Brisbane Etsy Craft Party 2014: The Pics

Just popping in to share some pics from our Etsy Craft Party, a global event where everyone gets together to craft. The video, if you missed it sums everything up and can be viewed here. The amazing cake above was made by Cake Tart.

The theme for the night was Recapture: Bring new life to your old photographs.

The stitching table above was my zone for the night and everyone did an amazing job of adding detailed stitches to their pics.

Zombified parents, love this one!

The paper cutting, illustrating, calligraphy, collage table.

Our make-shift photo booth :)

The gals behind the scenes, I loved working with Jules (and Jon) of Sconnie and Jam and Trudy of Trudy Florence on this amazing event.

Everyone received a super crafty goodie bag at the end!

Here's a few photographs I worked on in the lead up to the event as examples, I really enjoyed creating these, it's always nice to stitch in a different medium:

That's my Pop on the right.

 I thought I'd have a go at creating a loom weaving on this one, a little trickier than stitching but I like the results, this one is still a work in progress... and that's my Pop on the right again :)

Country Boy strawberry picking in Stanthorpe.

And I'm super happy with this one of my nieces (well 4 of them), I think it definitely inspired some rainbow stitching after doing the rounds on Etsy in the lead up. I think I'll be gifting it to rainbow niece in front for her birthday and I have plans for variations on this pic for the other three too.

If you're in Brisbane you do not want to miss the next MAD craft party, you can keep updated here. I can't wait!!

Brisbane Etsy Craft Party 2014: The Video

It was so much fun working with Jules and Jon (Sconnie and Jam) and Trudy (Trudy Florence) on the Etsy Craft Party this year. This video Wayne (aka Country Boy) put together sums it all up. This was the first MAD Craft Party in Brisbane, to keep updated on future events check out the Facebook page here.

brisbane: crochet cowl workshop

 

Join me and the Brisbane Brown Owls at The Craft Nest for a fun little crochet workshop.

A great looped scarf project for absolute beginners or for those of you wanting to whip up a new accessory this Winter. Use up your yarn and wool scraps or larger balls of yarn tucked away in your stash.

OR Bring Your Own Craft for a fun night out.

Date: Tuesday 17 June, 6-9pm
Venue: The Craft Nest, 30 Fallon Cottage, Fallon Street, Everton Park
Cost: $5 payable at the door

What to bring:
- Yarn or wool of your choice: Anything from 8ply upwards works well, the thicker the better for beginners. You can bring full balls or left over bits and pieces for interesting texture and colour.
- Crochet hook. 4.5-5mm and larger is great for beginners but check the tag on your wool or yarn for recommended size.
- Tea and coffee will be provided but you are welcome to bring along a plate to share for supper.

A note for beginners: I will have some extra wool and yarn available for gold coin donation to get you started if you're not sure what to buy. Please bring along a 4.5 or 5mm hook as I only have a few of these.
 

RSVP essential! Email brisbanebrownowls@gmail.com

See you there!

Star Weaving with Maryann Talia Pau

Photo: Martina Gemola

Star Weaving workshop with Maryann Talia Pau this Sunday 8 June for the 1 million stars to end violence project. Check out all of the details here.

 

  Photo: Nik Harrison

creative skills at homeless connect

Last week Wayne and I attended Brisbane City Council's Homeless Connect event to teach macramé.

We had a great day at this very important event where loads of services are available like doctors, hairdressers, dentists, vets, etc as well as housing, youth and lots more community services; plus clothing, toiletries, books, blankets, swags, food and much, much more. All free and all in the one location for people who are homeless and/or at risk.

The spirit of the event was amazing and brought home a lot of things for both of us about what we personally try to achieve in the community through sharing creative skills and empowering people through creativity.

Homeless Connect is on every year and anyone can volunteer and take part in the day.You can find out more information here.

Brisbane Etsy Craft Party

My stitching prep for Brisbane's Etsy craft party!

