Joan from 'Tied with String Studio' in Murwillumbah fills us in on what's been happening in her new shop/workshop space she recently opened in Murwillumbah. I stopped by last week to find out more about this new creative space. Go in and have a look, her shop is a hive of creative activity tucked down in the St Vinnies Arcade. Join in and sign up for a workshop while you are there!

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I am finally up and running. The little hideaway where you can buy that special gift or something just for you! A little oasis where you can come and create beautiful handmade cards and other papercraft projects during daily classes and regular special workshops. You can come solo, bring a friend or arrange a group for a few fun hours.

Our first week was a great beginning with many kind words from customers who seemed to like our little space. There were several cardmaking sessions held with happy 'crafters' leaving with smiles on their faces and with many rebooking for next week's classes.
Class projects change weekly, so feel free to come and check the in-store noticeboard display or phone the shop for details.

Lyndall will be holding regular workshops on Thursdays, so visit the Store to keep up-to-date with 'what's next'.

Current Opening Hours
9.00am to 4.00pm Mon-Fri
9.00am to 2.00pm Sat

Ph: Joan 0467 208 210
Shop 3, 132 Murwillumbah Street
Murwillumbah 2484
(Opposite the Firestation at the rear of St Vinnies Arcade)

Hey Maker! Event - Natural Dye Demonstration with Anne Leon.

 

Anne Leon will be doing a natural dye demonstration following our guest speaker Lamorna Cheeseman from Studio Naenna, Thailand. Join us at the Autumn Club in Murwillumbah, 7.00pm Thursday 11th April.

Time: 7.00 - 9.00pm
Where: The Autumn Club  
(next to Murwillumbah Library) 
 
Tickets: $18 - Bookings Essential
      BUY TICKETS ONLINE 

Anne is a print maker and textile artist living and working in Byron Bay. She has a wealth of experience and knowledge in natural plant dying. Something I love about Anne is her warmth and generosity in sharing her vast knowledge. We met a few years ago at her studio in the Byron Industrial Estate, she was so generous with her time explaining how to dye wool with onion skins and then gave me a container of mordant to take way with me. This is a woman passionate about the ancient art of plant dying and keen to share.

“After years of plant-dyeing, this still hasn’t lost its magic for me, because although you can determine some of the outcome, you can’t control it completely. The result always surprises and that’s the magic of it. We set the scene for the magic to happen and literally unfold. Leaves do different things at different times of the year, under different weather conditions and sometimes changes occur for no apparent reason at all. Each time we unwrap it feels like being given a gift, and that’s why we love doing it”

The diversity of Anne’s work, from watercolours to fabric design, reflects a rich artistic career, spanning over 30 years. Anne utilises a wide variety of techniques in her work, including screen- and block-printing, painting, dyeing, batik. She has exhibited extensively in solo and group shows, within Australia, and has work in International private collections. The quality and versatility of her work have earned her numerous large commissions, from Interior designers, Architects, Couturiers, to Corporations, domestic and international.

As plant-dyers have done through the ages, Anne begins by gathering leaves and flowers from her local environment. She then prepares silk and wool cloths using a variety of folding, wrapping, clamping and tying techniques, sometimes pieces of plant material are pressed between layers to give patterned effects. Her most recent collection combines modern technology and traditional techniques to create exquisite plant-dyed wools and silks that areavailable as fabric, or are made into beautiful garments, wraps, throws and scarves.

You can see some of Anne’s work in collaboration with potter Lucy Vanstone. The exhibition “Waders, Cluckers & Hooters” is at the Wheel of Life Gallery in Brunswick Heads, 21 fingal st, on now untill April 20th.

Natural Dyeing - Guest Speaker and Demonstration - April 11th, Murwillumbah

International Guest Speaker:

Lamorna Cheeseman from Studio Naenna,

Chiang Mai, Thailand.

I met Lamorna at her Natural Textile studio back in 2004 when I was in the early stages of establishing “Oiko - Hand Dyed Textiles.” An ongoing working relationship and friendship was formed as Lamorna took on the role of Oiko’s production manager.

That day Lamorna showed me through the beautiful gardens of Studio Naenna which is in a rural setting on the outskirts of Chiang Mai, Thailand. These gardens host a variety of plants grown for the “Dye Vat”. As we walked around the garden Lamorna passionately explained the dye process and showed me the beautiful natural hues each plant would yield.

