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
I will be teaching a master class at the renowned Geelong Fibre Forum, a weeklong extravaganza at Geelong Grammar from September 24. For info go to – https://taftainc.com.au/ As a participant of my workshop you will have the opportunity to consider the concepts of inner and outer layers of self when creating a double basket. … More Masterclass at Fibre Forum
The Plant Craft Cottage has incredible charm and character as it is the oldest building at the Botanical Gardens in Melbourne! I facilitated a coiled basketry workshop on Saturday August 12 for the custodians and caretakers of the cottage, the Friends of Royal Botanical Gardens Melbourne. Participants used she-oak and pine needles for the core … More Workshop at the Plant Craft Cottage
What better way to keep the winter blues away? Yesterday a group were brimming with winter cheer at the Newstead Arts Hub while learning to coil a basket. Some used split flax and others used waxed and painted string to coil she-oak and pine needle baskets. The result were beautiful baskets with diverse texture, form … More Coiled Basketry workshop
What an incredible trip I had to Alice Springs for the Beanie Festival. Participating crafters sent 6500 beanies to the festival this year that were exhibited throughout the Araleun Arts Centre! I really enjoyed facilitating three bird weaving workshops next door at Central Craft, as I felt enfolded in a dynamic creative space. There was … More Alice Springs for the Beanie Festival
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 … More Craft Lab – It’s a wrap!
Last weekend at Craft Lab we had a large number of people visit the Mining Exchange in Ballarat. I demonstrated skills by splitting NZ flax into a fine “flax floss” and stitching it onto a chicken wire framework to finish a double basket. I also invited the audience to contribute to brainstorming the theme of … More Craft Lab – one weekend to go!
Jodie Goldring 