What's On: Soundshell market

Rotoma resident Dianne Sandison says making quilts and ragdolls to sell at the Rotorua Soundshell Market makes her happy.

For the past four years Mrs Sandison has been displaying and selling her quilting creations at the Rotorua Soundshell Market, which she said has been a huge success.

The 65-year-old has been sewing since she was a child and said she could not imagine her life without her hobby.

"I just love it. I love playing with different materials, textures and colours. I've spent so many years sewing and quilting. I'm terrified that I'll get sick of it some day, goodness knows what I'll do then!"

Mrs Sandison makes a variety of material crafts including quilts, cloth rabbits and Maori ragdolls complete with poi, all of which she sells at the market.

She said having a 5-year-old granddaughter inspired her to make the dolls and cloth rabbits.
"I just love seeing the smiles on children's faces when they see the creations. They really like them and it's nice to bring them joy."

Mrs Sandison said her large quilts were as popular as the toys, even in the summer time. "I'm always surprised at how well they sell. I guess they make good gifts."

She admitted while her crafts proved popular the money she made was only enough to cover all the materials she purchased for them. "I don't do it to make a profit. I just do it because I like what I do and if someone likes that too, well then that's lovely."

Making a quilt is a lot of work and can take Mrs Sandison weeks to complete. "I might be able to make one if I work on it every day for a week, but often it doesn't work out that way."

Mrs Sandison said she was enjoying retired life as it meant she was able to have more time to sew. "It's a nice feeling waking up and thinking, what am I going to sew today."

She will be selling her crafts at the three-day Soundshell Market this weekend, which has been extended for the holiday period. "It's really a nice way to spend a weekend. There's lots of other craftspeople there who all make good company."

Mrs Sandison said despite the craft being dropped from the title of market, there were still many handmade crafts available there.

"All made by very talented people who, like me, just love what they do."