If your tea pot is looking a little bare and boring this spring, then spruce it up with a colourful tea cosy. Ideas and inspirations can be found at the
Crazy Tea Cosy Exhibition (held by the
Handweavers and Spinners Guild of Victoria). The tea cosies are made from handwoven wools in the hope to raise discussion and awareness of the craft of handspinning and handweaving.
Life in a Goldfish Bowl
The Crazy Tea Cosy Exhibition will host its official opening, led by
Mayor Alison Clarke on 7 October 2011 at 10.30 am. On the day it is bring your own plate for morning tea, but it is free entry to view these woolly creations. The Guild's members' works are on display and some will be available for sale.
Green with Flowers for Mayor Brooke
Patchwork tea cosy
The Guild rooms consist of a gallery (members can sell their work here) and a craft supply area where visitors can purchase supplies for spinning, weaving, felting, and more. There is also a library attached where members can borrow books and magazines. When the exhibition space is not featuring an event, the area is used for classes and workshops.
Crowning Glory tea cosy
The photos presented include a green tea cosy with flowers and was made by events co-ordinator Marie Williams for the Mayor Clarke. The 'Crowing Glory' tea cosy will be used for the Guild's window display as an advertisement for the exhibition. The ceramic tea pot is the feature in this display and the tiny tea cosy is just the icing on the cake, so to speak.
It has not always been easy to hold exhibitions for craft events such as this exhibition. In April, the Guild had to move from a scout hall located in Shakespeare Street, Carlton North to its current location at 655 Nicholson Street. Despite being at a location with a higher rent to pay, the exhibitions continue. Moreover, a new exhibition space in the Guild's main area will soon be available and hopefully generate some extra income to assist with the lease.
The Handweavers and Spinners Guild of Victoria has quite an extensive history dating back to its first meeting held on 21 April 1954 in the Public Library Theatre in Swanston Street. The
Meat Market Craft Centre (MMCC) held many exhibitions, including the Autumn Collection in 1995. However, the MMCC closed in 1999, but plans for re-opening it to craft makers are in progress.
The Guild also supports the charity
KOGO (Knit One Give One), which supplies the homeless with handmade knitted clothing to keep warm in winter.