“The indigo dye vat will continue to yield dye for as long as the master dyer is attentive and carefully listens to the pot as it speaks to her. The changes in tone and rhythm of the gentle bubbling will tell the dyer if it needs more yoghurt or indigo.”

Studio Naenna was founded by Patricia Cheesman who is a close friend of Australian textile designer Jenny Kee and a lecturer in textiles at Chiang Mai University. Patricia has published several books sharing her vast knowledge of Sth East Asian textiles.

Studio Naenna is built on 25 years of ecological sustainability and fair trade ethics.

Their “Weavers for the Environment” come together from around Thailand to exchange knowledge of natural dye techniques. The studio is a place of inspiration helping women to realise their potential as income earners and respected members of their community. Master weaver Viroy Nanthapoom has taught over 40 young weavers in the silk ikat technique thus contributing to the preservation of traditional Thai weaving.

Our guest speaker Lamorna is Patricia’s daughter. Lamorna manages Studio Naenna and works alongside Patricia in design and development. The textiles are sold in their shop “Adorn” in Chiang Mai, to boutique spa hotels throughout Thailand as well as internationally. Lamorna also hosts workshops and takes textile groups on tour throughout South East Asia.

With both parents from England and having been brought up and schooled in Thailand, Lamorna has a foot firmly planted in the two worlds. She is immersed in Thai culture and language therefore able to offer us an intimate insight into the practices of Thai textile artisans.

I am so pleased that we can share the magic of Studio Naenna with you. After the talk we are in for a treat, Anne Leon will do a natural dye demonstration. You are welcome to bring along some natural yarn to throw in the dye pot. Can’t wait, it’s going to be a juicy night of inspiring textile creativity. Both Lamorna and Anne will  have a selection of beautiful hand made textiles for sale. An opportunity to buy mum a gift for mothers day, don’t you think?

When: Thursday April 11th

Time: 7.00 - 9.00pm
Where: The Autumn Club 
(next to Murwillumbah Library) 
Tickets: $18 - Bookings Essential
  BUY TICKETS ONLINE NOW 


Natural Dye Demonstration: 

Local artist Anne Leon 

Byron Bay  
(watch this space, more info on Anne to come)

more shop snippets

hand dyed Japanese rice paper gift wrap "Heirloom Paper" by Olive and the Volcano, along with hand spun linen yarn and Japanese washi tape. The perfect wrapping options. Love Mae gift wrap also features pretty highly on the wrapping paper love.

counting down the days

The last days of Hey Maker! pop-up shop are approaching. It has been such a wonderful whirlwind of connection and creative happenings in our beautiful little shop. Have you come down to have a look yet? No, well - you'd better scurry on down. We are closing the doors on this Pop-Up on Saturday 22nd December at 2pm. 

There are so many amazing and perfect little gift items for your Christmas giving. Remember - shop local and hand crafted this Christmas (and at all times of the year). Really, who wants to go to the 'shopping malls' when we have such pretty little shops in our own home town who stock such pretty little things that are just exactly what your loved ones wanted. 

Image above is: art prints by Gretchenmist and Belinda Suzette - these are all archival prints, and an very affordable way to own your own piece of artwork. Ceramics are by Kathryn Mitchell - my little boy has his eye on that middle cup there! The ceramic pin cushions are by Hey Maker! Belinda Smith and look simply lovely on the wall or as a paperweight, or in your collection of beautiful things. Brooches pictured are by Jetta's Nest, Kimono Reincarnate and Edward & Lilly - we also have brooches by The Sentimentalist and BirchSeed. And the little hand screen printed pouches / purses are by me, Red Seed Studio. 

Image below is: fine porcelain by Pinky & Maurice. This is so beautiful to hold, come and check them out for yourself. Also, wrapped ceramic vessel by Belinda Smith. 

Bottom image is: Christmas cards, gift tags, and decorations by BirchSeed. All hand block printed and stitched in Murwillumbah. And those sweet little softie chooks - BirchSeed makes them, as well as a wonderful selection of cushions, tote bags and other little pieces.

I for one will be super sad when I have to pack everything up in a week's time. Come on down and take some loveliness home with you, before it all gets packed up!

Our opening hours between now and next Saturday are:

Saturday 15th 9.30am-2pm

Sunday 16th (closed due to a workshop)

Monday 17th 9.30am - 4pm

Tuesday 18th 9.30am - 4pm

Wednesday 19th 9.30am - 2pm (sorry, early closing due to school presentation!)

