BROADCAST OF THE MONTH

ITS OFFICIAL - WE'RE BACK!

After another long month in the writing, editing and finally photo shoot bunker we are now officially climbing out of the publication abyss and hitting the gallery, workshop, workbench circuit again.
Ramona's been off in Adelaide opening jeweller Sim Luttin's fab new show (which we'll more about) while I've been recovering in bed from the post photo shoot flu (which we shall never speak of again). But enough about us. What you really want is to hear all about the incredible adventures happening in the craftiverse's during the next month.

EXHIBITIONS TO SEE
Impressa

Anna Davern's new exhibition of contemporary jewellery is one worth making time for. Continuting her own practice of riffing on royalty, politicians, colonialism and the 'cultured' elite this new exhibition of works references the traditions of portrait miniatures skewered brilliantly with wit and design nous. Davern manually manipulates the highly regulated imagery of the British monarchy and upper classes by slicing and dicing in a way that distorts and dissects the traditional depictions of empire and social position. Clever clever collage.

May 11- 23 at E.g.etal
opens Friday 15th May from 5-7pm.

Exquisite Threads

Seriously important for anyone interested in needlework, feminism, history and culture (isn't that all of us!) This collection of english pieces from the 1600's to 1900's is a testament to the skill of the domestic crafter throughout English history. Over 60 works are displayed, each representing the integral place handwork held as both an educational tool and creative outlet.  Ramona hit this one up on the weekend and tells me its gobsmacking. Recommendation enough I think!

NGV International ground level, until July 15.

Numurkah 

Somewhere between Old Gregg and Aphrodite lies the under sea neo-psychedelia of local jeweller Milly Savage. Her approach is unique, raw and mystical, simultaneously reverent of the culturally attributed 'magic' attached to precious metals and stones as well as playfully recontextualising their traditional vaulted placement into new bubblegum-hued underworlds complete with magic foam and iridescent foil. Her use of lost wax casting adds weight in both physical and metaphysical ways, adding an alchemical touch to works already brimming with vitality. Seriously cool stuff we can't get enough of. 

24/7 in the Craft Victoria window until June 2.


WORKSHOPS/LECTURES

Tea x Zen and Chawan Fetish

Its fair to say that melbourne has developed a strong taste for all things Japanese and craft related, and while our reputation says 'coffee drinkers' we're also pretty serious about our tea. Slow Clay has come up with the goods again, marrying all three together in a pair of unique events presented by 'globe trotting contemporary tea master' and interventionist Adam Wojcinski. Tea x Zen is an authentic, hands on experiential workshop option while Chawan Festish will allow the enthusiastic and knowledgable Wojinski to regale you with rare and fascinating insights into the ancient art of the Japanese Tea ceremony. Interested? Find out more here 

Slow Clay
May 24 and Friday June 12

IMPORTANT EVENTS
Clay for Nepal

Vipoo Srivalasa and Lynda Draper

This brilliant fundraising idea has been conceived and orchestrated Vipoo Srivalasa with assistance from Vicki Grima and Adriana Christiansen. All money generated will go to Oxfam Australia's Earthquake relief appeal.  This is an incredibly important event for the huge group of makers who have donated their works, but more importantly for the people of Nepal who's lives have been devastated by this tragic event.

vessel by wingnut and co

There is a strong connection between ceramicists the world over and in particular there are a number of local potters who have spent time working with their Nepalese counterparts. The list of participating artists is long and includes the creme of contemporary ceramics. Having both an Auction and buy now online shop, has allowed them to showcase works at all price points, so there is really no reason not to get on board.

The auction kicks off May 15 and closes on May 17. The works are amazing and the cause incredibly important so please support them in any way you can. See a complete selection and find out more about it here . Tell your friends, tell your family and let's make this a cracking success.

There's loads more to see make and do this month - listen up to Ramona talking all about it with Kulja and Dylan on the RRR's this morning at around 10am.  Happy Crafting people! Beck.

BOOK OF THE WEEK - FORGOTTEN CRAFTS

ye olde excellence

We here at HML have had some very intense discussions this past year about crafts. the loss of skill, things that are on trend (macrame! polymer! weaving!) and crafts that seem to have fallen by the wayside somewhat. So much so that it is hard to find current practioners of not only excellence but also forward thinking contemporary craft practice. We know of course that this goes beyond having a great website or a profile on the Design Files but if we can't find them, then who can?

