Extensive eraft range

Press, 13 July 1981, Page 19

Extensive eraft range

Using leisure time productively is the aim of Christchurch's newest craft shop Hands, in Normans Road Elmwood Village.

The owners, Brian and Heather Guthrie, have transformed the former jewellery factory into a spacious craft centre.

"Craft centre," Heather believes, is a more applicable description as it is their intention to go beyond just

selling the materials to the public.

“We hope to introduce craft classes and individual tuition for those who want it," Heather said. Growing up in a family that had made handicrafts into a business, Heather, soon gained the knowledge and practical expertise in craftwork.

The family business is Ashford Handicrafts, Ltd, which started as a small woodworking factory at Rakaia in 1934. It now has two businesses, one at Rakaia and the other in Ashburton, employing a combined staff of 50.

Ashfords is the parent company of Hands and although Heather does the buying for both businesses, she emphasises that Hands operates independently. The interior of the shop is designed for people to

browse around amongst tne craft books and wide range of materials.

Finished products are also on display but these are not for sale.

Hands specialises in spinning wheels and looms and for the first two weeks it will provide free assembly of these. The store stocks four models of spinning wheels comprising two traditionalstyled. a compact portable spinning wheel and one designed to produce the extra bulky yam used in weavings, hangings and rugs. There are two models of weaving looms available, a four-shaft pattern table loom and a portable loom for making inkles suitable for braids, ties, straps, also borders for homespuns, upholstery and furnishings. Local spinners and weavers will be delighted to find imported lines in silk yarns, linens and a superb line of fleeces. Yak, Alpaca, raw cotton are available, as well as raw fleeces such as Perendale and Romney. Kitsets for nursery furniture and wooden toy’s are also manufactured by the parent company and Hands stocks a full line of these goods. Among these items are a rocking horse, cot. highchair, dolls’ house, model garage and tip truck.

Other, crafts catered' for include canework, embroidery, raffia, macrame, hobkrugs, crocheting,, tapestry and materials for dried flower arrangements. A glance at the selection of craft books also gives excellent ideas for hobby projects.

Mrs Guthrie said people can extend on the hobby idea to eventually sell goods. “Unemployed people, in particular, would find craftwork ideal." ‘Mrs Guthrie said. She estimated to start in a small way, for instance, making a basket, would cost about $5.

To encourage this, the Guthries have included a workshop within the centre Charges wiil be made for craft classes but these have not been finalised. Individual tuition will also be given.

“I feel there are a lot of people, who rather than attending classes for several weeks, would like to learn the basics of a craft in one lesson," Mrs Guthrie said. Children’s craft classes will be held and the first of these will start in the August holidays.

The craft shop will also be open on Saturday mornings from 10 am. until 12.30 pm. and there are ample car parking facilities.