Thursday 20th 9.30am - 5pm

Friday 21st 9.30am - 5pm

Saturday 22nd 9am - 2pm. FINAL DAY

Sew & Tell : hand made, hand me down an

Coming up this weekend is an amazing market that is NOT TO BE MISSED. {and not only because there will be quite a few of us Hey Makers! there with stalls of our own, nope there's lots of other goodness to be had and shared and experienced as well.....}.

Sew & Tell started earlier this year as an idea by Gabe and Tori. Well, what a fantabulous idea it was. The first Sew & Tell was so successful that before it was even over, the next one was being organised. How good is that. Super good!

Sew & Tell Presents a Very Craft Christmas!

Saturday 8th December 9am - 1.30pm (dst)

Bangalow's beautiful A & I Hall

 

With the bearded man set to visit just a few weeks later, Sew & Tell is the place to find the perfect gift for those that have been naughty or nice! And maybe even something for yourself.

Organisers Tory Bauer and Gabe Cramb said “We are curating this edition of Sew & Tell with the festive season in mind and everything that goes along with it. Handmade and vintage gifts are unique. They are special. You feel good giving them.” 

 

The heritage A & I Hall will be jam packed with one of a kind gifts for family and friends. There will be a diverse array of crafty goods for sale including everything from handmade journals, children’s clothes and home-wares, textiles, stenciling and felting to applique, painting, jewelry, handmade cards and wrapping paper, and sew much more. 

As well as craft there will be retro wares, nic nacs, records and a few additional blokey stalls to find that special something for the fellas. AND for all those fans of vintage frocks we have something really special. Julia Stone will be selling off much of her amazing collection of vintage gear at Sew and Tell! High voltage frock n roll!

Sew & Tell Handmade and Hand-me-down will also see the return of some of the special stalls that were so popular at the first event.  Sew & Tell is not like other markets. Oh no - not at all, not one bit! It’s about connecting people and getting the public involved! Some of the thoughtful and unique stall ideas bring out the best in each of us and bring about the sharing and community aspect of any good local handcraft hand-down market stall. You really do have to see this market to experience the wonderful minds who have made it possible (and all the busy busy making, doing, thinking, planning). Some of the special stalls are:

UNFINISHED BUSINESS 

Do you have any craft projects that you are not likely to finish any time soon? Like that Jenny Kee style jumper you have been trying to finish since the 80’s? Why not put them up for adoption on our Unfinished Business table?Just bring them along to Sew & Tell. All items on the unfinished business stall are free and you don’t have to return to sender. All you have to do is promise to finish them off. We’d also love it if you could post a pic of the finished item on the Sew & Tell facebook page.

THE FREE STALL 

Bring along any items that you’d like to donate - fruit, vegetables, herbs, chillis, wool, threads, badges, crafty items etc. Anyone can donate to the free stall. You just need to bring the donated item along to Sew & Tell and put it on the stall. Anyone can take these items, but if you do we encourage you to perform a random act of kindness for someone at some stage during the day – like buy a coffee for the person behind you.  

MEND IT LIKE BECKHAM

Nobody mends things anymore! It wasn’t that long ago that people darned holes in their socks, sewed buttons back on or mended a tear in their shirt. Mending is thrifty and eco friendly and just plain sensible. Kim Bailey from East of Grey will be behind the machine on the Mend It Like Beckham stall. Kim has 15 years experience sewing and mending all manner of things. So gather up those shirts with missing buttons, pants that need hemming and other items that need fixing and bring them along to Sew & Tell. Oh and the great news is the Mend It Like Beckham stall is FREE! Yes!

THE MAN CAVE 

Yes! The Man Cave is back! This is a space for the fellas to respite from the craft and vintage worship taking place in the rest of the hall. There'll be comfy seating and magazines to read. This is the updated and super funky space - all through out history men have had to wait around for women to finish shopping and chatting and discovering the next treasure to take home. Toni and Gabe have made this space more than a "waiting for the women" chair - you might not want to leave when she's ready to....

Make sure you mark this in your diary in bright red glitter, so you don't forget. Well, how could you forget! This Saturday 9am. 

There's also lots of other lovely things to do in and around Bangalow after Sew & Tell stallholders pack up, so plan a whole day of hand crafting, hand-me-down, vintage, local time with your sister, friend, mum, best friend, boy friend, girl friend, children...... Or on your own - there'll be plenty of people to chat with.  

Make sure you say Hi! We'll be there eager to chat. xxxx

Kid Made