29 August 2022

Here's a crafty idea: show your artistic side with some perfect recycling

| Sally Hopman
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Knitted pin cushions

These pin cushions were one of the star attractions at the last arts and crafts show. Why not shop for your art and craft supplies at the upcoming Destash Market at the Yarralumla Uniting Church? Photo: Facebook.

Are you crafty, artistic, love a bargain – and reckon you could recycle for Australia? Well, have we got an opportunity for you.

It’s called “destashing”. Selling your excess arts and crafts materials to a fellow craftsperson. It’s all about perfect recycling and giving someone else the opportunity to make something fabulous from what you bought too much of in the first place.

Wool, fabrics, paper, stamps, paint, buttons, decorations – anything that a craftsperson buys when the creative spirit takes them, and usually, too much of it because you never know when you’ll need it or what you’ll need it for.

READ ALSO Design Canberra is back, celebrating transformation, connection and the joy of making

Spokeswoman for the Yarralumla Destash Market Lynne Thomson, said although the event had been held for about five years, it was affected by the COVID lockdown. So a big crowd – and even bigger collection of goods for sale – was expected for this year’s event on 10 September at the Yarralumla Uniting Church Centre.

“It’s something people really love,” she said. “Last time we had it, we had people queuing from the street going right through to the back of the church centre.

“We all do it,” she said, “When we make something, we buy the wool or the paper or whatever we need but we usually buy too much of it. So this is a great opportunity for other people to buy it – and get a bargain at the same time.”

Selection of yarn

Wools and yarns for that knitted number you’ve always wanted to make will be available at the Destash market on 10 September. Photo: Yarralumla Uniting Church Arts and Craft Show Facebook

Lynne said one of the highlights of the Destash would be a collection of paper-making supplies donated by the family of a crafter who passed away.

“The family kindly gave her collection to us to help raise money for the church, so we will set up a table just for the hundreds of items in her collection. There are lots of plastic containers full of pieces, including paper and stickers and lots more.”

People with items to sell can buy a space at the market. The money goes back to the church, as does the gold coin entry.

Such is the popularity of the event all inside stalls sold out within a week of being advertised. There are still some outside stall spaces available.

Stamps

Stamps of all varieties will be available for fans of scrapbooking and other paper crafts at the Destash market. Photo: Yarralumla Uniting Church Arts and Crafts Show Facebook.

Lynne said the day was also about community – people of a like creative mind getting together to talk about what they do and meeting up with friends.

Not only does the purchase of other people’s stash help creative souls make their works of art and craft, they also have a goal to work towards – the 2022 Yarralumla Uniting Church Arts and Craft Show from 4-6 November.

READ ALSO Canberra artist inspired to draw on the art of healing

“It’s perfect recycling,” Lynne said. “You can buy craft items at the Destash and then make something wonderful from them for this year’s arts and crafts show.

“With COVID, there seems to be a real resurgence in arts and crafts,” she said. “More people are now sewing for themselves, they’re creating craft activities for the kids at home.”

For more information about the Yarralumla Destash Market on 10 September and the 2022 Yarralumla Uniting Church Arts and Crafts Show, go to the Facebook site or email artsandcrafts@yarrauniting.org.au

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