The Crafter’s Way 157- Craft Book Review

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 various libraries across the region. Check with your local library for opening hours and how you can borrow from other libraries.

Making Flowers in Paper Fabric & Ribbon by Steve & Megumi Biddle

I initially borrowed this book for personal use and while it wasn’t exactly what I was looking for I still found it to be an inspiring book. The projects are all created using some of the most easily affordable and sourced materials with the authors providing hints on where to purchase some of the more specialized items. The inside dust jacket states that each project is also accompanied by “ exceptionally clear and comprehensive illustrations with life sized templates”. This is what impressed me most about the book. I was left in no doubt that I could create these stunning arrangements with very little outlay. At first glance the book appears a little dated but this is purely aesthetical, the content is still spot on.

How to Make Beautiful Flowers (745.5943 HOWT)

This is a compilation book by Search Press. Chapters include instructions for making flowers in a variety of craft methods. Learn how to make Silk Flowers, Flowers from Shells, Bread Dough, Paper, Feathers and Nylon Stockings. The diagrams aren’t as easy to follow as the above book but if you have mastered the skills outlined in that you should have no trouble with the arrangements in this book.

A Crafter’s Book of Santas by Leslie Dierks (745.59412DIE)

There is a Santa for every craft, stitching, sculpting, paper mache, gourd decorating and knitting. Some of the Santas require a high level skill but most are simple yet effective. The Santa Slippers make me eternally grateful that we have a Summer Christmas, the Santa’s Baseball Cap made laugh but most just leave you wishing for the festive season. Knit the Christmas Story by Jan Messent (745.592MES)

With nine odd weeks until Christmas you still have time to knit the nativity. There is no need to race out and purchase specific yarn for these projects. The author has opted for colour samples rather than prescribing yarn weights so that it is possible to use up some of your leftover yarn. I admit 9 weeks might be cutting it a bit fine but why not get a head start on next year.

Lessons I've Learnt

Over the last couple of months there has been an increasing number of posts on blogs, facebook, twitter etc about people having the craft work copied.

I believe quotes along the line of 'imitation is a kind of flattery' are lame however I'm not sure that sniping and veiled comments via social media are terribly flattering either.

Here is what I have learnt:

1. There is nothing new in craft. Okay, we all want to think we are God's Creative Gift to the world but in my experience all we add is a new spin, a different interpretation to all that has gone before. Many years ago I was taught to make some flowers from paper strips and pieces.  An elderly mother of one of my clients showed me how to make them. We cut rags as part of vocational training and some of the fabric wasn't suitable so we started making tthe flowers out of fabric strips. Fast forward 25 years and somebody publishes a book on Fabric Jewellery using the same techniques. The author may very well believe that she invented the ideas  however I  continue make and sell these with a clear conscience.

2. Being aware of what your competition is doing is smart business. Focussing on what they are doing is not. While you are placing your energy in that direction you are not paying attention to your business.

3. The Copier is not going to stop doing it on the strength of your veiled comments.

4. Sniping and negativity adds nothing to your business, creative energies or reputation. You would be far better discussing the issue with the Copier privately.

5. If the Copier is stealing your Stockist then say a quiet Thank You. More than likely the Stockist isn't a good fit for you or your product.  Stockist who don't appreciate  & respect you and your work will probably end up sourcing a knockoff made from some poor half blind person sitting in the dirt somewhere in Asia. If you really feel that you have a point make directly to the Stockist. Ask them why they have chosen not to continue stocking your work, why have they chosen to buy from another. Maybe they don't undersand the ethics of handmade, maybe they are only interested in their bottom line. Either way the only way you are going to find out is to ask them.  You learn nothing while venting on Facebook etc.

6.This last point is made to the couple of Craft Artist that I know personally who have recently been affected by this sort of Copying and have vented via FB, Blogs and Twitter. However I am sure that this holds true for the  many others of you who are reading this. You are better than this. You have more class, creativity and style to indulge in these sorts of pointless comments toward people who lack the ethics to change their ways. Use it as a catalyst to develop to new creative lines and better business models.