I was thrilled to find this book, the very Anglocentric 'The Book of Forgotten Crafts' which focusses on skill specific crafts that seem to have become so specialised and arcane there are fewer practioners than ever. The titles alone should pique your interest enough. They put each of these crafts in an historical context and then give an extensive interview with a current practioner. The overarching theme is skill and tradition. I'd love to see more of an emphasise on preservation and skill sharing.

As damning as we can all be about 'hipster' culture we have many things to be grateful for. This new generation of interest in artisanal living has meant there has been a resurgence in some long forgotten crafts. Last year saw traditional sign writing making a big comeback. Handmade shoes were everywhere at the design markets along with handhewn furniture. 

As a domestic crafter what interested me about the profiles in the book is how their craft is a lifelong process of learning and refining. They were pretty singular in their passions. I can't imagine the dedication it takes to be a lobster pot maker or cricket bat maker or even a gunsmith. There may not be a big call for broomsquires these days but there should be (I am now obsessed with learning how to make my own broom).

The book also includes illustrations taken from The Complete Book of Country Crafts published in the 1970's - not that long ago really, but so very long ago in many ways. The Book of Forgotten Crafts, though published in 2011 is a throwback book that not everyone will like. I love it and it's a great reminder to not always get lost in the visual splendour of the internet. Some days it's important to sit quietly with a good book, or a loom, or a pair of needles and learn how to make something slowly and well. RAMONA

BOOKS OF THE WEEK

pot calling the kettle black

As regular readers know we here at HML have quite the collection of craft books. I spend many hours a week pouring over them both new and old.  I was researching sewing and embroidery this week and saw that most of the new books had very similar projects in them. The ubiquitous pot holder featured in nearly every book!

Of course the potholder is perfect size to learn new techniques and get a project done quickly. they also make great presents (with a wooden spoon or a some cooks soap perhaps?) and I was surprised by the variety to be found in this humble little square.

I've also started to wonder what sort of books really proficient crafters are interested in. Everything seems to be aimed at the beginner, the time poor. I know of some domestic crafters that are way beyond the skill levels in these sweet tomes.

It also occurred to me that that I never use pot holders. I have many of them but always go for the tea towel instead. And let me tell you for every pot holder pattern there are three tea towel ones. Let's face it it - so many of these books are full of squares of various sizes. pot holder, tea towel, tote, cushion cover, quilt, curtain. Maybe the pot holders are not such a bad place to start. RAMONA

PARTY OF THE DAY

Pie in the sky

We can't recommend illustrating genius and Jacky Winter stablemate Ben Sanders' new book I've an Uncle Ivan enough. Both Mixmaster Maxwell and Superwomble Thom think its the proverbial bees knees... and yes we're pretty much reading it every night before bed at least once!

In the best tradition of children's books it's brilliantly and hilariously illustrated (think beatnik circus and you're on your way)and reveals more layers and characters with each reading. There's even inbuilt paper craft at the back of it! Seriously, if we hadn't already booked ourselves into the fun and frivolity of Finders Keepers today we'd be heading down to Lamington Drive for sure to get ourselves some of the fairy bread fun on offer at the launch. If you can't make it (like us) to the party today you can still win yourself a free copy from the lovely people at LMNOP and Thames & Hudson here. Believe us it's worth it! BECK

I've an Uncle Ivan Book Launch & kids Party

Lamington Drive

15-25 Keele Street

Collingwood, Melbourne.

TODAY April 6

1-3pm.

get more details here 

PROJECT OF THE LAST FEW WEEKS

dream a little dream

Mixmastermax has been suffering from a particularly nasty bout of bad dreams of shape changing monsters and giant cake eating ants (make of that what you will Dr. Lacan) and had heard about 'dream catchers' from one of his kinder buddies. And he desperately wanted one. Once I got over the initial hilarity at the thought of cynical me having to whip up a 'dream catcher'  I silently blessed once again, the loveliest of handmaking mavens Beci Orpin and her brilliant FIND AND KEEP book, knowing that there would be instructions for something that we could both live with inside. 

