13 August 2011
Kim Thittichai Post Festival Workshop: Extreme Surfaces for Stitch
Enjoy experimenting with many layers of texture and colour to create amazing surfaces that can be developed into sculptural forms, hats, bowls, tassee heads, beads, boxes – whatever you think would be suitable. Scale will be left up to you but on a 2 day workshop we could construct something on the large side or you could choose to work small. Layers will be key to this workshop to build strength. Whether they are thin, translucent layers or thick colourful layers that are burnt back – we will just have to wait and see.
Using heavy iron-on interfacings and the fairy like qualities of Vilene Spunbond/Lutradur you will be able to experiment and develop new ideas in a fast paced and above all enjoyable workshop. Heat guns and soldering irons will used to distress and create amazing textures on which to stitch –or not!
This is the 2 day Post Festival Workshop with Kim Thittichai
Monday 30th April and Tuesday 1st May
St Johns Rooms, Seymour St, (right in the centre) of Blenheim
Workshop fee $150 (includes refreshments) with $80 material fee paid to Kim at the workshop.
This will be the only workshop Kim holds in New Zealand.
Christine says, “We are so lucky to have Kim come and teach her ‘Extreme Surface for Stitch’ workshop here for 2 full days. The number of spaces available is limited. Registration forms are in the September issue of the Creative Fibre magazine and on the Creative Fibre website. Those registered for the Festival will be given preference.
"I know that this topic doesn't fit nicely into a box of particular interest to a spinner, or weaver or felter, but it is intended to extend your horizons, make you use materials that you haven't used before, and ‘think outside the box’. I can assure you that you will!
"If you want a sneak look into what you might be doing, go to Kim's website and see what she teaches, and the what she creates."
Joan
Using heavy iron-on interfacings and the fairy like qualities of Vilene Spunbond/Lutradur you will be able to experiment and develop new ideas in a fast paced and above all enjoyable workshop. Heat guns and soldering irons will used to distress and create amazing textures on which to stitch –or not!
This is the 2 day Post Festival Workshop with Kim Thittichai
Monday 30th April and Tuesday 1st May
St Johns Rooms, Seymour St, (right in the centre) of Blenheim
Workshop fee $150 (includes refreshments) with $80 material fee paid to Kim at the workshop.
This will be the only workshop Kim holds in New Zealand.
Christine says, “We are so lucky to have Kim come and teach her ‘Extreme Surface for Stitch’ workshop here for 2 full days. The number of spaces available is limited. Registration forms are in the September issue of the Creative Fibre magazine and on the Creative Fibre website. Those registered for the Festival will be given preference.
"I know that this topic doesn't fit nicely into a box of particular interest to a spinner, or weaver or felter, but it is intended to extend your horizons, make you use materials that you haven't used before, and ‘think outside the box’. I can assure you that you will!
"If you want a sneak look into what you might be doing, go to Kim's website and see what she teaches, and the what she creates."
Joan
* All photographs used with the permission of Kim Thittichai. *
08 August 2011
06 August 2011
Meet the Tutor - Kim Thittichai
We are most fortunate that Kim Thittichai will be with us for Festival as keynote speaker and to conduct a workshop after Festival – details will be posted soon.
Kim has given us this understated bio for the blog:
“I am a textile artist, tutor and author based in Brighton, East Sussex. I lecture and deliver workshops internationally from Alaska to Australia. My workshops tend to promote the safe use of heat tools and heat ‘distressable’ products such as Tyvek, Vilene Spunbond and Bondaweb. The exciting exploration of new textile techniques is at the heart of all my workshops.
"I have written three books, Hot Textiles, Experimental Textiles and the latest – Layered Textiles, which will be published in August 2011.”
Marlborough Guild has Kim's first 2 books in the library, and they have been very popular with the Guild members. We look forward to her third.
What a treat it will be to hear from such an inspirational artist in person.
Christine & Joan
* All photographs used with the permission of Kim Thittichai. *
“I am a textile artist, tutor and author based in Brighton, East Sussex. I lecture and deliver workshops internationally from Alaska to Australia. My workshops tend to promote the safe use of heat tools and heat ‘distressable’ products such as Tyvek, Vilene Spunbond and Bondaweb. The exciting exploration of new textile techniques is at the heart of all my workshops.
"I have written three books, Hot Textiles, Experimental Textiles and the latest – Layered Textiles, which will be published in August 2011.”
What a treat it will be to hear from such an inspirational artist in person.
Christine & Joan
* All photographs used with the permission of Kim Thittichai. *
02 August 2011
30 July 2011
Introducing our Sponsors - The George Mason Charitable Trust
In recent years members of the NZSWWS have benefited from generous donations from the Mason Charitable Trust. It has paid many of the expenses associated with bringing overseas tutors to New Zealand, ensuring that the lectures, demonstrations and workshops they hold are made available to the membership at a very reasonable cost. As well the Trust has funded the ‘Mason Charitable Trust Scholarship in Design’ which provides a member with funds to study and research a chosen aspect of her craft. Behind this Trust stands Dr George Mason.
George was born and educated in Auckland and while at university became passionately interested in the natural sciences, particularly botany and its environmental associations. The control of problems in these areas became his life’s work. This background is reflected in his wide-ranging interests from skiing, climbing and tramping to his involvement in growing flowers and exotic fruits as well as his interest in many forms of creative art and music.
George with the 2010 Plant Protection Society medal presented to him in recognition of the immense contribution he has made in a career of more than 56 years in the agrichemical business.
