Crochet,knitting, felting and spinning are becoming a lost art. Homespun seeks to reintroduce these crafts to a new generation through informal and formal workshops and social events from may to September this year.
We are hoping to construct over 2000 flowers to be used in a large scale art exhibition during the ravensthorpe wildflower show from 7-17 September
Here we are launching the project at the handmade or homegrown markets.
Come along to our first few events:
Fri 17 may 7pm Dunnart studio gallery come and learn to crochet with leoni de haas from one more stitch
Sun 19 may 10-11 morning tea at the Toun Beach Cafe
A basket of wool and needles will be placed at ravensthorpe and Hopetoun crcs and the Toun beach cafe so that anyone can get involved
Also every Thursday 3.30 pm at Ravensthorpe Community Resource Centre come along for a coffee and crochet session.
The project also raises awareness of the decline in the local wool industry with the wool day no longer featuring in the ravensthorpe calendar. All wool used must be up cycled or pre-owned to reflect the make do and mend values of yesteryear or if newly purchased it must be 'Australian made' wool which supports our home grown industry.
The overall project and planned exhibition comments on the cycle of our local economy - from farming, to mining and tourism. Subversively our flowers are 'not made in china', 'do not require water, batteries or ongoing care and maintenance' and will reflect the resilience and sustainability of our community despite experiencing mine closures. The final community art exhibition will also be a visual metaphor for the town's ability to be fruitful and creative despite dry conditions, much like the wildflowers that we are famous for. During the festival we are hoping that visitors to the region will take a flower with them as a means of thanks for contributing to our local economy.