I dutifully handed the book over to Maxwell to see if he could find what he was after and a couple of minutes later he spotted this beauty (amongst around 20 or so other projects he now wants us to attack) and demanded that we get to work... and seriously, as if I'm EVER going to get between boy and his craft.

After determining that the lace was cool but a spider web would be waaaay cooler, we raided the feather, thread and bead boxes and finally got to work. Max delighted in telling me what should go where, what colours worked well together and what kind of finishing flourishes would be required... then got me to do the ALL the work. Yup. As it turns out he wanted a high quality end result and was happy to employ others more skilled than he to ensure his vision was accurately realised. (um Industrial Designer in the making anyone?)

After taking my usual cursory glance at the instructions - I'm annoyingly similar to the irritating Masterchef contestants who can't follow a recipe - off we went. We got this half of it done in the couple of hours while his brother was asleep and then left it on the kitchen table for another week while we dealt with our usual day to day madness. 

Finally we managed to snatch a couple more hours alone after kinder to finish it and Max proudly hung it next to his bed. He's super happy that we managed to include his favourite home made glow in the dark bead... but ultimately is not so convinced it's catching his dreams. Nevermind... he's still pretty chuffed and makes a point of showing off what 'he' made (you see a pattern emerging here) every time someone visits - including bewildered irish backpackers doing dodgy door to door sales. Next stop, confetti wall and pom pom headdress. BECK

BOOK OF THE WEEK

minx meet

When the Kelly Doust book The Crafty Minx came out last year I must admit I kind of got my nose outa joint. Who was this woman with pretensions for being the queen of craft? I'd never even heard of her and yet here she was with this lusciously styled book and her name on the cover. So I chose to ignore it, just giving it a cursory glance in the bookstore.  But then kindle was having a special on the ebook version and I thought, well why not just down load it for 10 bucks and see what it's like? Much to my irritation loved it. So I snapped up The Crafty Kid this week at the library and checked it out, again lovely. annoying. I may be buying this one.

the book version on the left, mine on the right.

 Turns out this Kelly Doust is actually a lovely person with a great 'make do and mend' attitude that comes through in her warm writing style. I'm not sure why the plastic bag holder above was in the crafty kid book (Kelly suggested letting small ones crumple up the bags and put them in - turns out Thom LOVED this idea so there you go, small things amuse small boys).

my dodgy one on the left and the good book one on the right

 There are lots of nice simple projects that aren't really up to gift giving status but a certainly sweet enough for your own abode. My oilcloth lunch bag is decidedly dodgy and may end up as a catch all for my washi tape collection instead of a personal picnic bag as intended. So if you see the Crafty Minx or the Crafty Kid books out there, don't dismiss them out of hand like silly old me. They aren't for the highly skilled, it's purely simple and domestic. Have a peek, she seems nice, not royal, but nice. RAMONA

CRAFT BOOK CHALLENGE OF THE WEEK

Something borrowed something new

Firstly Zakka Style. I'm a big fan of Zakka Sewing so when I saw this in my Kindle recommendations I quickly grabbed it. Now I have to tell you that reading a craft book on an ipad is not easy and not fun. But it is a lot cheaper than ordering the hardcopy. So cheap in fact I have used it as a 'try before you buy service'. I'm definitely going to buy this one in its real (not just virtual) format. As for Simple Sewing, well Beck I know I promised to return it to you...and I will sooooooon

Zakka Style: I'm working on my first big patchwork project and its a little overwhelming so I wanted to make a couple of little things for myself to roadtest potential Christmas presents and to just have a bit of practice at quilting and piecing. I found the instructions for he little lined pencil holder incredibly difficult to follow.  I kept reading them out loud to make sure it would come together alright. I love love love this project and I'm thinking how nice giving one of these away would be with a nice pencil or two and a little notebook.

