Upsurge in cottage industries

Press, 10 November 1981, Page 32

Upsurge in cottage industries

In recent years, there has been a great upsurge in interest in what may be termed “cottage industries” or “country-crafts.” ' All around the country, in groups or as individuals, New Zealanders have turned their hands to various arts and crafts, often using as their.materials the things of the land. Resulting from the skills which have been developed are a wide range of products, often with a distinctive New Zealand theme.

“Country Crafts” has, therefore, been chosen as the theme for the 1981 Canterbury Show, and with a generous sponsorship from the Bank of New Zealand, the Canterbury A. and P. Association is proud to present the B.N.Z. Country Crafts Exhibition.

In planning the exhibition, an effort has been made to group the displays into various courts, such .as the Spinners and Weavers Court, the Potters Court and the Artists Court, but this has not been easy because some of the groups participating have members involved in a wide variety of arts and crafts. The Bank of New Zealand has had a long association with the Canterbury A. and P. Association and with the farming community generally. The bank is, therefore, pleased to have this opportunity to join members in contributing to the 119th Canterbury Show. The two principle exhibitors in the Spinners and Weavers Court are the Christchurch Weavers and Spinners Guild and the Marlborough Spinners and Woolcraft Guild.

Visitors to last year’s show will recall that the Christchurch Weavers and Spinners Guild mounted a display in the Alston Pavilion, and with the experience gained last year, they will be playing a prominent role in the 1981 exhibition. Members will be demonstrating natural dying, weaving, rug making, lace making, crochet and kiWi-craft, and there will be a “learn to spin” corner for the adventurous visitor.

An in-depth study of the different breeds of sheep and the uses to which their fleeces can be put will form part of the display. Twice daily, there will be a fashion parade showing selected high-quality garments which have all been hand-spun or woven by members of the guild. From an area extending from the Marlborough Sounds and Pelorus Valley, through to Lake Rotoiti, the

Awatere and East Coast area to Kaikoura, the Canterbury A. and P. Association is pleased to welcome the Marlborough Spinners and Woolcraft Guild.

Although outside the province, this area has always given strong support to the Canterbury Show and it is pleasing to see the Marlborough Guild participating in the 1981 exhibition.

Hand in hand with the interest in spinning and weaving has come the use of natural wools. The result has been that whereas a few years ago they would have been hidden from view in the back paddock, the “black sheep” of many flocks now graze conspiciously along the road side. Indeed, a Black and Coloured Sheepbreeders Association has been formed with branches around the country.

This association offers assistance and advice for breeders of black and coloured sheep, and also organises sales.

The North Canterbury branch will be participating in the Spinners and Weavers Court.

“Spinning helps the world go round” is the motto of Ashford Handicrafts, Ltd, of Ashburton, and no display of spinning and weaving would be complete without the participation of the manufacturers of spinning wheels. The Ashford spinning wheel's history is interesting:

“In 1934, Walter B. Ashford started a small woodworking factory at Rakaia, New Zealand. These were the depression years, and in order to meet the demand for low priced goods, he produced utility furniture and toys in ready-to-assemble packs. The concept grew and .flourished.

However,' with the. outbreak of World War II in 1939, materials and labour became scarce. Everything, it seemed, was geared towards the war effort. Woollen mills were producing materials for the armed forces, and the women of the country were frustrated by the lack of domestic knitting yarns. It was the right time and place for the re-birth of the spinning wheel. In 1940, Ashfords produced their first spinning wheel, a relatively easy task — the difficulty was to make a spinning wheel which could be packed flat and sent by post.

During the experimental stages, the late Rev. D. B. Ashford developed a quickchange flyer, which not only brought the work area closer to the spinner, but also did away with the need for removing the driving belt when changing bobbins. This was a marvellous new convenience and is now used on many makes of contemporary wheels.

When the war ended so, largely, did the interest in spinning — but not completely. The value and quality of handsptins could not be ignored. After a “honeymoon” with nylons and synthetics, handspinning returned to favour.

In 1963, spinning wheels started whirring again and, since then, spinning has grown in popularity. Today, the Ashford family business is conducted at Ashburton and Rakaia, with a staff of 50. The firm continues to make kit-set nursery furniture, wood toys, weaving looms and handcraft accessories.

Because of the innovative and progressive methods of manufacturing, Ashfords have produced more than 150,000 spinning wheels and are a well-known name in more than 40 countries.

Located in the Spinners and Weavers Court is the display of the Canterbury Patchwork and Quilters Guild, which was formed by Edna Butcher and Betty Glanville in 1979.

They felt that there was a need to stimulate and draw together people interested in maintaining a high standard of workmanship in this form of art.

Contrary to today’s trend, the work of this guild is mainly traditionally handstitched patchwork and shows many of the old American patterns.

Earlier this year, the guild held an exhibition in the

C.S.A. Gallery and this was so successful that it encouraged the members to lease room and open the group to the public. Also in the Spinners and Weavers Court, a bedroom display will be set up to depict the work of Janet Ensor from “Ngapara Downs," Rangiora. All the articles are made in her own home, and although some have been sold in Christchurch shops, they are made primarily for her own enjoyment and relaxation. Her two-year-old son’s response to the things she has made, and her own reaction against the generally expensive and unimaginative children’s equipment which is available commercially have inspired her to experiment further. The next section could probably be termed a “Various Crafts Court,” the central area being taken up by a group of displays by the Women’s Division of Federated Farmers of New Zealand (Inc.). Founded in 1925, the W.D.F.F. has as its main aim the bettering of conditions for women and children living in rural areas. Members are vitally interested in various aspects of education and legislation affecting rural communities. As well as being concerned with retaining rural health services, the federation supports national research projects involved with problems such as leptospirosis and cot deaths.

It is also involved in an emergency housekeeping scheme. Friendship and adult education are a feature of the W.D.F.F. along with recreational aspects. The Canterbury, MidCanterbury, South Canterbury, North Canterbury and Hurunui provinces of W.D.F.F. will each be responsible for a bay displaying the creative talents of their members, not forgetting home products especially the culinary arts. To cater for the needs of those involved in homecrafts, specialist shops have grown up around the country, supplying not only the raw materials, but providing an outlet for the finished products as well. Streaters Handicrafts Supplies, of Christchurch, has for a number of years been a regular participant in the Home Industries Pavilion at the Canterbury Show and, this year, it is appropriate that the B.N.Z. Country Craft exhibition should be the venue for their display. They will present a selection of their wide range of handicraft supplies covering rug making, needlecraft, macrame, toy making and many other interesting crafts. As well as catering for local enthusiasts, Streaters operates a world-wide mail order service. Another supplier is Several Arts, which is one of the original arts and crafts shops (Continued on Page 33).