WORKSHOP - Masterclass -Aukje Boonstra

Freeform Re-Invention

re-create, re-stitch, re-colour with natural dyes

24th and 25th October 2009

Aukje in full flight - see Aukje's profile at foot of this page

Enjoy a special weekend with Aukje who is commited to teaching her joy in textiles - and lucky us - she has accepted our invitation to travel over the ditch from Tasmania and spend a weekend of embroidery and natural dyeing enjoyment. Her works explore the themes of life love and happiness and she invites you to come along and tell your story under her guidance. Recently she exhibited 'From the Earth'. Scroll down to view images from this work, and realise here you have a tutor with special quality who will bring you to wonderful work.

Cost: $132.00 for one day or come to both days and pay $198.00 for the weekend. Bring your own bits to make masterpeice.

You need your lunch- unless you choose to go to one of the many local cafes - we provide complimentary refreshments including a range of healthy teas. Doors open 9.30 for a 10.00am start.

Email us to express your interest

PROFILE – Aukje Boonstra

In 1996 I started studying the textile arts. Before that I was a potter, but because of a chronic back problem I had to change my direction. Pottery is very organic, working with clay. But the way I have learned to work with textiles is very organic as well.

Natural dyeing is one of my passions. The whole process of collecting dye sources such as leaves, flowers and barks, then put them in I a dye pot, simmer the cloth slowly, then the moment to unpack the dye pot is very exciting. It is always a surprise what the colours are going to be like. Also it is a bit unpredictable, because so much depends on the way the weather has been and on the water we use for the dyeing.

The making do culture of the late 19th and early 20th century fascinates me as well. The wagga concept, making quilts out of flour and sugar bags, blanket material and old clothing I find very interesting. I work with old blanket material, cut up silk shirts, natural dye appliqué and embroider it and embellish it with found objects. Making something of beauty out of something what other people discard I find very satisfying.

For the last twelve months I have been working with second hand clothing. Going around the opportunity shops and find good quality clothing, turning that into wearable art, which is suitable to wear on any occasion is something I am also passionate about.

I am also a tutor, who conducts workshops in natural dyeing, creative embroidery, working with second hand clothing, making contemporary dolls, naming a few things. In 2008 I had a sole exhibition, called From the Earth, showing natural dyed and embroidered wall pieces and an installation made of 40 metres of dyed silk. The exhibition was held in the Creative Paper Mill in Burnie Tasmania. An article about the exhibition can be found in the Textile Fibre Forum magazine no 92 2008

Aukje is a passionate craft person, dyer, textile artist, natural dyer and stitcher.