Story: Jo Harrison
Have you ever been to a craft show or fete and marvelled at the wonderful skills of local quilt makers? Have you always thought that it looked just too hard and you would never have enough time to devote to it? Now is the time to do something about it at this Friday and Saturday’s Armidale Quota Craftarama.
Convenor of Craftarama 2012, Betty Evans, said this year’s Craftarama is the biggest yet, especially in the popular craft of quilt making.
“There is currently a very strong interest in quilting and patchworking in Armidale and district and that interest appears to be on the increase,” said Betty.
“We’re excited that the Quilters & Patchworkers of New England have agreed to do a display of their quilts on the stage at Armidale Quota’s Craftarama 2012. They will also be conducting demonstrations in patchwork and candlewicking and will be very happy for anyone to sit down and try it.
“We also have a number of stallholders who are selling all things quilting and patchwork — from materials, kits, patterns, Christmas decorations and bags, to hangings and quilts.”
Quilters & Patchworkers of New England (QPNE) President Robyn Wood is excited to be a part of this year’s Craftarama.
“We were kindly asked by the Quota girls to put a display at this year’s show and sell a few small items that we have made,” said Robyn Wood.
“It is also an opportunity to show people what we do at our patchworking group.
“Craft for me has always been part of my life; it keeps my brain active, keeps me sane, gives my fingers something to do and it’s productive and satisfying.“
People who aren’t into patchwork will still have plenty to appeal to them and there’ll be a great variety of items suitable for Christmas gifts — soaps, handbags, bead bracelets, sterling silver jewellery, opal and sapphire jewellery, silk scarves, pottery, artwork, cards, calendars, miniatures, fine embroidery, women’s clothing, porcelain dolls and accessories and much, much more.
For those who want to learn a craft, there will be workshops on cake decorating, flower arranging, learning to knit, creating a greeting card with paper tole, and hand embroidery, as well as demonstrations of various craft throughout the weekend. Please contact Anne Simpson on 6771 1625 (W) or 6772 8020 (AH) for further information and to pre-book.
Craftarama is on this weekend at the Armidale City Bowling Club in Dumaresq Street, from noon to 6pm on Friday, November 30 and 9am to 4pm on Saturday, December 1. Entry is $5, with children under 12 free. It’s at the ground floor level and there’s plenty of parking.
