The word craft itself has many definitions, 8 in fact. Let’s look at a few.
Craft an activity involving skill in making things by hand.
Craft food or drink made in a traditional or non-mechanized way by an individual or a small company (artisan chocolates & craft beer!).
These definitions are well known by all ages but as the landscape of the 21st century changes, does the definition of craft?
At one point “craft” was kept for the Artisans and hobbyists who had an intense commitment to their craft. As the world has changed around this community, it seems unnatural in today’s digital age but as new platforms materialise and things like engineering meets baking take off we are now thrust in to a land of opportunity.
Traditional craftsmanship in any chosen field is still a highly regarded and appreciated art form but the floor is now open to create and expand on the definition of modern craftsmanship and invent new conceptual methodology.
As well as old school tools we now have digital tools like 3D printers, scanners and laser cutters. Originally these where only available on a commercial level but are becoming smaller, cheaper, user-friendly and accessible to everyone. Each on their own merit are brilliant ways to create but combined together are evolving the possibilities of “Craft”.
“Shared access to digital fabrication tools such as laser cutters and 3D printers will create a new breed of digital artisan manufacturers” – Sylvia Lowe
At Liverpool MakeFest we will be showcasing both traditional and modern forms of craft from the maker community.
Our Crafters:
ALL THAT GLITTERS – RUBY SPARROW
A showcase of all of my sparkling handmade crystal creations, from jewellery to journals and wearable art. I also have videos of me making and working with silver and I’ll be demonstrating macrame.
@rubysparrow
http://www.rubysparrowdesign.com
CREATIVE STITCH & TOY HACKER
Creative stitch is a collection of mixed media pieces of work using both hand and machine stitch, fabrics and various other materials. Many of the pieces have been created as entries for the Yorkshire and Humberside Embroiderers’ Guild Challenges. There will be some of the favourites – such as ‘Underground’, ‘Anchors Aweigh’ and ‘ Dry Stone Walls’, as well as new pieces of work. Visitors can try out various hand stitches which they may wish to develop further once they are home.
Toy Hacker brings interactive hacked-and-ornate toys. The automatons include models built with Meccano, Lego and Knex as well as lolly sticks and skewers to show a range of building mediums. “I hope that these models will help and inspire the younger generation to see old toys with new eyes, to be inquisitive as to how they work and to give them the inspiration to modify and repair rather than just throw away old or broken toys.”
http://halifaxeg.blogspot.co.uk
ELECTRIC FLAPJACK GUITARS
“I have taken to making electric guitars, and I thought I’d share how easy it is to get started and build one without much experience (I’d not done woodwork for 25 years when I started the hobby!)”.
@EFGuitars
http://instagram.com/electricflapjack
FURNITURE FROM THE WOOD
Furniture designed and made by students from recycled materials at Studio@Deyes.
GIRL ON PURL ACTION
Decorating cakes and donuts from yarn!
@GOnPurlAction
http://www.girlonpurlaction.co.uk
MAKING BOOK ART AND NORTH WEST BOOK ARTISTS
Liverpool Book Art and North West Book Artists group showcase their work, showing examples and demonstrations.
@LpoolBookArt
http://www.liverpoolbookart.com
http://nwbookartists.blogspot.co.uk/
MELT-3D PRINTING ++
We use 3D printing as a starting point – not an end point – to our many maker activities. Visitors will be able to help cast model bridges in plaster of Paris using 3D printed formwork. You’ll be extruding pasta using custom printed dies. And you’ll use 3DP patterns and moulds for making things in silicone, plaster, Polymorph mouldable plastic, chocolate and pasta.
http://melt-3d.co.uk
LIGHTEN UP!
We make lampshades! See demonstrations and buy a lampshade to take home.
@keelelisa0104
http://www.etsy.com/shop/LightenUpGB
https://www.facebook.com/Lightenupgb/
DEE WOOD JEWELLERY
Titanium, copper and sterling silver jewellery, incorporating semi-precious stones, handmade using traditional jewellers’ skills.
https://www.facebook.com/DeeWoodJewellery/
POP MODELS
“I make animal models using Plaster of Paris and moulds. I sell these hand made products. Children and indeed adults can use water colour to paint them. It looks great after adding a final coat of clear nail vanish.”
