeing/hearing, disability or any number of other issues. At this stage of the class the reason probably doesn’t matter much. Again this group can dominate a class. They can slow down the learning of the majority when the teacher becomes engrossed in catching them up. On the other hand, if the teachers fails to check back, they can cause difficulties with their near neighbours by using them as teacher aids. There are many other personalities within a class environment. Just remember that they all paid the same money and deserve the same amount of attention no matter how we as teachers may personally feel.



Consider using a Lesson Plan. The benefits of a Lesson Plan are many; it helps organize your thoughts, is a resource if somebody else needs to do the class due to unforeseen circumstances, is a Risk Management Tool and can also be a Marketing Tool if you wish to promote your class to others. In short, a Lesson Plan will help ensure that you have covered everything discussed above.


Conducting a class at a Craft Show can be challenging however with a little planning you can also find that it is a rewarding and enjoyable experience.

For readers in Brisbane I will be conducting a 4 week course at Brisbane North Tafe on "How to Teach Your Craft". Course starts on Thursday 29th July.

8 x 8 Talk Creative Moreton

Just received this email from Creative Moreton.

Considering it's an Origin-free Wednesday night, why not come along to the Pine Rivers Art Gallery to experience an '8x8' night?



So... "What is an '8x8' night", you ask? It's a fun, fast paced celebration of arts, culture and heritage in the region!  8 presenters will each have 8 minutes to present images of their choosing - it might be about their work, their organisation, project, activity or thoughts!  It’s a great way to get to know about amazing things happening in your local area.

You never know what you are going to get at a '8x8' night! Without giving away too much, you will hear from (and meet!)...

• A photographer from Mount Glorious
• An energetic, emerging Creative Producer
• An artist who hand dyes threads and fabrics ( I wonder who that is?)
• A jazz percussionist who is undertaking a composition project
• A representative from a regional visual arts group
• An artsworker, speaking about two of the biggest festivals in the region.
• An actress who's just undertaken a development project based on local literature
• A curator of a local cultural venue

When & Where:

6.30pm, Wednesday 23 June
Pine Rivers Art Gallery

7/199 Gympie Road, Strathpine

[Parking off Mecklem Street]


Cost:

Free - with light refreshments provided. However, bookings are essential. Call into any Moreton Bay Regional Council customer service branch or contact council on 3205 0555.

The Crafter's Way 140 - Banskias to the Beach

 Here is this week's Messenger column, Banksias to Beach.



Bribie Island Community Arts Centre comes alive in July when they celebrate the Inaugural Banksias to Beach, Bribie Island Arts Festival 16th to 25th July.During the 10 days of the festival 18 fabulous tutors from all over Australia will be conducting almost 30 workshops the workshops. Even if you don’t feel like hands on experience there is still plenty to see and do.

Artist Demonstrations will be scattered throughout the Centre, artists will be presenting short workshops and demonstrations in a variety of art mediums, such as paint, sculpture, fibre art, mosaics, photography, gem work and woodwork.Creative Community Collages - find your creative voice exploring texture and design with ‘Tree Wrap Art’ and our own ‘Wish Fish’.

The Matthew Flinders Gallery will be host to the 12th Annual Matthew Flinders Art Competition Entrants Exhibit as well as the Festival Tutors Exhibition. The Bribie Woodies will be open during the festival with their woodturning, carving, pyrography and marquetry.

The Open Day Bonanza on Sunday 25th July will feature our wonderful Art and Craft Fair with locally handcrafted pottery, jewellery, fabric art, lead lighting, paintings, woodwork, embroidery, quilting and gem work, as well as home grown goods, a sausage sizzle and a Devonshire Tea. Entertainments will be provided by Juggling Workshops, the Silvertones, Cheerleaders, plus many more.


If you would like more information about the festival or the Bribie Island Community Arts Centre phone 3408 9288191. The centre is open Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 4pm at Sunderland Drive, Banksia Beach Qld 4507.

Vintage Patterns & Hints.

Went to a Garage Sale this morning. Found a couple of Vintage Bargains.
                                                  
This Pattern Book is a beauty.Has instructions for both Knitting and Crocheting. And not just the basics, shows how to do cables, fair isle and all the fancy stitches. Also includes patterns.

