Etsy Craft Party 2015
Scouts, it’s time to get your craft on this Saturday 6 June for the annual Etsy Global Craft Party. I love the idea that thousands (millions?) of people around the world come together over 24 hours to celebrate – and make! – craft. This year’s Craft Party theme is ‘Kaleidoscope: Paper Taking Shape’.
(Above, clockwise from top: ‘Bear portrait’ and ‘Bird portrait’ gouche/collage for Outre Gallery by Beci Orpin; Framed Original Collage Artwork / UTOPIA by Laura Blythman; DIY Neon Kaleidoskop by Ludorn; DIY stained glass cellophane artwork by Estefi Machado; Shapes & Colors Overlay Play Cards by Mr Printables.)
Etsy craft party supplies. Photo courtesy of Etsy.
This year I’ll be attending the Sydney Etsy Craft Party, which is being held in conjunction with Vivid Ideas. Etsy will be hosting an all-day celebration (midday to 11pm) complete with music, markets and, naturally, plenty of paper craft materials so you can create your own kaleidoscopic masterpiece.
Make a Colorful Paper Weaving, via the Etsy blog.
But where to start? It’s no coincidence that Etsy chose ‘kaleidoscope’ as a theme, as graphic representations of kaleideoscopes have been trending in fashion, design and interiors for the past few years. Get inspired by fashion designers such as Manish Arora, Clover Canyon, Giambattista Valli, Valentino and Missoni, who have all worked kaleidoscopic prints and shapes into their recent collections.
Valentino Resort 2015. Photo courtesy of Valentino.
From John Nicholson’s exhibition ‘Breaking House’, courtesy of Sophie Gannon Gallery.
Clockwise from top right: Valentino pre Spring/Summer 2015 Ready-To-Wear; Artwork by Olafur Eliasson; Giambattista Valli Pre-Fall 2015; Alexander McQueen stained glass print wool crepe dress; Giambattista Valli Pre-Fall 2015; Carl Kleiner; Peggy Moffit in ‘kite coat’.
Kaleidoscopic design can be found everywhere… even in umbrellas.
Inspiration in a brolly: Joyaux Marisols. Photo courtesy of Joyaux Marisols.
For a bit of high-brow inspiration, have a look at the work by 20th century modernist artists, who incorporate colour, light, sound, movement and space into their work. The National Gallery of Victoria’s current exhibition, The Kaleidoscopic Turn, is also a great place to start. The exhibition explores the legacy of these modernist works. Key artists in this period include Bridget Riley, Martha Boto, Zilvinas Kempinas, Marco Fusinato, Melinda Harper and Sandra Selig, among others.
Finally, get inspired by our very own Creative Director, Lisa Tilse, and her kaleidoscopic-themed paper craft tutorials. Here are three step-by-step tutorials to get you started.
Tutorial: How to make a paper weaving artwork, by Lisa Tilse for We Are Scout.
Tutorial: How to make a kaleidoscopic paper patchwork artwork, by Lisa Tilse for We Are Scout.
Tutorial: How to make paper gems with printable template by Lisa Tilse for We Are Scout.
The Sydney Etsy Craft Party will be held on Saturday 6 June, from midday to 11pm at:
6-8 Atherden Street,
The Rocks, Sydney
To find an Etsy Craft Party near you, visit etsy.me/craftpartyaustralia. And don’t forget to use the official global Craft Party hashtag #craftparty for all of your pics this Saturday. Can’t wait to see them!
(Lisa’s really disappointed that she won’t be able to make Sydney’s Etsy Craft Party on Saturday as she’s still very ill with pneumonia. Big sad face. Get better soon, Lisa!)