PLAYTIME AT THE FABLAB
FabLab Liverpool, John Moores University:
Play around with the technology available at the FabLab, around the theme of Health and Wellbeing.
Activities include:
“Engrave what makes you happy” to create personalized stamps and contribute to a collaborative art peice.
“Print your happy face” where we’ll 3D scan and print attendees smiling faces.
V-Art where attendees will be able to create art on the HTC Vive VR headset.
@ljmufablab
RETROROSIEB
Featuring a free ‘Make and Take’ activity as well as demonstrations of papercraft workshops, scrapbooking, Project Life, Memory Keeping, Art Journaling, Home Decor and gifts.
STAINED CLASS
A series of decorative and functional stained glass items.
THE LIVERPOOL LEAGUE OF GENTLEMEN (AND EXTRAORDINARY LADIES)
Crafting Steampunk and Retro-future wonders from everyday items introducing the splendid world of steampunk to the world, encouraging and engaging and daring the public to be splendid!
http://www.facebook.com/groups/llogael/
THIS MATERIAL CULTURE
We’re a Liverpool jewellery company and we make all sorts of quirky unique pieces of jewellery. We want to showcase all the different ways we make jewellery at Makefest, and bring along some of our equipment/tools which people don’t get to see. We’ll be bringing some of our sketchbooks, so people can see the design process/inspiration and have a look through.
We use a range of techniques, and not all of them go into the finished products, like bead weaving on a loom which is too time consuming for commercial pieces but is an ancient technique and really cool to see.
We use a range of materials, from plastic toys to antique jewellery to buttons to clay, and charms. We want to inspire people to make!
@thismaterial
http://www.thismaterialculture.com
WESTERN SPIRAL ART
My name is Esther. I am a maker of sci-fi and fantasy-inspired works of art, including pen and ink drawings, painted glass and mixed media accessories such as magic wands.
At Makefest I will be running a workshop where you can paint your own magic wands! I have mixed media wands that I’ve made, base coated and ready to paint using dry brush techniques, glitter, gems, varnish and bling. Magic!
@EndellionWyllow
https://www.facebook.com/WesternSpiralArt/
TOSCA – HANGING ON YOUR EVERY WORD
Tosca generates and writes poetry.
@tosca_poet
CULTURE MATTERS WORKSHOP:
CRAFTY EXPLORERS – PLANT MAKING
Participants will act as explorers, discovering new and exotic plant life through creative making.Using 2d and 3d collaging, they will create imaginative plants and flowers that have never before been discovered. Using 2d and 3d collaging, they will create imaginative plants and flowers that have never before been discovered.These could be from the depths of a jungle, the coral reef of a sea bed, the caves of an ancient mountainside, or the untrodden surfaces of planets deep in outer space.
The activity will be run on drop-in basis with two different spaces set-up for participants:
Sculpture Area – This space will allow individuals/pairs to work with a diverse range of materials to create 3d plants and flowers. These can then be decorated with a range of materials, patterns and designs.
Collaborative Collage Area – Long sheets of paper will be laid out for participants to add to to create a collaborative collage, placing and sticking cut out or ripped pieces of coloured paper. The collage will act as a graffiti wall which will build up during the day.
A range of materials will be provided, as well as visual and textural inspiration.
@nicolehudson1
http://www.thepicta.com/user/nicolehudson_art/1690764157
As you can see there is going to be so much to see and do this weekend, you will be stumped as to where to begin.
Come down to Liverpool MakeFest this Saturday 24th June at Liverpool Central Library, a great day for everyone at any age and learn a new craft and take part in the process.
Free admission. 9am – 5pm. You can get your free tickets here: https://lpoolmakefest.org/tickets/ or alternatively just show up!
Only 2 more days to go! See you soon.