Well what a rollercoaster of emotions last month was. The up: My daughters surgery went well and I had some fun time with my granddaughter. The down: On returning from Christchurch I realised I had left my keys in my car at Hamilton Airport ( I was gone a week). The up: Some lovely passer by saw my keys, locked my car and took my keys into airport staff. The up: I had a great day at Thames Creative Fibre day. The down, the up the down: my car was stolen in Te Kuiti while I was out at Creative Fibre one evening. Within 90 minutes of being reported to the police it had been located, Unfortunately the fools then let it run into the river. The up: within hours of my car getting wet I had multiple offers of loan cars for as long as required. THEN Geoff and Bruce worked on my car, got it running and dried out without costing me a fortune. So now October is over and done with I am back on track with workshops for the next few months. With a new email address: [email protected] Please book early and also let me know what you would like to do in January. A great time before life gets too busy for 2018. Sue
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Spring & SALE Time in Te Kuiti
Just about every person I talk to lately has a comment about our weather – and they are not nice comments. ‘Enough rain in Te Kuiti to keep us going until this time next year’ seems to be the feeling. But spring must be coming, the kowhai over the road is flowering, the tuis are happy and Savitri (who I share shop space with) is designing and making summer samples – lovely clothes for little girls, and more. Now is the time that all switched on knitters enjoy – sale time. For the past few weeks I have had a selection of stock on special. Mostly 4ply and DK. Now there is more Monday 12 September ‘The Great Crucci Wool Sale’ starts. 53% - 60% off some. Not all shades. Crucci Hippie Hanks 18ply $22 now $9 Crucci Natural Wonder Artisan $14.90 now $5.90 Crucci Natural Wonder Colours/Groove $16.90 now $7.90 Crucci Sloppy Joe 14ply $8.90 now $3.90 Crucci Angelina 8ply (with mohair) $8.90 now $3.90 Crucci Decadent 14ply $8.90 now $3.90 Workshops/Classes These have been ticking along, with at least 1 a week, some weeks up to 4. I am not able to offer a full list of classes heading into October as I am waiting see when I will fly to be with my daughter in Christchurch when she has surgery. Recently held Macramé and Dream Catcher classes arranged to suit customers. Coming up I do have: Knit Crochet classes – Wednesday 7.00 – 9.00 Check with Sue after end of September re dates Advent Calendar starting tonight 14 Sept but happy to keep this going for any new interest. Weave a Scarf – Continuous Strand Weaving Sat 23 September Nuno Felting – explore the possibilities Tue 26 September 6.00 Learn to Spin – one person about to start, more welcome. Do mention what you want to do, I don’t have room for large classes so very happy to create a class to suit you, then have a few others come as well. Craft & Quilt Fair This was a new experience for me, as I was invited to be an “Artist @ Work” Just weaving and talking for 3 days. – Some would say this is my calling in life. It was good fun after a nervous start. Plenty of contacts and people really interested as well as others who wanted to share their skills with me. (Tatting, weaving, knitting, crochet. String Art discussions as well) I’m looking forward to a busy couple of weeks. Sue Early last week my phone rang– not a frequent happening and they are usually marketing phone calls.
An Australian voice introduced herself as Victoria and proceeded to tell me why she was calling. After listening for a couple of minutes I had to ask her to start again (only half listening and not believing what I was hearing). Victoria was looking for people to demonstrate their craft at the Quilt & Craft shows in Hamilton and Wellington in the next couple of weeks. She had tried a few different numbers but was having trouble connecting and had come to my name on the list. Did I do anything interesting, or know anyone who may be interested? (Not the most flattering way to be selected, but sure I am interested). So now it is real, had a further phone call last night asking just what I do, so it can be put in the schedule!! Thursday 7 & Friday 8 Sept I will be at the Hamilton Quilt & Craft Show, showing off my newly designed adjustable Tri Loom. Not selling just doing what I do best – showing and talking. Stop by and say hello if you are visiting. Sue http://www.craftfair.com.au/wp/Hamilton/ticket-holding-page/ New address - 14 Sheridan St, Te Kuiti
Those that know me will be wondering why I haven't learnt by now - moving is not fun. Especially when it involves down sizing. Last weekend I started the move - oh yes, weekend plenty of time. Wednesday was the first day I spent all day in the new shop - although I did spend a couple of hours early in the day moving yet more stuff. I did the final power reading on Thursday evening. Yes I have moved shop yet again - this has entailed downsizing which means I am no longer able to display all the local art works I had for sale. Back to basics for me. This means plenty of wool - commercial spun as well as hand spun/dyed and supplies for spinning and felting as well as some other supplies for crafts, which I will be adding to. AND workshops. I have put together the following dates for WORKSHOPS, these are subject to alteration to suit YOU, so do tell me if a different day to time works better. Creative Spaces August/September 2017 Sue Sands 14 Sheridan St, Te Kuiti Ph 021 1049 707 email: [email protected] Shop Late Night Wednesdays until 7.00pm – Take time to explore the wools and patterns. Knit & natter