Autumn crafts fair

ARTS AND CRAFTS: A handcrafted doll will be among items at Arts & Crafts Gisborne’s autumn crafts fair on Sunday. Picture supplied

Craft is a broad church, art historian Damian Skinner once told The Guide.

“There is amateur craft, craft people made in wartime such as rag rugs and chairs made from fruit boxes; stuff men do in their sheds, what we did in woodwork at school.”

At the professional end of the craft spectrum is pottery, jewellery, and glassware — and chances are there will be a bit of both at Arts & Crafts Gisborne’s autumn crafts fair on Sunday.

More than 16 members and artisans will exhibit a wide range of handmade creations that includes pottery, wearable arts, quilted, hand-dyed and knitted items, batik dresses, cardigans, pants, merino scarves, wooden wares and woodturning, writes Karen Pinn.

“There will also be some

contemporary and unique artworks — stained glass works, individually

handcut artworks, acrylic paintings, custom-order pencil portraits, handmade cards, framed

native bird photographs/prints which

are also available on cards.

“. . . A wide choice of work by jewellers who create pieces with unique beads, polymer clay, silvers and mixed metals. For green gifts you can find kawakawa balms, citronella candles, beeswax products and even some local honey.

“With Mother’s Day coming up in early May, this could be a great opportunity to start looking for special gifts.”