What a wonderful experience to work with a group of Artisans to present the immersive experience that is Craft Lab. The audience expressed appreciation for the effort that we all made as they wandered through the beautiful space, the Mining Exchange in Ballarat. We demonstrated our skills, talked about our making processes and even invited people to have a go!!
On the last day I had more people contribute to the Dark and Light Brainstorm. The start of my creative process involves drawing and writing, so I invited the audience to enter into this process with me. I explained that when I think of Dark and Light I think of plants and this time of year its all about willow! A coppiced willow plant is losing its leaves and going dormant above ground this time of year. Below ground there is still so much going on! Many visitors also took the opportunity to make a stitch (or two) into the community basket.
The coiled basket from shoelaces is going well, but it is a finer work that I thought it would be! I have threaded copper wire through the shoelaces to give the basket strength. It will take a bit more time to get the basket to the height I am aiming for. Then I want to coil green vines (shoelaces) that twist and twine vertically down the basket as shown in the drawing.
I hope they invite me back next year…
Jodie Goldring 
What a lovely workshop full of creative participants.
The shoelace basket looks pristine, I’m starting to collect shoe laces in case you decide to do another one!
We done to all the creative people in the craft Lab and well done to you Jodie for sharing you energy and skills.