welcome Knit/Crochet lessons Wednesdays 7.00 – 9.00 $10 plus materials - Book in as limited to 6 Workshops All workshops can be arranged for days and times to suit you. Bookings Essential Continuous Strand Weaving Introduction for beginners - 3 hours – August 1 Tuesday 9.30am & August 8 6.30pm & September 9 Saturday 9.30am Learn the basics for Square, Triangle and Rectangle All materials supplied for $40, Looms available for purchase Make a scarf – Rectangle weaving - 6 hours - August 5 Saturday 9.00am & September 2 Saturday 9.00am (Must have completed Introductory class or have an understanding of weaving) $60 includes loom hire. Wool bring 140 meters DK or 4ply or purchase instore Dream Catcher – 3 hours – August 7 Monday 9.30am & 14 August 6.30pm & 29 August 6.30pm $40 all included to make a 18cm Dream Catcher Felting for beginners – learn the basics to make a piece of felt – 2 ½ hours - August 7 Monday 6.30pm & Saturday 12 August 12.30pm & 9 September 1.00pm $35 all included to make a piece of felt – can be used as a picture, to make a cushion or small bag. Book to confirm Maximum 5 Make a bag/purse/cushion using previously felted/Art piece. – August 19 Saturday 9.30 or 1.00pm & September 11 - 6.30pm $25 Using your own felt or art piece all other materials supplied Fibre/Textile Arts – August 13 Sunday 9.30 – 4.00 (or 20th August) & September 3 (or 10 September) 9.30 – 4.00 $45 Use of Sue’s resources and tools. All fibre/fabric included. Explore different uses for fibres and textiles to create art pieces or make fabrics for use in bags, purses Macramé Learn the knots, make a simple plant hanger/Owl Key Ring/Wall Hanger Thursday nights August 10/17/24 - 6.30pm All included for $40 for Plant hanger and Wall Hanger $30 for Key ring Advent Calendar Thursdays starting September 7 for 3+ weeks 7.00pm Start early so you are all set for the 24 days of December leading into Christmas.
Sewing
Circle Weaving Make a couple of small circle weaving projects All included for $40 Tuesday 23 May I got to do what seems to come naturally, talking.
Sharing with others. I was “Guest Speaker” at the Mt Maunganui Creative Fibre Open Day Lovely Sue, who did all the organising for me invited me to stay the night before, and as all good creative fibre people do we talked and created (knitted) until we really did need to go to bed if we were to get up in time the next morning. Slept like a log (after discovering some new crafty reading, great what some people keep in guest bedrooms). Tuesday was a lovely crisp day and as a good omen the first pair of pantyhose I put on didn’t have a hole. Sue said I even looked like a guest speaker. (She was great at making me feel relaxed) What an amazing place, the Arataki Community Centre is. In no time at all there were many people buzzing around like bees around a hive and the next thing I realise is that I am on the programme for 10.15am (why did I think 1.00pm), no time for nerves to set in. I had all sorts of fancy ideas about what I may say, but as I couldn’t put any of it down on paper it then morphed into something a bit different. Yes, I did run out of words at one point, but with such nice people it didn’t really matter, they asked a couple of questions and I was on a roll again. I really did enjoy being able to look at people and get some sense of what they were thinking: One man seemed to know exactly what I was talking about when I mentioned some looms were on my “never to make again list”. Also the thoughts when I mentioned some timber split while I was making looms. The shared food for lunch and the time to chat was a good follow up from having to stand up and talk. As all good Creative Fibre people do there was a hands on sharing of some skills followed by a fun afternoon auction of “mystery bottles & tins”. Much hilarity as there was speculation about what each shape contained. Most of the guesses were incorrect – the box of “lego” turned out to contain walnuts, the fancy tin contained a tea towel. Unsure if the “bottle of tomato sauce” was such. All joined in in the fun spirit of the afternoon, and Frank the auctioneer was brilliant. What a wonderful time I had, I felt as though I was part of everything. And what a lovely gift I was given, a Tunisian Crocheted blanket by Phyllis, one of the members, (and chocolates that I munched on my drive home). I am passionate about sharing the possibilities that are around for all to try and I hope this came across. I have come to the conclusion I am not a retailer. Yes I made some sales on the day, but more importantly for me was showing how my looms work and enthusing others and hopefully they will have a go. March 2017
Creative Spaces 163 Rora St, Te Kuiti Ph 021 1049 707 email: [email protected] Knit & Natter Moved to Wednesdays from 22 March (and every Wed) 10.00 – 12.00 Free – not lessons Knit/Crochet lessons Wednesdays 7.00 – 9.00 $10 plus materials (other days/times available) Book in as limited to 8 Workshop Calendar Continuous Strand Weaving Introduction for beginners
Learn the basics for Square, Triangle and Rectangle All materials supplied for $40 Looms available for purchase Book to confirm: Max 4 Dates don’t suit? Check with Sue for other days. Make a scarf – Rectangle weaving (Must have completed Introductory class or have an understanding of weaving)
$60 includes loom hire. (Discount on purchase loom $65 instead of $70) Wool bring 140 meters DK or 4ply or purchase instore Book to confirm: Max 4 Dates don’t suit? Check with Sue for other days. Dream Catchers
$40 all included to make a 18cm Dream Catcher Book to confirm: Maximum 6 Dates don’t suit? Check with Sue for other days. Felting for beginners – learn the basics to make a piece of felt.
