Open now and on for the next few weeks is Nanageddon at ROAR! gallery. Nanageddon is the end of craft as we know it and its not-for-the-fainthearted 😉
Many of the of the artists involved learnt how to craft from their nanas and using those skills they are transforming craft into art.
This isn’t tea cosies with a twist or stylish scarves (both of which we love) but a re-take on traditional craft methods, giving us another way at looking at and using craft.
Nananageddon releases craft from it’s normal, common and accepted uses drawing it into the realms of conceptually driven art.
Some of today’s edgy, and radical thinkers are part of Nanageddon and they are also sharing their skills with you at two public workshops:
– On Saturday August 29th take a family photograph along to ROAR! and transform it using some embroidery techniques.
– the following Saturday – September 5th take along some old plastic bags and you’ll learn how to transform them into jandals.
Both workshops are by gold coin donation
So get your craft on or just head along to ROAR! above Real Groovy Records in Upper Cuba Street from now until September 12th
We’ve already told you about
….. The Island Bay Craft Village!
It’s showcasing a gorgeous range of bags, jewellery, chocolate, cupcakes, clothes, photos, toys, brooches, scarfs, pottery, ceramics and more.
Head along to the Presbyterian Church at 88 The Parade in Island Bay from 10am till 4pm on Saturday 8 August to support NZ businesses and be part of the bustling atmosphere.
If you can’t make it this weekend, don’t despair – the Island Bay Craft Village happens on the second Saturday of every month!
Right now you can check out the start of the Outdoor Knit fence action on the cnr of Vivian and Bute Streets.
As lovely as 3 hearts are, that fence is still pretty ugly. Fences as a general rule are. So in an attempt to make something awesome out of something that is a big fat waste of land at the moment, Outdoor Knit are getting their craft on this Sunday, and everyone is welcome to join in.
Head yourself over to the fence on the corner of Vivian and Bute St in Wellington, and join stiX in weaving hearts of all sorts of colours into the fence, all the way along the Vivian St side of the fence.
You totally don’t need to know how to knit. And Outdoor Knit are supplying the yarn. All you need is fingers.
Check out the event planned for this Sunday over at Outdoor knit.
Traveling across the world to sold out crowds, it is Wellington’s turn to check out Handmade Nation!
Handmade Nation is screening twice at The Paramount theatre on Monday August 10th. Each screening will feature guest speakers, and a special Craft Showcase of local vendors.
Visit the Wellington Creative Website for full details.
Shortly before 1am last night fire engines headed out to Lyall Bay trying to save Maranui Surf Lifesaving club and Maranui Cafe.
At the moment it doesn’t look so good.
I will miss their milkshakes most.
Some pix…
What was your favorite thing to consume at Maranui?
If you’ve ever been walking along Lyall Bay
In the bright shining sun on a hot summer’s day
Or could a storm be brewing and blowing a gale
Your poor teeth chattering and skin turned pale
There’s now a place you can head for a cuppa
For tasty snacks and freshly cooked tucka
Old Maranui now has a cafe inside
Her bright red doors are opened up wide
Seven days a week our life savers make
A sumptuous selection of Wellington’s finest cake
There is no question we are certain to say
The Maranui Cafe makes the best coffee in the bay
And served to you by Matt and his team
Of friendly surf staff and baristas supreme
So put on your shoes or jump on your bike
And be sure to bring along someone you like
We always like to see somebody new
And don’t forget to sign the member’s book too
Update
It’s time for the Craft 2.0 Winter Warmup. Whether you want fully-formed hand-crafted gifts and homeware, or the supplies and advice to make ’em yourself, all your craft essentials are available under one roof when the most popular craft fair in town hits the Hutt at TheNewDowse on Saturday 25 July.
Join New Zealand’s homebased handmade revolution and shop local. Why? It helps the environment by reducing your carbon footprint, and it keeps your hard-earned money in the community.
After a brilliant launch in April, Fabr ic-a-brac is back!
Here’s your chance to pick up fabulous vintage, unusual and modern fabric, buttons & patterns. Fabric-a-brac promises a huge range of fabric styles – from offcuts of upholstery fabric, to style-y leather and tons of vintage
So head over to Brooklyn Community Centre this Saturday from 12 noon till 3pm. We reccomend getting there bang on noon as we know from last time the early bird does score the best fabric haul.
Fabric-a-brac also features a stall raising money for Mary Potter Hospice. Anyone can donate for the table just pop along to any of the places listed on the website.
Now parking is pretty tight so consider catching the bus and since you are up that way drop into the penthouse and catch some film festival screenings.
When: 12noon – 3pm, Saturday 18 July
Where: Brooklyn Community Centre, 18 Harrison St, Brooklyn
More info head over to the Fabric-a-brac website.
This Friday June 5 is World Environment Day, and in our fairy capital city, and in other spots around the coutry hundreds of people will “freeze” together to show united action for climate change.
The Freeze is set to kick off at 1pm for just five minutes.
Right now the location is all secret squirrel, but stay tuned
Nick Potter, Personal Assistant to Mr Freeze and lead co-ordinator of a team of volunteers, says
“If there was ever a time for you to get involved – it’s now. 2009 is a crucial year of action and in December, a new global climate treaty will be negotiated in Copenhagen. We need to come together and send the message that global agreement is essential and that bold and urgent action is needed.”
And look you can even check out last year’s freeze, on the you tube.
I’m thinking standing in the middle of the road is not the most ideal place to freeze, so as the girl guides used to say, be prepared.
People can join the Freeze and find out more at www.freezenz.wordpress.com
It’s Comedy festival time in the Capital.
Personally I think the timing is always quite impeccable as winter has just hit and with it comes the winter blues. There are loads of amazing local acts and also some brilliant internationals.
Now normally the international acts like to include a little local content to make the crowd love them more. Often it’s limited to jokes about wind, jaffas and Australians. Sammy J is clearly the exception to the rule, and to prove it he’s even been making some extremly cute videos.
[video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQG1pRpTF-c]You can catch him at Downstage from tonight.
My hot local tip is the The Comediettes. Emma, Jim and Sarah were amazing at the fringe festival with their stand up show. Sarah’s been winning a few comedy competitions lately, so you now she’s going to bring the giggles.
There’s a fabric fair/market on tomorrow in Welly called Fabric-a-brac – come along to buy or to hock your too-big stash of fabrics off to someone else.
Or just come for the coffee!
Email Josie for info about registering for a stall, or check out the blog.
Hope to see you there, it should be fun! The idea is that people take a table at the event, and sell all that cool vintage fabric, those buttons, patterns and sewing-related items that they are just never going to get around to using.
Some people get some cash, others get some great fabric at bargain prices. Hey presto!
12noon – 4pm, Saturday 18 April
Brooklyn Community Centre, 18 Harrison St, Wellington