Gratitude

I have attended quite a few classes and workshops on my textile and fibre journey and its important to acknowledge and show my gratitude to these tutors for they have shaped the artist I am.

My spinning journey began with lessons at Virginia Farm Wool Works with Jenny Dunn.

My basketry journey began with coiling with Lisa McArthur-Edwards at The  Makers Studio pop-up shop, followed by a Random weave workshop in her studio.

Under the shade of the Casuarina trees I learnt twining and string making with Wildcraft Australia.

Glenese Keavney shared her expert knowledge of utilising Bangalow Palms in basketry at Timeless Textiles Gallery.

Basketry NSW provided the opportunity to attend a workshop given by Judy Dominic exploring sculptural twining.

Kate Rydge and Ingrid Riverstone from Bare Weaving shared their knowledge of dilly bag construction and working with pandanus. 

Again Basketry NSW provided the opportunity to attend a workshop given by Mary Hettmanspergerexploring basketry and embellishments.

In 2018 I was fortunate to attend a workshop given by Alice Spittle learning how to weave traditional Maori Baskets using Harakeke and gaining an insight into the beautiful Maori traditions surrounding weaving. 2019 saw me travelling to the Fibre Arts Festival on the Sunshine Coast. I attended a workshop given by Ron and Cathie Twaddle who shared their wealth of knowedge about traditional basketry with cane. Their years of experience and mastery with cane work was inspirational.

And my deepest gratitude goes to my great Aunt Maude for being such a huge inspiration to me. Her passion for crafts, her sustainability ideals  (born out of the war and depression era) and her dedication to nursing had a profound impact on my life. I think of her each time I spin wool on her spinning wheel or wrap myself in one of the many blankets she crocheted.