IN THE NAME OF CRAFT

FEATURE

“The artist is not a special kind of person; rather, each person is a special kind of artist.” – Anon

Creativity cannot be exhausted. It is something that needs to be unleashed, explored, and expressed. Here are three stories on creatives keeping the art of crafts alive in the 03. From ceramics to communities of crafters to local events – nothing compares to something made with hands and the heart.

DREAMING OF A CRAFTY CHRISTMAS

WORDS Kim Newth PHOTOS Centuri Chan

Apopular seasonal highlight on the Canterbury calendar is the Christmas Encraftment Market, coming up this month at Pioneer Stadium. A celebration of all things handmade, this festive craft bonanza featuring over 120 stalls is an ideal opportunity to stock up on crafted Christmas gift items for your loved ones.

Local makers and creators have been presenting their inspiring work at the Encraftment Market since it began in 2011 as a vehicle to help support the city’s craft movement after the February 2011 earthquake. The twice-yearly market – the other one is held in winter – is eagerly anticipated by the craft community and public alike. North Canterbury silversmith Lee Arthur, who makes contemporary silver jewellery, has been a stallholder at the market from the beginning and joined the market’s management team three years ago.

What she loves about this unique market is that all the wares showcased are made with love by hand.

“To me, a handcrafted product is just so much more meaningful than something that has been mass-produced,” says Lee, a mother of three who juggles her silversmithing business (Pretty Birds Jewellery) around family commitments.

“When you support one of our stallholders, you’re supporting a whole family – more often than not, the makers are mums or people building their own small businesses. We’re a good community of people who are supportive of each other, and the products we’re making keep getting better and better every year.”

People heading along to this month’s market can expect a high-quality handcrafted line-up ranging from jewellery and art, homewares, kitchen spices and other artisan food items, toys, clothes for kids and adults, natural health and beauty products, candles, outdoor items, and more. “We are a curated market, and what that means is that we’re always very careful in the kind of products we have. We only choose the best of the handmade products available – the standard we are seeing has really gone up over time.”

Last year’s Christmas Encraftment Market was cancelled due to Covid, but fortunately, the organisers were able to run a winter market again this year. A silver lining of Covid lockdowns and periods of isolation has been a renaissance in craft activity, with more people than ever getting crafty and making things at home. Their endeavours are now flowing through to the market.

“We’ve had a heap of new people wanting to be involved, and it’s amazing to see what they’ve been producing as they’ve rediscovered their ability to do crafts or have acquired new skills. It’s really good to see people using their creativity. Having these new people making stuff who haven’t been around before is great for us because we like to keep it fresh and not have the same things every year. The feedback we had from our winter market was overwhelmingly positive. In spite of the pandemic, we’re stronger than ever.”

New crafters share their proposed stall setup when they apply for a space. Organisers provide help and advice if required, so every stall will be impeccably presented.

Christmas Encraftment Market is at Pioneer Stadium on 19 and 20 November from 10am to 4pm. Entry is free. Hot food and refreshments are available over the weekend.

encraftmentmarket.com

CREATING COMMUNITY THROUGH CRAFT

WORDS and PHOTOS Joshua Brosnahan

Craft Without Borders is a free monthly community craft class connecting migrants and former refugees with the wider Ōtautahi community through creating, run by three talented wāhine.

Founded by Amber Johnson and currently run alongside crafters Andrea Looise and Darion Oram, these women volunteer their time to their crafting cause and have nurtured a network of like-minded people who attend their monthly sessions.

The trio are busy people – Amber also volunteers at Christchurch Bull Breed Rescue and works in I.T. Darion works in insurance, and Andrea is a nurse and mother. Amber affectionately sings her friends’ praises. She mentions Andrea hasn’t met a “craft she cannot do” and that Darion is a “hardcore weaver” with one loom so large it takes up her garage.

Hosted in Sydenham at the Latvian Community Hall, the Craft Without Borders team offers crafting sessions where all equipment and the sessions themselves are provided free of charge. Latvian House generously provides their space free of charge, which in turn keeps the crafting sessions free. Although the sessions are free, a koha is much appreciated and goes towards the upkeep of Latvian House.

“There aren’t really many crafts out there we haven’t offered! We often run sewing classes, cardboard loom weaving, beginners crochet, and embroidery. But we have also had sessions in kokedama (moss ball planters), basket weaving with tī kōuka leaves, painting, and even life drawing.”

“The idea is that, while craft is a mindful practice, it is also a great way to bond with strangers. It’s a chance to sit and create together. We work on something and help each other out. Being part of Craft Without Borders means you get the joy of meeting new people, as well as going home with a skill learned and something you have created yourself.”

Amber mentions that language has never really been a barrier within the community they’ve fostered.

“You don’t need to speak the same language to craft together. It’s about breaking down barriers between people and giving the wider community a chance to get to know someone who they normally would not connect with.”

The sessions are mutually rewarding, according to Amber.

“It’s great to see people who have never attempted a craft before and are just so proud of themselves afterwards,” she says.

“When we ran our beginners’ crochet class, a participant came back the following month to show us all the toys and beautiful things she had crocheted. Because of her session at Craft Without Borders, she became hooked on crochet! People love coming back because this is their happy place. It’s time they have just for themselves, where they get to meet new people and make something.”

Amber says the team would love other crafters to donate their time to teach skills at a session.

With two more sessions booked in until the end of 2022, embroidery and candle making, Amber looks to the future of the community the three have been instrumental in creating and encourages Avenues readers to join in.

“It really fills our hearts to run these sessions. We have fun, and we have the pleasure of helping people learn more skills and make new friends. It really is magic for the soul!”

To learn more about Craft Without Borders or to volunteer your time, talent, or resources, reach out to the team. They’d love to craft with you.

@cwb_chch | fb.com/CraftWithoutBorders