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.
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.
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.
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!)