Making Place Irregular News: June 23

Firstly, a very warm welcome to our new subscribers this month.  It's lovely to have you here.

I'm writing hot (literally - so humid this morning!) on the heels of a Makers & Menders Road Trip where an intrepid gang went to explore Site Festival in Stroud.  There are events on until 24th June so still time to go.  We enjoyed exploring the work of some amazing artists and makers at a few of the Festival venues including SVA and Hawkwood College.  

Most important for me though was the sense of connection that we build every time we meet, whether on our Road Trips or at our Makers & Menders sessions.  There is such power in shared exploration; the chat in between what we are doing; the curiosity about what we are experiencing and about each other, our passions and challenges, and how getting into our hands helps to bring balance.  New ideas and possibilities always emerge from these moments which is super exciting.

I remembered the gentle hour at the end of our day spent wandering the beautiful grounds of Hawkwood.  And in the extraordinary landscape I was reminded that our making and mending can also be about protecting and connecting to the natural world around us: what materials are available to us here, how can we reuse and recycle what we don't need, how can our making practice be both sustainable and regenerative?  I'd love to continue these conversations with you all as we meet, make & share together.

So to a few bits of Making Place news.....

Makers & Menders: our next session is coming up really soon on Sunday 25th June at Stratton Village Hall.  I'll be setting up the room from 1:30 if you fancy popping along to help.  Otherwise I'll see you from 2pm - 4.30pm.  As always, the session will run on a Pay What You Like basis and booking is essential.  This primarily helps me to know how many cakes to bring ;-) but also gives you the option to share what you are interested in so I can help build connections. 

I'll bring tools, materials and project ideas that you can have a go at.  Do bring your own projects to work on too and, if you choose, to share with others who might be looking for a bit of inspiration to get them going.

New from this month I'll be setting up a Micro Gallery table.  If you have made something that you are proud of and would like to show off to the group, do bring it along to put into the Micro Gallery for the duration of the session so we can all enjoy it.

Crafty Bundles: you may have started to see New Brewery Arts advertising their brilliant Craftival Event which takes place this summer.  Makers & Menders in August will be happening in the NBA gallery as part of the event and I'm really excited to be hosting the inaugural Crafty Bundles Craft Materials Swap on the 19th August.  This idea has been keeping cool in our Project Fridge since last year, so it's brilliant to bring it out and make it happen!

So now is the time to start looking in the dark corners of your arty crafty spaces to see if you have any materials that no longer serve you.  You can donate anything you don't want or need in return for 'spending tokens' which you can use to find new-to-you things.  For lots more info about how Crafty Bundles works, and to register your interest in taking part, have a look on the website here.

Can't wait to see you soon.  

'Til then, then.
Jay xx