This knitting book has glove patterns for ladies and girls. I can remember my mother knitting us gloves when we were little. Also has  a couple of beret patterns and a  scarf pattern.

I couldn't leave this behind. From 1971, the Australian Women's Weekly's guide to Restoring Junk. I now know how to make my own gesso. Don't know how I coped before.

BrisStyle Eco Market

BrisStyle 1st ever Indie Eco market is fast approaching.

I'm super excited about this one. This will be my first ever BrisStyle Market.

In addition to our Eco Dyed Fabric & Threads I have been creating some interesting pieces using them.

Patience, Patience. Work in Progress.

New Stockist

We have a new stockist of a select range of TrishAlan Designs Hand Dyed Fabric. Introducing ...

Twilight Crafts is at 221 Ipswich St, Esk. Esk is a lovely drive, out past the dams (Yes, they have water in them at the moment), and then onto Toowoomba. So pop out and support them.

The Crafter's Way 139 - Book Review

Here is this week's Messenger column.

The Moreton Bay Regional Council Libraries have a wonderful variety of craft books to borrow. Many of these books are recent releases. These books all came from the Pathways Library. Check with your local library for their opening hours.

 Magic Lanterns by Mary Maguire (745.593 MAG)

From the simplest lanterns to more complex examples this book has all that you need to know to safely and creatively illuminate your party. Using easy to source materials the Author explains clearly how to create spectacular effects. Worried about candles catching alight? The Author suggests using bicycle lights. This simple alternative increases your options for where you can use these lanterns. Many are suitable for Children to make with Adult supervision, however if you are yearning for some creative time on your own there are a couple of structural lanterns that should fit the bill. My favourite designs was made using aluminum cans and household scissors.


Bridal Accessories by Jacquelynne Johnson (745.5941 JOH)

If you are looking to reduce costs associated with your wedding then this book will help. Simple but dazzling effects can be created with a little time. Not much of a sewer? Not to worry. The Author uses a hot glue gun wherever possible. Even if you aren’t planning a wedding many of these suggestions will work in different colour ways and fabrics.


Wire Jewellery by Chrissie Day (745.5942 Day)

This book should appeal to jewellery makers and crocheters alike. The Author has created projects that will appeal to many, crochet, knitted, twisted and beaded jewellery abound. If you have never tried using pre-knit wire there are a couple of very simple projects to encourage you, stretch, roll and twist it for your desired effect. The Suppliers list at the back only includes UK and US suppliers but you should be able to source most of the supplies listed locally.


Fiber and Beaded Jewelry by Helen Banes (745.594 BAN)

Inspired by African, Egyptian and Latin America these designs combine fibres and beads in the most amazing way. The first half of the book concentrates on the Author’s creative journey. The second covers projects and instructions. The projects will take a little longer to make than the ones in the book above but I’m sure you will find that they are worth the effort.

Vintage Tape Finished

The Vintage Cotton Tape has been ironed and packaged. These images were taken just before the ribbon was added. These will be available at our online store in the next couple of days. Each skein is 5m long and cost $5.00 AUD.

These both have a light and dark shade of colour spaced randomly along its length.

 These have a watercolour effect where the colours blend.

And last but not least this lovely Baby Blue. I aslo have one a darker variegated pink but the battery went flat on the camera so no photos just yet. you will be able to see it on the website shortly.

Vintage Tape

I was recently given some Vintage cotton tape. And I mean seriously vintage, at least 50 years old. It was quite funny how I ended up with so much. A friend was recently helping her mother downsize when she found a couple of small rolls. She quickly pilfered it for me. When I was showing Alan my stash he went quiet. He disappeared into his shed and brought out about a half a dozen more full rolls. It turns out that when this friend's father died Alan scored a lot of his 'shed stuff', complete with tape. It was in amazingly good condition, a bit yellow but no rotting. An overnight soak in Nappysan fixed that. Now you know there was no way it was staying white. Here is a few of the colours that I have dyed so far.

 As my friend Laura always describes it as 'Dirty Green'.

