The following story was written by Megan Price. The story featured in Yarnologie issue 05 – Spring 2019. Megan writes columns for Yarnologie. She is an artist and illustrator. Yarnologie is a quarterly digital magazine own by Sarah Price who is also the editor of this amazing magazine. The magazine is an Australian made and owned magazine for knitters, weavers, people who crochet and yarn lovers as such. Yarnologie is now going to print. How awesome is that! www.yarnologie.com.au Yarnologie issue 05 – Spring 2019 Ulla’s friend, Maria, calls her ‘Ulla the Doula” (A Doula is a birth companion who helps and supports women giving birth) citing that Ulla is a Doula because she gives birth to creative entities. The connective rhythm between Ulla’s work as a textile artist, … [Read more...] about Making as a Way of Life
Craft
The Alchemist – a Natural Dyer’s Journal
The art of dyeing goes back to the Neolithic period. I often wonder how people developed different skills and methods. Some might happen by accident but then on the other hand there are no accidents. It was meant to be. I was introduced to natural dyes in 1978 while attending a 5 month live in course in sustainability in particular with reference to wind and solar energy, utilising bio gas, growing organic gardens and following a vegetarian diet. First I learned to spin which was as fascinating as any alchemy in the world transforming a fibre like wool into a thread that could then be knitted, woven, stitched, platted or crochet. I was spellbound and my imagination got on a rollercoaster creating masterpieces in my mind and I could hardly wait to get my hands on … [Read more...] about The Alchemist – a Natural Dyer’s Journal
Olga Brolga
Welcome to Olga Brolga. Ever since I created my Crocodile Wrap I thought I would like to fashion something similar but very different. Don’t ask where I went to school but this is exactly what I wanted to do. Same, same but different! So I looked high and low and in between garbage bins but impossible for me to put my hands on another beautiful jumper to cut up and then put together at random and on impulse. I never give up and for years I have been looking at every op-shop possible including market places to locate the right jumper for the right job. Before I keep rattling on I just want to know if you are familiar with my Crocodile Wrap! If not please have a look at “My Crocodile Wrap” but don’t get lost in my beautiful web page. Please return to this story as it is breaking world … [Read more...] about Olga Brolga
The Inside Out Jacket
My friend Lindy gave me a classic grey jacket it was probably a part of a suit trouser gone missing. She found it in an op-shop and was going to give it to one of her daughters Liana to use for an outfit come fascinator and other accessories. She paid $ 2 for the jacket. That was the bargain of the day I dare say! I graciously received the jacket not knowing what to do with it my first thought was to pass it on to someone else as grey is not my colour. You want to know why? Grey is a colour squashed in between black and white. I can’t wear any of those colours. Black drains me of energy; white makes me feel pale and slack! Grey makes me depressed. Now that we are at it I can’t even wear denim very likely as my mother use to say:”Blue suits any fool”. Grey represents conformity, … [Read more...] about The Inside Out Jacket
My Meeting with Clover Charlotte
At the market in Mareeba shopping for vegetables my eyes caught sight of the most beautiful cloth doll sitting in front of tiny quilted blankets at one of the stalls. I was immediately attracted to her and I could not help zoom in on her. She drew me close. Wow what an amazing creation I thought. Her face was just adorable not to mention her impressive hair style. I wish I could have one like that. Her dress was as gorgeous and her quilts to die for. The bright colour made me feel cheerful and in front of her was a pink crochet round piece like a doily with a green felted ball on it. Then a young tall and just as beautiful woman said to me that Megan made her and that she was the Princess on the Pea. The penny dropped. Of cause it is the Princess on the Pea! I know her from my child hood. … [Read more...] about My Meeting with Clover Charlotte
My Crocodile Wrap
Last time we went to Alice Springs was in winter time to take part in the Alice Springs Beanie Festival. Knowing it was going to be a cold experience I knew I needed some woollen clothing and definitely a beanie and some leg warmers. I intended to knit the leg warmers out of my hand spun wool and alpaca but as we all know time flies like blow flies. So departure date arrived and I still had no beanie or leg warmers. We left sunny warm Mareeba not caring much about the cold desert far away. We did not travel far and I was reminded about the frosty nights in Alice when I ogled at the weather forecast on the internet and saw that Alice was sitting on 0 degrees at day break. I knew that I had to get my act together. No good coming to Alice Springs blue legs and frost damaged knees and … [Read more...] about My Crocodile Wrap