I would like to acknowledge the Dja Dja Wurrung, who are the Traditional Owners of the land where I work and live. I pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging. I particularly want to acknowledge Dja Dja Wurrung weavers and pay my respects to their efforts to pass on traditional knowledge to the … More Acknowledgement of Traditional Owners
This summer the plant fibre collection was extended this year due to hot and dry weather in the Central Highlands of Victoria. I collected some extra long red hot poker leaves, watered daily by the irrigation system of a potato crop. Confirming that even though red hot poker is a hardy drought tolerant plant, its … More Summer plant fibre collection
Last Saturday it was a full house at the Centre for Rare Trades in Ballarat with 3 well attended workshops running concurrently. Eli Beke ran greenwood spoon carving – https://www.raretradescentre.com.au/profiles/eli-beke/ Alison Cole ran an embroidery class – https://www.raretradescentre.com.au/profiles/alison-cole/ I ran a melon basketry workshop for 8 people whose process of making can be viewed below. … More Melon Basketry at the Centre for Rare Trades
My first workshop of the year was held at Newstead Arts Hub yesterday, Sunday January 21. Great to see so many people keen to learn how to use natural materials such as red hot poker, day lily and Siberian iris to weave decorative boats. The technique used was ribbed construction, weavers were woven above and … More Weaving Decorative Boats at NAH
It is becoming an annual event to visit Newstead in Spring to support a group make random weave baskets. This year I had a simple display that showed a small number of baskets, focusing on random weaving and techniques I aim to teach in 2024. I am hoping to facilitate Woven Boats in January and … More Random Weaving at NAH
Friday Sep 29 was the last day to make and then exhibit the Double Baskets. Participants came in to finish lashing and stitching natural fibre onto the chicken wire frameworks. The soft inner baskets were then inserted into the outer baskets to finish. Some had time to work on other baskets started during the week. … More Day 5 – Finish and exhibition of Double Baskets
Yesterday (Wednesday) was a half day of classes, when participants of my workshop continued their coiled baskets from fabric and arum lily. I had the afternoon off, so I visited a few of the other workshops. I took photos during the great reveal of the first eco dyed felt pieces created in Nicola Brown’s workshop. … More Day 3 & 4 – Making a Double Basket
Today was a relaxing day when things flowed as in a dream. The fabric and threads were unpacked from the steamer. After soaking in a diluted bicarbonate solution to neutralise acid and stop the rusting process, they were washed with mild soapy water and hung up to dry. I then demonstrated an alternate coiling technique … More Day 2 – Making a Double Basket
An action packed day in the studio at the Tafta Geelong Fibre Forum. We collaged wooden discs, waxed and painted string and started coiled baskets. We loaded an old steamer with threads and fabric wrapped around rusty things and steamed them with a vinegar solution to aid rusting. There were some fabulous Artist Talks by … More Day 1 – Making a Double Basket
I arrived at Geelong Grammar yesterday to settle in and prepare for teaching my first masterclass!! Get ready for a barrage of posts this week showing the process of making double baskets. There are about 10 tutors here (National and International) and about 130 eager participants ready to embark on all things fibre and textile … More Calm before chaos!
I may have been heard saying “It doesn’t get much better than this” as I was standing in the morning sunshine looking out to the spring garden at the Garden of St Erth. The pink Camelia so laden with blossom that the branches were wobbling with the weight, in the whisper of breeze. The daffodils … More Melon Basketry at Garden of St Erth
Jodie Goldring 