 A Dark Variegated Pink.

  And a lighter pink, hopefully, for Maygan.

 Blue for boys.

Black, Violet and Green for Aaron

Last but not least, Sorbet

Still have quite a bit to dye yet. Any suggestions for fun colourways. These aren't going to be a stock item so we may as well have some fun.

The Crafter's Way 138- Work of Our Hands

 Here is this week's Messenger column, Work of Our Hands.

Most of us are familiar with the generosity of Crafters. Many crafters donate handmade goods to charities, hospitals and other good works. Valarie Garber has taken this concept to a whole new level. I recently ‘met’ Valarie while researching a book I’m writing. Here is a little of her craft story.

Valarie Moved to Nambia in 2002. "I moved reluctantly to Windhoek, Namibia with my husband" says Valarie. "What is a sculptor and craft designer to do in Africa of all places?” Well, design crafts and sculpt of course! Valarie has extensive experience in the craft field; she tried many different mediums however found it difficult to focus on just one. In Africa Valarie discovered a reason for all the seemingly unrelated skills she had acquired over a lifetime. In a country divided by poverty Valarie decided that she could teach art & craft to unskilled Africans in the hope of providing an income. “Work of Our Hands” was created. Valarie began teaching a group of unemployed ladies to make paper mache bowls, before expanding to bead work, jewellery making, pottery, and sewing. Recently they added a ceramic bead making project.

Teaching in another culture is not without its challenges. Valarie recounts her first class, “Africans are typically late, and it drives me crazy! I tell them that in my culture it is very disrespectful to the teacher to be late. Also in America I was paid for teaching and since they do not pay me, what they can do is show me respect by being on time. Furthermore, anyone who is more than 15 min. late cannot stay, but must come back the next week.

 I remember teaching a bead class to a new group once. Fifteen min. after the class was suppose to start, no one had arrived. I went home. Next week everyone was there on time.” Another challenge is language, “I was teaching 5th graders in an international school when I said “Well, there’s more than one way to skin a cat” All the kids looked at me in shock and horror! That was until I said “just an expression, I didn’t really mean it!”

Work Of our Hands is a Not For Profit organisation. If you would like to read more about Valarie’s African Crafting adventure visit http://workofourhands.blogspot.com/

Saviour of the Lost Arts

As part of the Saviours of the Lost Arts at the Bleeding Heart Gallery a group of BrisStylettes conducted a information session with a couple of accompanying demonstrations. The photos were taken by Robyn of Hot Fudge.

Bec Hollis and I on the couch talking BrisStyle, Etsy and all things crafty.

Can't believe people took notes. Before we knew it time was up and I started my Kumihimo session.

Everyone was keen to have a go. the session was scheduled for 40 mins. Enought time to give a taste of how fun Kumihimo can be.
                                       

Withing 5 mins everyone was braiding confidently. Some even contnued braiding while watching the next demonstration. SOLA has been lots of fun. hope they run it again.

Website Update

Quick blog post to let everyone know that our e-commerce site will be down for a few days while I change host. Back soon!

Mountain Quilters Biennial Quilt Show

I had a lovely time last Saturday & Sunday at the Mountain Quilters Quilt Show. Peachester is in a lovely neck of the woods. It makes a great Sunday drive. Needless to say that me, my lead foot , Tom Petty and the Heatbreakers had a wonderful drive back down the mountain on Sunday Afternoon.

Our stall was quite depleted by close of Trade on Sunday. We also picked up a new stockist. Keep an eye on our stockist list over the next couple of days for details. Now for my 3 favourite quilts of the show. All three appealed to me for totally different reasons.

I loved the simplicity of this quilt but I'm sure its construction is anything but. This quilt was made by Trish Griffin.

 This is the detail.

Simply Striking!. Jenny O'Hara said that she made this quilt when bored. using all of the black & white fabric in her stash.

This Quilt was made from recycled jeans. it certainly appealed to my 'make do' side. Barb Grigor used jean cast offs from her grandchildren and op shops. I hope I got all the names of the makers correct. Please let me know if I got it wrong. Well done Ladies and thank you for an enjoyable weekend.