Making it HANDMADE part 4 and “The Band”

Monday was a marathon day. I returned to teaching, then after a 3 hour class headed off to see Pip Lincolne from “Meet me at Mikes”. I asked her kindly if I could re-shoot her interview as she was very sick when I originally did so. She actually admitted she couldn’t really remember anything about the interview, and while her answers were good, she looked unwell.

Afterwards we drank cups of tea and extensively chatted before heading off to a Brown Owls gathering. I have to admit it is a truly strange sensation pointing a camera at people you don’t know and shooting footage. I always feel like I should do an official “Hi I’m Anna and I’m making a film about…” I did introduce myself but then moved around the room shooting. About half way through people started asking me questions and then the flood gates opened!
There was lots on interesting discussion about craft and female inheritance, why people sell their craft and can you actually make a living from doing so. Home baked treats filled the kitchen as people skill shared, talk about their their days and the inspirations. I wanted to put down my camera and whip out my knitting and join them. The funniest question I got asked was “Do I make craft?”. I find this very strange but I guess people look at me and don’t think I fit the idea of one who crafts, this was something Pip and I had discussed that afternoon, the perception of who crafts. A very interesting night, but a long one….I didn’t make it home til 11pm and considering I left home at 7am, it was a very long day/night!
Today, I will finish shooting the various websites people talk about and use. Thrilling I know!!
However, I am looking forward to Thursday night as I’m off to shoot an evening of mischief with the Melbourne Revolutionary Craft Circle.
Now, I have over 13 hrs worth of footage and my hard drive is looking very full, so after this weekend I will commence post production. Firstly, I’m going to edit a teaser together, so I’ll post it on youtube for all to see and I would love feedback.
On another note, its official I am off to the Berlin Porn Film Festival in October! I’ve raised the airfare by writing articles for various magazines men’s magazines! Very exciting and it looks like quite a few ex-pat Australians will be slipping across from London to be at the screening! I’ve never been to Berlin so it will be great to have a few days to explore the city, unfortunately I will only be there for about 6 days and I’m hoping I can do some publicity for “The Band” and its upcoming DVD release…….more on this later!

“making it HANDMADE” part 2

Yesterday, I headed out in the gale force winds to interview Pip Lincolne. I meet Pip years ago when her shop “Meet me at Mike’s” was still in Richmond, but since then she has become such a whirlawind in the indie craft scene, been extensively featured in the press and has such a huge “fan club” world wide I wasn’t quite sure who I was going to be meeting this time! Was this another person driven by money, cashing in on the resurgence of craft???

The answer is definately no! I now understand why Pip has such a huge following ( over 2000 visitors to her blog daily). Here is a woman who is passionate about craft and creating, but who isn’t precious about her “art” and is happy to share her skills and knowledge to encourage everyone to have a go at crafting even if they make mistakes or produce “crap”craft. Its so refreshing to hear this and is something I think is wonderful about the indie craft movement that its about creating and not being put off by what I call the craft nazis ( those who insist on perfect technique) and letting your creativity roam free!
Today I’ll be shooting footage of craft websites!! Thrilling I hear you yell! No not really but needs to be done for storytelling purposes!
Tomorrow I’m off to interview outspoken and fiesty crafter and designer Peta Pledger, which should be lots of fun and stir the pot up!!!