Amateur Arts and Crafts.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXI, Issue VIII, 22 August 1903, Page 566

Amateur Arts and Crafts.

Juist now, when indoor work is the only recreation for the eraftswoman. it is difficult to find new openings for the colourist. A departure has been lately made, however, by many workers, in experimenting with the fabrication of dyes ami colours. Years ago, there is no doubt, people vastly depended on this craft, for the spinner and the weaver were homely people. Lichens were gathered from woods and copses for the brown homespun dye we know well: currant leaves and twigs were used too. with alum; whilst the pure white liehen gave a vivid crimson; willow bark was sought for a kind of flesh colour; yellow water-flags gave a dull grey; for green, broom and, likewise, poplar twigs; for purple the insect-eating sundew; dandelion served for magenta crimson; heather also gave a vivid green. And as one glances at the exquisite Morris patterns, lovely acanthus and rose pattern printed linens, it needs no connoisseur. to feel that Morris went to Nature herself for signs and colour as well as for emblems. Lately it has been the fad of many a would-be decorator not only to furnish, but to paper her own walls in a design sprung from her own brain and imagination- The main difficulty Is so to design the pattern that it may repeat or drop satisfactorily in running sequence. not only in length but by a drop-repeat; that the pattern shall also intermingle pleasantly as it hangs length by length longitudinally. The width for a design is 21 inches, and a square of that size may be taken for the preliminary sketch. The designer should of course know something of the method of printing, which to a certain extent limits the art. I would suggest a study of Mr George Haite’s “Wall Paper Design” as one of the very best introductions to the study for a fascinating subject. The practical working scales given for “repeats” are most useful, as I have myself proved. It is not a bad method to scale a specimen piece of wall-paper and note the method by which the design is brought into control. The little essay I have named is contained in a small volume, “Practical De signing,” edited by the late Gleeson White, and published by Bell, of London, at five shillings. I cannot imagine a more charming book for the student in technical design and the practical womanThere is another most interesting article in the same book, namely, on “Ironwork and Metal.” though perhaps the amateur will find Leland’s clever volume more helpful by reason of the many processes it describes. The hinge plates and handles illustrated herewith are a study in design for the eraftswoman. being 17th-century German work. Some beautiful examples are given by Mr Starkie Gardner, and fine work may be seen in the South Kensington Museum collection. How often the student depends on book knowledge when the treasures of the world lie open to her' did she but realise it! There is a most exquisite ironwork bell and dangle chain in the museum gallery, similar to that outside the house of Adam Krafft at Nuremberg. Visitors to Constance Cathedral will recall the work of Meister Johann Reifell. consisting of gateways with imitations of balustrades and arcades in perspective, ironwork which ennobles by its exquisite handling the very ■beautiful old-world cathedral in whi h so many of us have foregathered. The curious student can obtain admirable photographs of the iron gateways from Wolff, the well-known photographer at Constance.

The observing eye!—truly that is the gift which distinguishes the craftswoman from the dilettante. “She is ever learning.” and gathering Knowledge from the merest scenes of daily life. Here is a German hall bench, which may serve as a model for many an amateur earver of inspiring mood. A perfectly beautiful old oak settee, in wh'eh the gi "in was most admirably utilised. The coats of arms are intro duced in such fashion as to lose nearly all stiffness of effect. It is a very fine study of seventeenth century work.

though not worthily dealt with in the photographic reproduction.

A new opening lately sought and found by amateurs is rustic carpentry. The “Amateur’s Practical Aid Series” is mostly responsible, perhaps, for the impetus given to this work. “Carpentry for River and Garden.” edited by Chil-ton-Young. is most fascinating; pergolas, summer-houses, fences, and seats are

well and admirably dealt with; archways, too, are well illustrated for the amateur worker. “Everybody’s Guide to Carpentry,’ is also a most useful little book for the aspiring carpenter- Many a wrinkle have I won from its concise and simple directions. Its price, one shilling, puts it within reach of everybody. There are a million ways in which the woman carpenter can be help-

ful. Oh! that bill for repairs to blinds, curtains, looks, handles, bolts, which can be dealt with speedily and economically by the elever working amateur woman! Leland’s “Manual of Mending and Repairing” is another literal -godsend. Armed therewith most of our breakages can be speedily dealt with. The wonder is we are so dependent on outside labour in small matters. Mr Leland would have it otherwise by readers of his most interesting volume. Mending is a craft—well within reach—this book greatly facilitating its process.—Discipilus (in “Madame”).