2021

RE-POTTING PLANT FRIENDS

dECEMBER

DYING WITH AVOCARDO SKINS & PIPS

LEARNING TO SPIN

DARNING SOCKS

THE LIVING WOOD FAIR

roadtrip

WET-FELTED WRIST WARMERS

WORKSHOP

In this workshop held at the Rekindle workshop I learnt how to welt-felt a pair of merino wool wrist warmers.

Event Host: Simone Bensdorp

WELT-FELTED HOT WATER-BOTTLE COVER

WORKSHOP

In this workshop held and the Rekindle workshop I learnt how to welt-felt my first 3D object; a hot water-bottle cover made with merino wool and eco-printed and dyed with foraged silver dollar eucalyptus! I’m so impressed with the stunning orange/red tones in this botanical dyestuff.

Event Host: Simone Bensdorp

REKINDLE CRAFTPERSONS RESIDENCY

I was so fortunate to have been given the opportunity to do an artist residency with Rekindle! I’d been saying for years that, as part of my practice, I'd like to be sharing the knowledge and skills I’ve learnt over the years, and this residency was the perfect beginning of that journey.

“Rekindle draws people together to create and share opportunities for resourcefulness. Each project has promoted the skills and knowledge involved in creating what we need from the life within us and around us, for the wellbeing of planet and people. We engage with local resources through care and craft, this being the opposite of wastefulness. We find that craft connects us, and that it is vital for creating what we need from what we have.”

The outcome of my residency was to have designed a beginners weaving workshop, where participants would weave a small woolen bag that could be worn either as a backpack or shoulder bag. The idea was to introduce participants to one weaving pattern that could be used in a variety of ways (plain weave). The cardboard loom offered inspiration and accessibility, showing a creative way to continue with this craft from home without needing to buy any specialist equipment. Garden pegs were used to help with tension, a darning or tapestry needle was used to weave in the yarn and a second-hand button or toggle was used for the closure to the bag.

The residency really helped me develop as a craftsperson. I particularly found it helpful from a sustainability point of view as Rekindle is really driven from this core value - resourceful craft. Research was a key part of this project, finding the best local wool was key as this was the main material used for the workshop, and searching through op-shops for buttons and alternative materials to inspire participants of the endless creative potential that the have before them. When weaving on the loom there is always some material wastage so I also wanted to find a way to reduce this, weaving in all yarn ends became the solution for this, the warp (vertical threads) were also all used as reinforcement woven back into the bag and used as the toggle and strap loops.