Due to the Covid cancelling of the annual Sutherland Shire Spinners & Weavers Wool Fair this year, several of their members have set up a Southern Fibre Artists pop up shop at Miranda so like minded artisans can still exhibit and sell their unique works.
The shop upstairs at 90 Karimbla Rd Miranda has a good selection of fashionable handmade creations,scarves,wraps,beanies,hats,clothing and handspun yarns for sale to the public-Friday and Saturday's 10am-4pm or by appointment.
Ringleader Karen Severn said it's really a collection of seven members work based on friendship and the opportunity to meet and share their craft.
"It's called a popup gallery but it's here for a while" Karen said
"Its been a labour of love,a lifelong hobby and really the price of the goods does not reflect all the time and effort we have put in."
There is also a space where the collective will be holding workshops over Summer so they can share their knowledge of the fibre arts.
Along with their handspun 'wall of wool' there is a great display of Botanical printing products and ecodying which is is an ancient process of natural dyeing on textiles that involves extracting the beauty of plants and imprinting them onto wearable fabrics.
Apart from woolen wares there are also summer silks ,cottons and linens,felted works and spinning and weaving supplies.
Covid may have caused this collective to form but the real time spent at home as a result of the Pandemic has also caused a huge increase in the participation in these craft inspired hobbies and social media has brought the fibre arts to the notice of younger people.
The Southern Fibre Artists have been one step ahead so if you feel inclined to help make Australia great again 'on the sheep's back'- where in the 1950's the economy rode high on wealth from our primary exports,now is your chance to weave some magic of your own.