One of my other favourite new crafts I've learned is box making. The first time I made a sewing box (one of the more complicated patterns one can choose -especially as a first project), it took me 8 hours. I said to freinds "I need a life, I just spent a whole day making a box). But now as I develop in the art, I'm actually proud that I can spend that much time on something I enjoy. You see as I lead a very hectic lifestyle most of my life, any time spent doing something I enjoy makes me feel guilty. A psychologist would have very strong suggestions to make about that last comment. I'm learning to appreciate that I have the right to some time to myself, without having to prioritise everybody else's needs and desires as being more important than mine. I must admit I'm still learning that, and haven't achieved it any where as fully as most people in life.
No-one gets one of these boxes unless they truly appreciate the effort that goes into making one from a straight piece of cardboard and either material or paper.
I have bought papers all around the world, from Japan's authentic textured (yummy) washi paper right through to bizarre, wonderful and colourful textrued collage papers with leaves and piece of natural bark in Chatuchak Market in Bangkok Thailand.
First paper covered box. Paper made in Indonesia, bought as wrapping paper, gorgeous traditional Balinese designs on it, unfortuntely they don't come up well in the photo.
Japanese washi paper boxes made in Singapore 2006
One of my favourite crafts some 12 years ago was paper making, and for Christmas George bought me a paper making kit to replace my lost one. That Christmas not a skerick of Christmas wrapping or card was thrown out. It made beautiful flecked paper. Unfortunately in all the moves, the paper making kit went missing (hint hint George - P.S. I also would like a huge professional silk screening frame as that was a craft I really enjoyed teaching children and Mya's about the right age now to make stencils and silk screen her own t-shirts.
Other crafts I used to enjoy were spinning (both by hand and wheel), weaving and I was never good at pottery but taught it to the kids anyway. The kids I refer to are the children who were abandoned or abused, or in care of the Government for legal reasons at Allambie Reception Centre. Every day I would run activity classes for them - mainly in art and craft, but sometimes in creative dance and even swimming for disabled children.
Other crafts I used to enjoy were spinning (both by hand and wheel), weaving and I was never good at pottery but taught it to the kids anyway. The kids I refer to are the children who were abandoned or abused, or in care of the Government for legal reasons at Allambie Reception Centre. Every day I would run activity classes for them - mainly in art and craft, but sometimes in creative dance and even swimming for disabled children.
From that job I received a lecturing position with the Department of Community Services teaching students doing the Diploma of Child Care the skills needed to make institutional life more palatable for these poor souls. In my first lecture I learned that at the age of 19 I was teaching a student aged 54!!!! We published a book and really enjoyed ourselves throughout the year. I bet playing hands on with craft was more interesting that Psychology and other dry subjects such as Juvenile Justice. Anyway the best part of that job, was that like the actual Activities offic
er Job, where I was learning on the job. I didn't even do art as a subject at school, and until Dubai (some 20 years later), my greatest gift to the art world was stick figure drawing. A friend of mine Emma knew I wanted to learn to paint so she brought all her painting gear to my house, even with paint covered floor cloth that covered the gigantic lounge room and there we sat for hours. At first I couldn't even bring myself to pick up the paint brush, because I was convinced every painter since before time would turn in his/her grave. But eventually I picked it up, and just painted for hours in acrylic. My first water colour was in Oman.
er Job, where I was learning on the job. I didn't even do art as a subject at school, and until Dubai (some 20 years later), my greatest gift to the art world was stick figure drawing. A friend of mine Emma knew I wanted to learn to paint so she brought all her painting gear to my house, even with paint covered floor cloth that covered the gigantic lounge room and there we sat for hours. At first I couldn't even bring myself to pick up the paint brush, because I was convinced every painter since before time would turn in his/her grave. But eventually I picked it up, and just painted for hours in acrylic. My first water colour was in Oman. My second was of Mt Zermatt a truly beautiful place in Switzerland. I have no photo of that one, but when I saw it I literally ran through the town till I found an artist supply shop and bought everything I needed right there and then. I sat the whole day just sketching, drawing and painting it from every conceivable angle. A quantum leap from "Stick figure Sally" for the last 45 years. It may not be art, but it was a significant jump in confidence if not artistic result.
Also as a teenager, I used to do the (then in trend) pin and art work. Mum's house is adorned with it still. (though I don't know why!!)
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