Twenty excited children from Gargett, Eungella, Mirani and places in between attended the Crafty Hands Holiday Workshops for Valley Kids held recently at the Gargett CWA hall.
Aged from nine to 17, these local kids settled eagerly, and in some cases, nervously, into knitting, crochet, sashiko and basket weaving groups led by members of the Valley Spinners and Crafts Group.
Over the two days, the children progressed from knowing nothing, or very little, to mastering the basics of their chosen craft.
This holiday event was a great opportunity for Valley kids to make new friends and have fun.
Valley Spinners have staged many events over the years, but these children’s workshops were a first for the club.
Amongst the members, there is an incredible wealth of creativity and talent in the four workshop crafts as well spinning, loom weaving, lace-making, tatting, felting, embroidery, dyeing and others.
For many members, crafting is a lifelong love.
Ann Dittmar-McCollim, who first suggested the idea for this event said it was wonderful for the club to share skills with younger ones and to show them how much crafting means.
“It’s not just a skill or creative avenue for us, but also a wonderful way to build and sustain friendships,” she said.
Event co-ordinator, Cheryl Johns was very heartened to see kids return for the second day even more excited than they were the previous week.
“By the end of day two, everyone had items finished or well-and-truly in progress that they could proudly ‘show and tell’,” Cheryl said.
“Edges were crocheted, baskets woven and samplers knitted or stitched.
“The children’s enthusiasm, focus and behaviour were a credit to themselves, their families and teachers.”
According to the exit survey, all the children felt they had learnt a lot, many had made new friends and most were keen to pursue crafting further.
“The extremely positive feedback we received from the children, parents and other community members made the many months of planning worthwhile,” said club president Margaret Borg
“I think our members came away feeling that they had learnt one or two things from the children.
“We have already been chatting about similar events we might run in the future.”
This project was generously supported by the Regional Arts Development Fund – a partnership between the Queensland Government and the Mackay Regional Council to support local arts and culture in regional Qld.
Contributed with thanks by Cheryl Johns
