Wonderful Oratia Craftswomen

Making craft work in Oratia since 1978, the quality of the work is extraordinary. The Oratia Spinning and Craft Group began in a small town in the foothills of the Waitakere Ranges
and it has been going strong ever since.

 Part of the beauty of groups like this is that you can see a product develop from start to finish.   Bags of wool just off the back of a sheep are brought in and the fibre is hand-carded and spun, dyed (often with natural plant dye) and worked on a loom or with needles. 

Halfway through the morning there is tea and an old-fashioned trolley full of goodies, much of it from the previous day’s home baking.”
 
 
Images and article from New Zealand House and Garden magazine
The Oratia Craft Group meets at the Oratia Church Hall on Parker Rd between 10.00am – 12.00pm on Mondays. call Bev Latimer ph 8353237 for more info.
 The group is always growing with a membership now of almost 45.  All welcome from complete beginners to skilled artisans.  It is a place to share knowledge and friendship.
 lace-fence-1
Kerry Polite/The Design Center at Philadelphia University,
 I would love to see our fibre artists take their incredible art public.   Their work is just too good to hide and it could be wonderful placemaking and a reflection of our history. Perhaps beautify the chain link fence on the rise before the school like the above lace work from the Dutch design firm Demakersvan.
Yarn Bombers Global Artists
Or this yarn bombing.  Creator unknown.
Or this example, whimsical Dr. Seuss trees and light poles are springing up in Pioneer Square’s Occidental Park, thanks to local artist Suzanne Tidwell.