The Trust’s contributions to Creative Fibre Society stemmed from discussions George had with then President Anthea Davidson, regarding an award for studies into the use of a blend of possum fibre and fine wool. At this time the NZ Wool Board sponsorship was ending so the Trust agreed to fill the gap in the meantime. This was followed by support for visiting overseas tutors.
Some of the international textile art pieces in George’s collection
Textiles are a significant part of George’s private art collection and Creative Fibre National Exhibitions have been a source of several additions. George says, ‘A passionate appreciation of my home country, its world class natural features and its independent endeavours in the natural sciences and the arts and the creative ability of its people have been the guiding principles behind the funding support the Mason Trust offers New Zealanders.’
For the 2012 Festival The Mason Charitable Trust is sponsoring the visit of keynote speaker and post-festival workshop tutor Kim Thittichai from England. Watch this space for further details!
Win & Rose
George on the balcony of his home in Oakura, Taranaki.
George was born and educated in Auckland and while at university became passionately interested in the natural sciences, particularly botany and its environmental associations. The control of problems in these areas became his life’s work. This background is reflected in his wide-ranging interests from skiing, climbing and tramping to his involvement in growing flowers and exotic fruits as well as his interest in many forms of creative art and music.
The Trust’s contributions to Creative Fibre Society stemmed from discussions George had with then President Anthea Davidson, regarding an award for studies into the use of a blend of possum fibre and fine wool. At this time the NZ Wool Board sponsorship was ending so the Trust agreed to fill the gap in the meantime. This was followed by support for visiting overseas tutors.
Textiles are a significant part of George’s private art collection and Creative Fibre National Exhibitions have been a source of several additions. George says, ‘A passionate appreciation of my home country, its world class natural features and its independent endeavours in the natural sciences and the arts and the creative ability of its people have been the guiding principles behind the funding support the Mason Trust offers New Zealanders.’
For the 2012 Festival The Mason Charitable Trust is sponsoring the visit of keynote speaker and post-festival workshop tutor Kim Thittichai from England. Watch this space for further details!
Thanks George!
Win & Rose
27 July 2011
24 July 2011
Creative Learning Programme
Fibre is our passion, and irrespective of whether we enjoy felting, weaving, spinning or knitting, we all have that desire to hold some form of fibre in our hands and manipulate it our own special way to create a work of art or something wearable or useful.
With the Creative Learning programme at this Festival we have put together an exciting, inspirational programme for you to enjoy. Some things are a little different, but we are giving you the opportunity to listen to people who are doing exciting things with fibres.
We have two highly regarded overseas tutors, Kim Thittichai and Karen Selk, and a wide variety of New Zealanders who are skilled in their work. They are all people of exceptional talent and above all have a desire to share their knowledge and enthusiasm, and to impart some of the excitement they feel for what they do.
The Festival starts each day with a keynote speaker in the main Hall, a venue where everyone can listen and be inspired. Then there is a choice. We have 3 smaller venues with various topics being presented in 45 minute slots. You will have a difficult job choosing which one to go to!
For those of you who want to go that extra mile there are two 2 day post Festival workshops with our special overseas tutors that you can enrol for.
I can't wait to be a part of the buzz that is going to hit Blenheim in April 2012.
See you there.
Christine & Joan
With the Creative Learning programme at this Festival we have put together an exciting, inspirational programme for you to enjoy. Some things are a little different, but we are giving you the opportunity to listen to people who are doing exciting things with fibres.
We have two highly regarded overseas tutors, Kim Thittichai and Karen Selk, and a wide variety of New Zealanders who are skilled in their work. They are all people of exceptional talent and above all have a desire to share their knowledge and enthusiasm, and to impart some of the excitement they feel for what they do.
The Festival starts each day with a keynote speaker in the main Hall, a venue where everyone can listen and be inspired. Then there is a choice. We have 3 smaller venues with various topics being presented in 45 minute slots. You will have a difficult job choosing which one to go to!
For those of you who want to go that extra mile there are two 2 day post Festival workshops with our special overseas tutors that you can enrol for.
I can't wait to be a part of the buzz that is going to hit Blenheim in April 2012.
See you there.
Christine & Joan
18 July 2011
15 July 2011
Introducing our Sponsors - Mitre 10 Mega, Blenheim
The Creative Fibre Festival 2012 is very fortunate to have the support of Mitre 10 Mega, Blenheim.
Mitre 10 Mega is an amazing store, and here in Blenheim they are keen to support the local community. They even sponsor a bus that can be seen every day taking people around town!
If you walk around the Blenheim Mega store there are heaps of things that the avid Creative Fibre person can use... from brushes to paint your dyes onto fibre, containers to store your ‘stash’ [and we need heaps of those!], through to wire, string, plastic and wood. They also have a cafe for a coffee pick me up, and heaps of goodies to keep the men happy while you are busy creating.
We know you will have to visit the Fibre Festival’s Mitre 10 Trade Hall often when you come to Blenheim, but we hope that you also visit the Mega store in Alabama Road to check out what they have on offer.
See you in April 2012
Festival Committee
Mitre 10 Mega is an amazing store, and here in Blenheim they are keen to support the local community. They even sponsor a bus that can be seen every day taking people around town!
We know you will have to visit the Fibre Festival’s Mitre 10 Trade Hall often when you come to Blenheim, but we hope that you also visit the Mega store in Alabama Road to check out what they have on offer.
See you in April 2012
Festival Committee