$35 all included to make a piece of felt – can be used as a picture, to make a cushion or small bag. Book to confirm Maximum 5 Dates don’t suit? Check with Sue for other days. Nuno Felting – Intro session
Book to confirm Maximum 5 Dates don’t suit? Check with Sue for other days. Make a bag/purse/cushion using previously felted piece. Book to confirm times – can do Days/evenings or weekends. Circle Weaving
Make a couple of small circle weaving projects All included for $40 Looms available to purchase Dates don’t suit? Check with Sue for other days. Macramé Learn the knots, make a simple wall hanger
Fibre/Textile Arts
Explore different uses for fibres and textiles to create art pieces or make fabrics for use in bags, purses etc. Sewing
Spinning Happy to set time to suit, up to 4 beginners at a time.
Crafty Weekend or during the week - May, June, July Sue is happy to put together a package to suit – From $130 for 2 days plus accommodation & meals Accommodation can also be arranged – Homestay, backpackers or motel Options include:
Children’s Craft sessions School holiday start 18 – 21 April 26-28 April Maximum of 4 at any session –
After School Craft Sessions:
$10 per child per session. Maximum of 6 at any session Visitors & Workshops - 8 March 2017
This seems to have become a very occasional blog. On this damp day in Te Kuiti I have been reminded about blogging by a visitor. Reminded how much I also enjoy following others life and stories, so feel it is time for an update from me. I am all moved and settled into my new shop space at 163 Rora St. I have the most divine scents wafting in my door all day long from The Flower Fairy next door. (Makes a change from Butter Chicken and Garlic Naan bread). I have also had two deliveries of wool – no spare shelf anywhere – and so many colours J Workshops (List of upcoming ones will be out in a few day) Workshops are ticking over slowly – there was no real interest in school holiday crafts – maybe everyone was enjoying the beach and pool too much. I will try again in April. I have had 3 Continuous Strand Scarf workshops – and I now realise for nonweavers this is a real challenge in one day. I have decided I will offer an introduction to Continuous Strand Weaving – squares, rectangles and triangles on a mini scale, giving the basic techniques then a fuller workshop for those who want to proceed. Had a fun felting evening for learning the basics, from which I will also offer a nuno felting session heading to making a scarf. Visitors The great thing about a shop on the main street of Te Kuiti, I never know who I will meet next. Once my family left after our Christmas crazy time I managed to make all my bedrooms usable by whoever stopped in and needed a bed. Firstly there was a young woman, I am thinking of Asian origin, unsure as she would only tell me she was from ‘Outer Space”. Very pleasant, told me of her travels. She stayed one night, in the middle of me getting ready to move into my new shop space. Next came Josh – to be honest I have been following Josh’s travels on Facebook and offered him a bed. Josh is an amazing young man who has faced challenges and beaten them. If you would like to see what he has achieved check out “Steps for Change NZ” on Facebook. His challenges also include raising money for 3 charities. Oddly enough I did not know Josh’s surname until just before he came to stay, turns out he is my friend’s nephew. I know many of the family, just not met Josh before. I heard last night that Josh has reached Taumarunui, after 6 days tramping through Pureora Forest – one day up those hills is ample for me. You have my respect Josh. And last night, not long before closing Sally called to see if I was open – she had been disappointed at 2 previous places. No pressure there to impress!! Wow, maybe I had a third daughter who was spirited away. Sally has belonged to Spinning & Weavers in Australia, here for 2 weeks holiday. She spins, weaves and sews (even done theatre costumes). She had been lurking on the internet working out how to do continuous strand weaving – looked over my shoulder and knew exactly what the large triangle was. She cooked us dinner then came with Mum and me to the Creative Fibre group meeting. By 10.00pm she had to tell me that as she works in the Gold Mining industry she usually head for bed at dark so please could she go to bed. People are just so darn interesting! Well, that is quite long enough for now, maybe that is a lesson, more often but less at a time. Sue A New Year ahead, roll on 2017
