WOMEN and HANDCRAFTS

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12394, 13 March 1926, Page 15

WOMEN and HANDCRAFTS

A recent exhibition of - applied arts and handicrafts afforded an excellent opportunity for women who are interested in these subjects to, gain knowledge on various points, and possibly to, select a special line for themselves. There is, for instance, quite a flourishing hand-loom industry in existence among cultured women. Lessons can "be obtained in spinning, weaving, and rug-making, and some of the finished fabrics, when vegetable-dyed,, are very beautiful. They find a ready sale, and

yield a good profit to the manufacturers. This art might be considered by way of being a reversion to the olden days rather than a step forward; but perhaps it may be a fair summary to say that it is a step in the right direction for the skilled woman-worker. Hand-painted buttons, /original in design, .offer another opportunity for the artistio woman. People are prepared to pay well,for these trifles, which rank almost with jewellery; and, of courses in their train follow handpainted brooches, earrings, and all kinds of things of a similar nature. Clehe-Ghelsea pottery models of Old World cottages and gardens give Bcope for the woman modeller. The specimens exhibited- were very beautiful productions, with every detail' perfect. Orders .were taken for the modelling of individual houses—an idea which appeals to people with sufficient money for luxuries of this kind. In any case it would he a very permanent record of a home, and could quite easily acquire a sentimental value in a, family. Another artist was making -electriolight standards,, hook-rests, floral sunshade tops, and even carved and painted earrings and pendants in ornamental wood-carving: while yet another Was, doing, a flourishing book-binding business with marbled papers. Tooled leather work, from which can be. fashioned endless articles in the way of writing-oases, hqok-covers, handbags, photo-frames, etc., is more generally known as an artistio woman’s occupation; so also is hand-wrought jewellery. Tins latter occupation has made great strides, and one woman was exhibiting an array of really beautiful pendants, brooches, and rings in Ohinese jade, opals, amber, chalcedony, amethysts, etc. , Beaten pewter work and Chinese lacquer. also offer very fascinating occu-

pations for the many women who are seeking an unusual and interesting outlet for their energies.