Friday 21 August 2009

Go Forth And Craft


I had another great afternoon at Stitches and Craft. This time with both the Doctor and Tiny in tow, so I didn't take any pictures, wrangling two smalls was enough for this lady. I also met my sister and niece and we went forth and conquered. An ice-cream at the end was the clincher for the smalls (though Tiny couldn't give a toss about icy treats, she just wants to walk everywhere).

We spent quite a bit of time in the Incubator section. Full to the brim with talent on the verge, it's a hive of activity and a veritable Aladdin's Cave with absolutely something to suit everyone. I could have spent longer there but the smalls had me on a strict clock.

But for what it's worth, I think it's important to support shows such as Living Creatively's Stitches and Craft. Where else do you get to find such a wealth of stores in one space, get some tips, and also support Australia's burgeoning crafty crew?

I've worked in the fashion industry, and I can see parallels even if it was years ago, it's still just as current. I worked with young designers to help launch them onto the international market - a couple of names that you'd recognise in high-end magazines. I did it because I believed in them. Because I wanted them to succeed.

But because the young designers were just starting out, it was the big guys who allowed them to share some of the limelight. It's an important cycle, and one that, without patrons, without vision, would fizzle and flop. It was always exciting to see the young designers mix it up with the doyennes of fashion. How else would the greats of the fashion world such as Yves Saint Laurent, Phoebe Philo and Donna Karan ever get a crack into the industry?

And if you think fashion isn't an important industry, then just think about the world-wide industry it creates (from designers, to seamstresses, to cleaners, to magazines, to textile designers, the publicists - the list can go on and on) - and includes people from all walks of life. Then apply that to crafting, and think about all the local (and by local I mean Australian traders) who are no doubt aching because sourcing from overseas has suddenly become de rigueur and so much more accessible. They're suffering. They're closing down. And in my eyes if we don't support local, we won't be able to stay local and that's a pretty sad place to be.
So while some of the stalls weren't up my alley, they might be exactly what someone else is looking for. If everyone was the same, well, there wouldn't be any need for a Stitches and Craft, would there?


After all, life would be pretty naff to the max without arty, crafty stuff. Support your fellow crafters!

Image via

14 comments:

Jodie said...

Exactly !!!!

Are you going again tomorrow ???

Josephine Tale Peddler said...

Hello Sweets,
I'm sorry I didn't thank you sooner but many mercis for the vapour rub balm I won on your recent giveaway. My daughter has some rubbed under her bunny nose tonight and loves it. Enjoy your weekend. xx

Brooke said...

Abso-fricken-lutely.

Glad to hear you enjoyed it. Hope you had a chance to drop by my stall, and hope it was up your alley! ;)

Nikki said...

Yo sista! You said it!!

Did you drp by MY stall...? If you go again make sure you say hello...

LBA said...

I like that quote from "The Devil Wears Prada" when whatserface giggles at the choosing btn 2x seemingly v. similar belts, and Meryl Streep turns on her and gives her a lesson in the origins of her ugly K-Mart sweater. Similar spiel.

And yes, I read the book too, but I saw the movie much more recently, so :p

Ink and Spindle said...

So true, so well written, such great humour! It got busy this arvo, and I was sorry to have missed having a natter! & your littlies are so adorable!
Maybe next time xx
ps thanks for the kudos ;)

Cass said...

Very well said. I must have missed you, I was on the Mixtape stand.

Kirsty said...

Yes...support, support, support.

xx

teddybearswednesday said...

Yes!! Wonderful post and so lovely of you to write it all.

Cathy {tinniegirl} said...

Here! Here! So well said.

Cathy said...

I think you have been reading my mind! Well said! Wished I could have met you in person - maybe next time.
Cathy - Audrey and Maude.

lisa :: the red thread said...

Thanks for such a great post about the show, you are so spot on. I think we had a chat at the there (I recognise your face), but I didn't know at the time you were PMM.

Michelle said...

Amen!

And Amen again!!

Corrie said...

well said! I love craft shows! I can't believe someone bagged it out...honestly its like bagging out every single person represented there!!!

If I didn't live on the opposite side of the world to parramatta I would have been there every day!!! I loved it and can't wait till next year!

yay for supporting everyone there!
Corrie:)