Crafty Me

The love of making things can lead to a career in making things. That career in making things can, at times, kill off, or at least dampen, a love of making things.

This does happen to me, and it is probably true that I don't often feel like making much more than jewellery. But perhaps I felt a little rested after the holidays and thus had a sudden enthusiasm for being crafty. So last night I made the jewellery displays (pictured above) from frames I had picked up from Ikea and some plastic mesh from Reverse Garbage.

Now my vintage collection is all organised and pretty. I don't know when I'll feel like making something again, that isn't jewellery (OK I did make something jewellery related!),but it was nice, and was a reminder about the pure joy, and lovely sense of achievement, you get from making something with your own hands. Sometimes, because making has become my business, I forget this.

Paula Leal Egaña

Paula from Chile sent me an email regarding joining my mailing list and thoughtfully attached some images of her own work. I was very glad she did because I found her pieces to be intriguing and beautiful. I asked her more about them. Here is what she said:

I'm an architect that loves this wonderful handicraft made in Chile.
This technique it´s has been developing for 200 years in 300 kms to
the south of Santiago, in a place called Rari. The artisans "recycle"
the horse hair, dying it and the weaving them. Normally their designs
are figurative, but mine are quite abstract.

I started 2 years ago, and I'm trying to commercialize them, but I
never get the time to develop a line. At the moment I'm working on a
catalog that refers to this technique, and to my designs. Recently 2 of
my pieces obtained a Unesco Prize for Excellence in handicrafts, which I'm really proud of, so I think it´s a good start. I'm also working in projects related to recycling and focused in handicrafts and design. I´m very interested in the work you develop, because I find it BEAUTIFUL, and accessible to make, but also because the jewelry you develop is something that anyone would love to have and wear, and is MADE OF PLASTIC!! Congratulations.

Have you ever planned to come to Chile? I know its not a common place to go (or end), but you never know...(I wish!)