Sometimes as Craft Artists we find oursleves believing that the business of craft is very different to other forms of business. Truly, its not. You will have all sorts of sucesses and knockbacks both creatively and financially. They will define you,  only you decide whether it is a positive or negative experience.

Alan’s First Class

Alan has been braiding and demonstrating for quite a while now and due to a clash in scheduled classes it was time he stepped up and learnt how to conduct the full full blown children’s class.

I di the first class of the day while Alan watched then he did the second class.

A sudden storm came through between the second and third class and washed out this area. Alan was a little panicky until we found an alternative venue then he was good to go again.  Today he ran 3 classes solo with only one little hiccup, he momentarily forgot which was his right hand and which was his left.

The kids all left happy and with a finished braid so he must have done something right. Maybe he should read my book?

Tie The Knot

I was recently asked to make a Braid for a Wedding Ceremony. The Bride & Groom want to include a Handfasting Ceremony.Initially the Bride requested a 13 strand braid however once we started discussing the details it quickly became apparent that what she really wanted was a braid with 13 specific colours.
The colours were Red, Pink, Orange, Yellow, Green, Brown, Blue, Purple, White, Grey, Black, Silver and Gold. I placed the Gold between the Red & Pink, the Silver was between the Blue & Purple.
It took about 20 mins of Braiding before the pattern started to develop and all up about 4 hours of braiding to complete the 1.6m length. Of course I  underestimated the time of setting up the bobbins but I was happy that the time I quoted for the braiding was spot on. I am thrilled with the result, I hope the Bride & Groom are as well.

The Crafter’s Way 156- Christmas Puffs

This week’s Messenger column is a tutorial on how to make Christmas Puffs. No last minute panicking about Christmas this year. This is a quick and simple decoration idea for your tree.

You will need: fabric, scissors, sewing needle and coordinating thread, 12 cm ribbon, stuffing and beads (optional),

Step 1: Trace a circle 15cm in diameter onto the wrong side of the fabric. I used a dip bowl. Cut on traced line. Step 2: Finger press the raw edge to the wrong side, sew in place using even running stitches. Step 3: Roll your stuffing into a ball and insert as you gather up the fabric into the puff shape. Be careful that you don’t overfill. Step 4: Fold ribbon in half. Insert ribbon into the centre of the puff. Secure ribbon and puff with a couple of backstitches. Embellish with beads if desired. Almost all fabric is suitable; sheers, silks, cotton, Christmas prints etc.

Kumihimo

Due to a large kumihimo order I’ve been able to indulge in my love of braiding during work time.

These are some finished bracelets.

And because I’m still practicing with using a lightbox you will have lots of images.

All of these braids have been created using the same  sequence of moves.

  The variations in pattern has been achieved by the placement of the various colours.

I’ve also chosen to use my marudai rather than the hand held disc. I can braid faster.

These five have been created using another sequence of moves, yet there are 2 distinct patterns. That’s enough practice with the lightbox, um, I mean Kumihimo for one day.

Progress

I’ve started working on this years stock of Christmas Decorations.

This is a finished one from last year.

All lined up. These have been bound and are waiting for the next step, the weaving. I posted a tutorial on how to make these last Christmas. Click on the Dorset Button category in the right nav bar.

I’ve got that many again all ready for embellishing with beads. I need to dye some more red thread as it is the one Christmas colour I am missing. I’ll post the finished images when I’m done.

These are based on the Christmas puff from last week but are MUCH smaller.

I’ve used a 3cm diameter circle for these ones.

A little fiddlier to make but still quick & simple.

A tutorial on how to make these will be published in this week’s Messenger column. I’ll post it to the blog on Sunday. 

Scraps of Fun

I really enjoy making fabric gumballs.  This time I took the time to separate my fabric scraps into colourways. I’ve made myself a necklace from some of the blue/purple gumballs. I added some beads to them before I joined them together. The rest are being sold separately, sans beads.You can find a tutorial for how to make Fabric Gumballs here.

