This was published 4 years ago
Making love: artisanal gift guide
By Frances Mocnik
When creative minds collaborate, the result is twice as nice.
Creative minds: Unique artisanal gift ideas. Credit: Frances Mocnik
1. Inspired by sprawling Roman banquets and ancient Italian Murano glass vessels, these 100 per cent beeswax candles are a collaboration between legendary live event creative director (think Sydney launch party for Baz Luhrmann’s Moulin Rouge) Tony Assness and lifestyle designer Alex and Trahanas. From $169, available November 2 or by preorder, alexandtrahanas.com
2. Located in Maningrida, Arnhem Land, and internationally known for their hand-printed textiles, artists from the Bábbarra Women’s Centre team up with Melbourne’s Kip & Co to create distinctly Australian homewares. This design by Helen Lanyinwanga depicts her mother’s traditional stone country near Yikarrakkal. “Ngarduk Kunred” tea towel. $24, kipandco.com.au
3. F!NK and Co, maker of the Fink water jug, has a history of collaborating with, mentoring and supporting fellow artists, designers and craftspeople. In homage to its founder, the late Robert Foster, 15 artists have reimagined this iconic piece (pictured) with resulting artworks on show and sale at craftact.org.au. Original Fink water jug, $350, makedesignedobjects.com
4. Melbourne leather crafters, Wootten, teamed up with Denver & Liely – makers of award-winning high-performance whiskey glasses – to create this hand-moulded, kangaroo leather-wrapped “Whiskey Glass Explore Set” for life on the go. $150, wootten.com.au
5. The “Studio Workshop Beginner’s Punch Needle Kit” is Australian made and includes merino wool and quality components, $125, thestudioworkshops.com
6a + 6b. For Australian artist David Bromley, “being busy is the best way to quiet an overactive mind”. Here he shares his talents with the Victorian third-generation family business, ceramics studio Robert Gordon, and the Whisky Art Project – a limited edition of 157 bottles by Tasmanian Shene Estate distillery and Rare Cask Society. “Butterflies” pitcher, $75, robertgordonaustralia.com; “The Whisky Art Project #3”, $395, rarecasksociety.com
7. The “Zero Waste Tote (2nd Edition)” is made from fabric offcuts from Citizen Wolf’s custom T-shirt company and lined with disused City of Sydney event banners, saving them from landfill. Purchase assembled ($39), or as a DIY kit ($19), citizenwolf.com
8. Charleston Farmhouse, the UK meeting place of the Bloomsbury set (the group of English writers, intellectuals and artists), provides inspiration for Annie Sloan’s collaborative range of proprietary Chalk Paint for furniture. Annie Sloan “Charleston Gift Sets”, $75, ownlittleworld.com.au
9. The “Tutti Fruiti Pom Maker” has reusable wooden pom-pom tool and wool, $55, thestudioworkshops.com
Credit: Frances Mocnik
10. “Aussie All Stars Kits” are entry-level designs with free online videos for those new to the craft of cross-stitching. $40, sprucecraftco.com
11. Wattle & Loop handmade slow-stitching kits are designed to encourage a state of relaxed, creative mindfulness. They contain vintage and repurposed fabrics – chosen for their aged appearance, including holes, tears and marks – which add to the beauty of the finished piece and make each kit unique. “Magnolia Slow Stitching Kit”, $90, wattleandloop.com
12. “Flamingo Man” insulated bottle by Mulga the Artist for Maxwell Williams, $25, maxwellandwilliams.com.au
13a and 13b. Believing that art and creativity are integral to the human experience, Crockd wants its “DIY pottery kits” to help you focus on experiencing the process of making – regardless of the results. Each kit contains clay, tools, instructions and a set of Clay Breakers – questions designed to spark intriguing conversations with your fellow crafters while you mould masterpieces. From $80; craft mat, $20, crockd.com
14. “Jugaig-Bana-Wabu” mug by Melanie Hava for Maxwell Williams, $10, maxwellandwilliams.com.au
15. Use pencils, crayons or felt-tip pens and follow the dots to reveal your own version of Monet’s impressionist masterpieces. “Colour by Dots Monet Activity Set”, $17, qbd.com.au
16. The “Melbourne Tram Kit”, original design by Elise Ross, includes enough embroidery thread to account for beginners’ cross-stitch mistakes. $30, sprucecraftco.com
17. Suitable for all skill levels, this crochet heart can be used as a trivet for your teapot or decoration. “Chunky Heart Crochet Kit”, $81, homelealass.com
18. Make your own signet, stacking or statement rings – or even a wedding band. This kit contains all the materials and tools to carve a ring from wax, which is then professionally cast in sterling silver (included in price). $145, magpiette.com.au
19. Keen for a creative career? Learn to write an artist statement, CV, grant or exhibition proposal in a personal online consultation with Anne Masters – artist, mentor and director-founder of GOST (Gallery of Small Things). Suitable for emerging and established creatives. $120 for 2 hours, galleryofsmallthings.com
To read more from Good Weekend magazine, visit our page at The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and Brisbane Times.