Simple Sewing: I was pretty happy with the way the potholder turned out. I increased the size a little because small potholders I find are completely useless for taking big hot trays out of the oven. I did both of these projects in about 40 minutes which was an ideal evening craft time. I've been buying remnants of beautiful fabric to plump up the stash, perfect for these little projects.  RAMONA

CRAFT BOOK CHALLENGE

best laid plans

OK so Ramona only got one of her four proposed projects done in January. And she got it done beautifully. I am in awe. As for my own efforts... well let's just say my intentions were a lot better than the actual outcome and perhaps leave it at that. Except I can't because having proposed the idea of the monthly Craft Book Challenge I really should be bringing more to the party but there you have it. I promise to do better this month. And no that's not what I made in January above, its's the brilliant op-shop find that initially inspired my January selection of gingham cross stitch craft. After I searching through my collection of embroidery books and found The Colour Book of EMBROIDERY by Jane Simpson...

Which contained the instructions to create this fabulous little number (the apron not the chair, although I like the chair too) Which I then thought I might whip up for Maxwell to do his Friday baking in. And before you ask yes pink is his favourite colour and yes he does like to wear an apron and yes we usually bake something on a Friday. We like a routine.

However as previously mentioned life intervened. Leaving me with these little cross stitch coasters as my humble offering to the craft book gods -  and a little handmade gesture to add to my brother's breakfast set birthday gift package.

I guess I should be happy I actually got anything made given the circumstances, and I will admit that now that I'm sitting here looking at them they are making me smile. Going through the process has reminded me how much I enjoyed making stuff, and how quick it is to do this kind of embellishment. So maybe I can file this away in the "to be continued" pile, and get him a matching tablecloth or runner finished in time for Christmas. BECK

Craft Book Challenge

January Laziness

Where does the time go? I only got one of the four projects done for January! I was flummoxed by the difficulty of finding a round cushion insert and that froze me like a deer in the headlights. I did get these coat hanger coats done and I absolutely love them. They were very fast and look gorgeous in the cupboard. How did you all go with your craft book projects? RAMONA

CRAFT BOOK CHALLENGE

another day another project

Ramona and I are big collectors of craft books - we love em. Between us we own a couple of hundred spanning a good seventy years of publishing. But we have discovered over the years that while we like collecting them, and flicking through them for "inspiration" we rarely get around to actually making any of the projects contained therein. And we think we might not be alone in this. Given that we've dubbed 2012 as the year of up-skilling we have come up with yet another hair-brained scheme (see jam sessions) to get us using our libraries for more than a housework diversion! 

We've decided to call it the CRAFT BOOK CHALLENGE.

The rules: 

1. pick a a book from your library at the start of each month (you can only use this book once)

2. identify your chosen project from said selection and publish the pattern/instructions (copyright permitting)

3. get crafting, you have one month to complete your project.
4. post your completed craft work along with review at the end of the month.
5. repeat.

We're going to have a red hot go at this one, and no doubt the results will vary between wildly successful and hilariously dire. If anyone else out there feels like having a crack at this, either each month or on a more random basis let us know! 

To be frank I got bugger all made last year as I was knocked up and nauseous for the first half of the year and then off my head with exhaustion and a baby for the second half of the year, so I will be happy to just get anything made. I have a few projects in mind though - macrame hangers (on top of the to do list for the past five years) single bed quilts for the boys and the big brother little brother mice above, and then of course there's my wish to make the ultimate linen smock dress for me to team with my jeans and sandals because it's going to be all about Scando style comfort this me year.

I'd also like to revisit some forgotten skills like cuttlefish silver casting, pinch pot ceramics and wood carving but given the workload I'm already facing this year don't be surprised if we end up with origami and spray painted pasta collage... BECK

My focus last year was very much on wood and paper. 2012 will see me determined to dust off the sewing machine, whip out the knitting needles and sort out the embroidery thread. It's back to textile based craft in my house for a while. I'm hankering for hanks, fat quarters, mitered corners and bias binding. The bottom book in that pile is a relatively new one for me and I bought it on a whim because I liked the styling. The images below are the four projects in the book I'd realty like to tackle.

I've been meaning to make a round pillow for Thom for ages but I still haven't been able to find an insert. The plastic bag holder is an absolute must as we have a stack of them shoved under the sink. The wire coat hanger covers are pure practicality. I share a tiny wardrobe with my beloved and it's in total disarray. one of the biggest problems is that we have wide hangers that take up far too much space. I'm not normally a fan of wire hangers but  I think with added padding and pretty fabric (colour coded perhaps?) . The peg bag is also a must because at the moment I have them in an ice cream container, very tacky. RAMONA


WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO MAKE?