The Crafter’s Way 155- More What’s On

More What’s On

There are still heaps of art and craft activities, workshops and exhibitions happening across the region over the next couple of weeks. Don’t stay in, get out and enjoy all that is on offer.

Have you always wanted to try Hand Papermaking? Award winning artist Lesa Hepburn will be conducting workshops at Studio Red, Redcliffe High School during October. Lesa, a Scarborough resident is a Paper Maker who specializes in making paper from natural plant fibres. This is a hands on workshop using Hand papermaking techniques for multiple sheet forming, printmaking & Artist Books using waste cotton rag pulp. For bookings email info@redhotfibre.com.au or phone 3203 6221

It’s Spring and there is no better time to learn how to create your own floral display with a minimum of materials. On Saturday 23^rd October the Pine Rivers Art Gallery is holding a workshop “Flowers with Flair – How to Impress with Less” from 1.00pm – 3.00pm. Ages: 15 years and up. Cost: $20 however there is some additional materials required. For more information about additional materials please phone Tracey Wallace, Pine Rivers Art Gallery Curator on ph: 3480 6942.

While we are enjoying the beautiful spring days why not head over to Bribie Island and visit the “Living with Wood” by the Bribie & District Woodcrafters Assoc. Visitors will see a wide variety of household items featuring an array of different timber types and designs. Expect to see examples of woodturning, carving, finishing, toy making, furniture making, scroll sawing, marquetry, and box making. Before you leave make sure you participate in the competition to identify a number of timber samples and to select your choice for the "Peoples Choice Award". Exhibition runs until Sunday 24^th October at the Bribie Island Community Arts Centre. Ph 3408 or email bribieartscentre@yahoo.com.au for opening times.

Don’t forget the Moreton Bay Regional Council kicks off another round of their ever popular Older & Bolder program for the over 50’s. Try your hand at Quilling, African Drumming, Knotting & Looping or Rag Rug Making. You can download a brochure here http://www.moretonbay.qld.gov.au/olderbolder There is something for every interest.

Images: “Scarab” by Lesa Hepburn, 2010. 101.6cmx101.6cm Paper, pigment and rachises on canvas.

Get Knotted

One of our local councils recently asked me to develop another class along the same lines as the Kumhimo Classes. Get Knotted, still narrowares, will feature as part of the Older & Bolder Program that continues until the end of November.

Alan made me some stands that will allow the threads to be kept at tension.The finished braid rolls around the centre bar so that the participant can keep sitting in same place.

We will be using satin cord in the class simply because if any of the participants have arthritis, poor eyesight etc they will still be able to manage. I have made some samples from other threads so they can see some of the possibilities. First class is on Friday and I still need to write the instruction sheets and draw the diagrams. Might be a work in progress.

Christmas Puffs

I’ve been busy gearing up for Christmas Markets and can finally show you some of the new creations.The sheer Puffs have been made from a curtain fabric sample book I picked up at an Opshop.

You can see where I cut out the square. The rest have been made from old scarves, tablecloths, the lining from my Mother’s wedding dress etc.

   Here are a few more puffs.

Silver Blue

Red

And Blue Green.

Some of the Puffs are available in my etsy store.  

The Crafter’s Way 154- Romancing the Memory

This week’s Messenger column, Romancing the Memory.

Artisan’s next exhibition will reveal the forgotten history of tinsmithing in Southeast Qld. From the 7^th October through to 13 November Barbara Heath shares her collection of extraordinary new objects, inspired by this lost craft.

‘New tricks from old trades’ is how Barbara describes this new work. Best known for her superb precious jewellery, this is an exciting new direction for her. Heath has made striking candlesticks, Hausgeisters and Hanging Crowns as well as a Japanese-inspired rain chain, a downpipe substitute that creates a water feature from roof run-off.

Barbara discovered that tinsmithing had a colourful local history. “Tin was once as common in our everyday lives as plastic is today. There were many tinsmiths in

Brisbane and the R.C. Verney & Sons factory in Fortitude Valley even combined tinsmithing with jam making,” says Barbara.

