Postage Stamps For Unusual Lamp

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30275, 30 October 1963, Page 2

Postage Stamps For Unusual Lamp

Used postage stamps of no particular rarity or interest are thrown out as a matter of course by most persons; but one Christchurch woman saved up hers, and put them to a prize-winning use. She gummed hundreds over an attractively-shaped bottle and shade, and made a lamp that was completely different.

It won her a first prize in the lamp section of a handicraft exhibition and display held yesterday by the Christchurch Area Federation of Townswomen’s Guilds.

Instruction was combined with the exhibition, and during the day demonstrations were given on various crafts Conveners and leaders of arts and crafts circles from all 21 guilds in the city attended, and will in turn teach their respective circles the new crafts and techniques they were rftown.

Demonstrators included Mrs L. D. Tait, and helpers (wrougth iron and plasticcame coffee table); Mrs C.

Niche,ll (tray-maltfing); Mrs K. Stednmetae (gingham cushions and binca work); Mirs A. Buchanan (paper camaftions); Mrs N. Beer (fabric hats); and Mir J. L. Keep (plastic finished “take-a-pliate” tray).

Traditional skills were well represented in the exhibition, as well as newer ones calling for the use of plastic thread and strips, and wrought iron.

There were a number of large, hand-made wool rugs in a vairierty of designs and colours, and many attractive patchwork articles, ranging from quilts to cushion covers. Good entries had also been received for the knitted garment and soft toy sections. One of the most original of the toys was a "Red Indian” made of a sugar bag and coloured wool.

Almost anything from shells and scraps of felt to kcwpie dolls and a ping-pong bail! had gone into the making of the array of ingenious novelties shown.

The ping-pong ball formed the head of one engaging little “kiitchenmaid” who, dressed in a dishcloth and with a gay. plastic pot-mit halt, was actually an everyday plastic bottle of household detergent. Mrs W. L. Wilde (Christchurch area handicraft convener) presented sprays to the women demonstrators at

the conclusion of the exhibition and prizes to the competition winners. AH those who had sent in work for the display, and had attended the exhibition, were thanked by the area presidenit (Mrs A. Thomson). Competition winners were: —Wool mat, Mrs G. Kennedy (Addington guild); patchwork article, Mrs M. Mitchell (Shirley), bottle base for lamp, Mrs H. Sturge (Somerfield); soft toy not knitted, Mirs R. Chapman (Papanui); four-ply knitted cardigan, Mirs A. Hutchinson (Sprey-don-Hoon Hay); novelty, Mrs G. Fea ver (New Brighton).