I'm so very excited to be joining forces with Sconnie and Jam, Trudy Florence Paper Cutting and more talented crafters, designers and illustrators for the 2014 Etsy Craft Party on Friday 6 June!

Trudy Florence Paper Cutting

Presented by Brisbane Brown Owls and Makers and Designers Australia it will be a huge night of stitching, paper cutting, illustrating and collaging to bring life to your photographs! Plus nibbles, drinks, lucky door prize and goodie bags bulging with crafty goodness.

 

Sconnie and Jam

For all of the details and to RSVP (essential!) head here.

macramé workshop west end

Macramé & Cocktails!
At Jungle Bar in West End.
Free workshop with cocktail purchase on the first Wednesday of the month, next one Wednesday 4 June.
We'll be there from 6:30pm, get there early for a seat!
All materials provided :)

brisbane: macramé workshop

Macramé & Cocktails!
At Jungle Bar in West End.
Free workshop with cocktail purchase on the first Wednesday of the month, next one this Wednesday 7 May.
We'll be there from 6:30pm, get there early for a seat!
All materials provided :)

basket weaving camp

Last month we were lucky enough to nab a spot at Anaheke Metua's first Weaving Circles camp at Minjerribah (Stradbroke Island). It was so wonderful to spend two full days weaving by the sea on the first day and at Brown Lake on the second day.

On the first day we made melon baskets. I had made one of these last year at Anaheke's Northey Street workshop but I loved spending the full day making this larger version.

Miriwinni (above right) and Louise. Miriwinni is an amazing Aboriginal weaving artist and has been working on these beautiful hats for Indigenous Fashion Week, made from fibres harvested from the beach. It was so lovely to meet her and everyone at camp. Louise also kindly brought beautiful reeds locally harvested from Minjerribah waterways, you can see the green in my basket below.

I added some banana rope around the handle of my basket (I'm making it above). And here's Wayne's basket below in the foreground, it's very neat and the main body of it is woven with Bangalow palm. It's traditional to gift the first basket you make but I won't mention who he's giving it to just yet :)

  

We spent day two at Brown Lake, I was so happy to be back there, my Dad lived on the island years ago so it was really lovely to re-connect with all of these beautiful locations, what a privilege to be able to spend time at Minjerribah and with the local Quandamooka women.

Anaheke had beautiful fibres for us to work with including naturally dyed raffia and inflorescence for coil weaving.

I have always loved coil weaving, I think the process is akin to embroidery for me, it's all about slowing down and hand-stitching something with care. It's meditative and I always become lost in my own thoughts and feel deeply relaxed.

 
I'm so used to working with textiles and recycled materials and I love coming to Anaheke's workshops for the opportunity to use beautiful natural fibres. The turmeric dyed raffia was the most amazing orange colour and had that beautiful earthy scent that we love when cooking with turmeric.

Cheeky goannas trying to get in on the action (and our lunch!)

I managed to weave a little lid and attach it but I'm still working on some raffia string for handles and a little closure. I'll post a picture of my finished basket soon.

We are so looking forward to the next weaving camp and our fingers are crossed that it will fall on a weekend when we're not away. I highly recommend Weaving Circles for those of you who are really needing to take time out, slow down and re-connect with nature and the land. It certainly did me the world of good and made me re-think my year ahead and my crafty priorities.

For more info about Anaheke and Weaving Circles check out her Facebook page and also her weaving workshops at Northey Street City Farm. We might see you there!

getting our craft on in brisbane news

We were so excited when Charley Rico the fab journalist from Brisbane News contacted us about a feature article on getting together and crafting with like-minded people. Having just come off the back of the Art Bites workshop program and diving straight in to the Brown Owls 2014 program we had loads to say and it was a pleasure to have a chat with Charley and also a lot of fun doing the photo shoot together.

I was thrilled to bits to see the lovely Julie Hillier from Ministry of Handmade in the article. I think she's really revolutionising craft workshops in Brisbane and in fact I'm heading to one of her workshops this Sunday, what a treat!

To read the full article head here.