Empress Wu Designs with Wilma

 Last month, at the Contemporary Craft Retreat in Canberra, I was lucky enough to win two prizes in the raffle. One was a Tie Dye Kit - it looked very simple to use so who better to try it out than four year old grandson, William. Step 1. After reading the instructions, mix up the soda ash solution ( with supervision) and place the clothes/fabric to be dyed into the solution.   Step 2: Make sure the fabric is totally immersed in the solution and let it soak for 30 minutes. That is such a long time when you're four!  Step 3. While waiting for the fabric to soak, get ready for the dyeing  - plastic tablecloth, plastic gloves and plastic apron. Step 4: Tie  the garment with rubber bands in various places ... I would have liked a few more ties, but who would argue with the creative instrincts of a four year old?    . Step 5: Apply dye from squeeze bottles - much easier for children than any other method.  Step 6. Leave the d...

Contemporary Craft Retreat in Canberra, 2012  From far and wide artists travel to Greenhills Conference Centre For  blissful days happily chatting, creating , sharing,   Silver, copper, bronze – all learning from a fun presenter Polymer, Paverpol, faux glass and felt for wearing. Lumps of clay formed dragons, camels, swans and goats. Etched metal and flower boxes – so much activity!        While Day 1 was cold enough to wear our coats Nothing stops these artists’ creativity. Nature’s beauty makes this a perfect place   To greet and meet  our friends again But we need leaders with charm and grace.   Thank you, thank you  Lex, Denise and Jen.  

Tranquil surroundings, creative and talented participants and good organization are ingredients for a great event. The Contemporary Craft Retreat was not just a great event – it was an exciting and inspirational learning experience. Congratulations must go to Lex Sorrentino, the coordinator of the retreat, who seemed to think of everything anyone might need, right down to extra cakes of soap and lolly bags for the tutors! I was very fortunate to have had the opportunity to lead two workshops. One was  the Bio Bowl – a wet felted vessel inspired by biological beauty. The second was Message Sticks and Spirit Art Dolls with many beautiful imaginative and creative interpretations of my wrapped message stick art doll. I’m not sure anyone used  the collected wise sayings as messages,  but the dolls were inspirational on their own.     We were also privileged to see some amazing “show and tell”. This beautiful art doll by Janice Laurent was created with a bo...

I wonder if three is sufficient a number to call a series? In my Owl Sisters post, I said I was creating a series of ‘Birdstick Women”. Here are three completed in the last week – all inspired by Australian birds commonly found in the Eastern States – a grass owl, an Australian raven (crow), and a Rose Robin ( although here the nesting female is rather a plain looking bird!). And the fourth just didn’t want a bird as a companion - These art dolls are in preparation for my workshop at the Contemporary Craft Retreat in Canberra in October.  For more information about my workshops and many others led by talented artists from all over Australia, please check out the Contemporary Craft Retreat website