I don’t make New Year resolutions; in the past when I have tried I usually forget what it was I had planned. Life is for living now, not remembering extra rules. 2017 is bringing changes for Creative Spaces. A change of base and a change to what I offer. I am moving along Rora St to 167, next to Flower Fairy. I am heading back to my basic focus of sharing my passion for creating. More workshops are planned and an increase in the supplies I have. Including a wider range of Woolmart wool and yarn for knitting, crochet and craft work. I will no longer have so much local work for sale; instead I will co-ordinate “pop up” shops during the year. I will also hold a register of local artists and crafts people so I can share info with anyone who enquires. SO what’s coming up? Mon 16 January – open at new shop Knit/Crochet/Share Tue 17 January (and every Tue) 10.00 – 12.00 Free – not lessons Knit/Crochet lessons Wednesdays starting 18 January 7.00 – 9.00 $10 plus materials (other times available) Children’s Craft sessions start Wed 18 January $10 per child per session. Maximum of 6 at any session Wed 18 January 10.00 – 11.30 Fri 20 January 10.00 – 11.30 Wed 25 January 10.00 – 11.30 Fri 27 January 10.00 – 11.30 Options depending on age and interest: Weaving, Felt making, Basic Sewing, Fabric paints, Please register your interest so activities can be confirmed. Continuous Strand Weaving – Make a scarf Mon 23 January 9.00 – 3.30 I am sorting dates for the following workshops, a list will be available soon. In the meantime if you would like me to include something or a date suits you best let me know. After School Craft Sessions: Dream Catchers Felting for beginners – learn the basics to make a piece of felt. Turn that piece of felt into a bag Sewing the basics and advanced Macrame Craft Weekends – Spinning or weaving, fibre & yarn dyeing, a bit of bush walking Ridged Heddle Weaving Circle Weaving Knit/ Crochet – ½ day to a full weekend Anniversaries – Celebration and reflections All shoppers until Friday 9 December go in the draw for a $50 Creative Spaces voucher. Check out my woolly birthday cake – not edible sorry. So one year on for my shop in Te Kuiti. I have met an amazing array of people, most I would like to see again. Just the odd character wandered in that I would like to shut the door on. And no. I can not pick them before they walk in the door. I do not try and predict who the best shoppers will be, I just enjoy the interaction. What an amazing selection of work there is for sale – with over 50 people contributing there is usually something for all tastes and styles. I have had to learn to look for quality over my own personal likes and dislikes. There have certainly been some highs and lows. During the peak of summer with all the tourists around was fun. Not so fun were the cold winter days when no one popped their head in the doors (except that strong, cold wind). Great excitement when the knitters who have struggled for years to learn from ‘mum’ managed to complete their first ever project. The workshops where “non crafty” people have discovered that they really can do “it”. I wish you all well in the upcoming “silly season” and do hope that many of you will stop in to see me before the end of the year. Upcoming Events for Te Kuiti businesses
All year long people have been saying to me “Ooh have your seen this craft or that craft on Pinterest?” Up until this week I have stayed away from Pinterest, plenty of ideas from other places. Well I have signed up and after one session the brain was exploding with possibilities. I spent a bit of time this week trying out different Christmas decoration ideas so I can share them in a fun evening/day of crafts and nibbles. Well, guess what, some of those ideas aren’t as easy as they look. Hot glue and glitter and not a lot to show, except maybe green spider webs – could use for Halloween I suppose. J So I’m offering some tested decorations and a promise that at the end of the session everyone will go home with 5 usable decorations, complete with templates and instructions for the ones you like so you can keep creating at home. Save buying all the extra bits and pieces and then deciding you don’t want to make it after all. With a maximum of 8-10 and nibbles to keep you going, all the glitter mess can be kept at my place, book soon. $30 per person Monday 7 November 7 – 9.30pm Contact me via Facebook or email if a better time/day would suit and I will see what I can fit in. |
AuthorSue, mother, grandmother, daughter and friend. Living my dream of my own business, promoting local art and craft. Sharing my crafts with anyone who is interested. Inspiring some to "give it a try". Archives
June 2023
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