Tinsmith : An Ordinary Romance exhibits a collection of old tinwares from private collectors, and even the tin patterns of Graeme Gillespie, one of Brisbane’s last working tinsmiths, alongside Barbara’s new objects. This reveals the link between her work and the techniques, shapes and forms of the early Queensland metalworkers.

Next door in artisan’s Crucible space is Memory Strands, an exhibition by Patricia Bianco. After inheriting a sewing room filled with multi-coloured threads, textured wools, buttons, richly coloured fabrics and all sorts of haberdashery, Patricia began to think about using the materials in a new manner.

Patricia began by knitting strips of embroidery threads and then stitching the strips to small canvases. Patricia moved on to applying her technique to vessels. “I’m interested in the handmade baskets, pottery and carved wooden bowls that were used every day, and how the craftsman left an imprint on these items ” says Bianco. Memory Strands combines the warmth and domesticity of craft with the concepts of contemporary art movement.

artisan is at 381 Brunswick St. Fortitude Valley. Ph 3215 0800 for more information.

Do You Do This?

I’ve been diligently working on My Sunday Project. I have finished all the appliquéing and the first lot of stitching the vine.  When I was ready to start stitching the vine I carefully transferred the design onto the fabric using transfer paper. Then I decided that it needed more vines. This time round I simply couldn’t be bothered transferring the design. I got out a lead pencil and added the design freehand. Works for me!

The Crafter’s Way 153 – Out & About

This week’s Messenger column features a run down of all that is happening Out & About.

The Art & Craft Scene is gearing up for a very busy period. Grab your diary and start claiming some dates.

October 2^nd, 1.00pm – 3.30pm you can make a fabulous fascinator headpiece at the Pine Rivers Art Gallery. Cost is $20, Bookings essential. Phone 3480 6941

ATASDA is holding a Textile Social Day at Bribie Island Arts Centre from 10.30am – 1.30pm.

October 4^th, Join one of the Artistic Discovery tours at the Redcliffe Art Gallery. Held in conjunction with their 38 piece exhibition Interpretive Matter - Looking at Abstraction by Australian Artists, residents and visitors will be able to get first hand advice and tips on understanding, exploring and discovering the inspiration behind works from renowned artists. The exhibition continues until October 16. Phone 3283 0415

October 7^th, artisan Gallery will launch The Brisbane Audio Design Museum. The Audio Design Museum will feature two permanent audio tours focused on the design-savvy Fortitude Valley precinct and the cultural hub of South Brisbane. The tours will provide a look and listen behind the scenes of working designer’s studios. The tours will be available for free download as podcasts for iPods, iPhones and mp3 players from www.audiodesignmuseum.com The podcasts are narrated with personal anecdotes and stories from local designers and include supporting maps and imagery.

October 9^th, 9am – 2pm BrisStyle Indie Mother and Child Market is turning a brighter shade of pink in support of National Breast Cancer Month. The entire Racecourse Rd Precinct will come to life with pink balloons, yarn bombed trees and a myriad of festivities to support the Mater Hospital’s “Chicks in Pink” charity. In the middle of this precinct you will find St Augustine’s Church hall filled to the brim with beautiful and unique handmade items for Mums and children of all ages. For the kids the gorgeous BrisStyle fairy will be back and the talented Wowee Face Painters will be onsite to create the wildest designs for all the kids. Support Chicks in Pink and get tickled pink at Brisbane’s HOTtest destination for everything handmade for Mother and Child on Saturday October 9^th Please visit http://bris-style.com

All images are from BrisStyle Indie Mother and Child Market

On The Fringe

I finally got a chance to dye the fringing I picked up from my  recent opshop visits.

I dyed the pink/orange combination and both rainbows using my Eco Dyeing method.

The greens were just dipped into some left over dye from the graduation packs at the top. I definitely prefer the Eco Dyeing method. It’s less messy and I can dye more with less. From a commercial point of view the Eco Dyeing method is much more viable.

The end result is vibrant, colourful and colourfast.