Co-creating Craft

Craftspace was the Community Co-Researcher working in partnership with the Wesleyan Community Care Project and Soho House Museum in Handsworth (Birmingham), Bealtaine Festival in Ireland and

Makernow in Falmouth

www.craftspace.co.uk

An AHRC Connected Communities research project led by Falmouth University

Our key research questions:

How does learning through craft, sharing, making and reflecting develop skills and creativity? Purposeful work: how can people work purposefully and enjoyably in the second half of life? Plan for life: how can we create a sense of opportunity about the second half of life - to take stock, reskill, plan ahead, connect with others and live more healthily.

Our community participants in Birmingham and Dublin were aged 50+ In Birmingham the creative process was facilitated by designer maker Natalie Cole of Pottinger & Cole and the co-ordinator and community co-researcher was Deirdre Figueiredo, Director of Craftspace

www.craftspace.co.uk

Visit to local heritage site Soho House Museum, home of industrialist Matthew Boulton

Heritage and place as starting points for inspiration & catalysts for innovation, Images taken by individuals on their visit

First session: visit to Soho House, introductions through telling a story about a personal object from home, intro to digital manufacture, video skype with Dublin group

Second session: Co-devised collaborative craft consequences in response to similar activity seen during skype call with Dublin at previous session. Five mins each and pass it on

Second session: Co-devised collaborative craft consequences in response to similar activity seen during skype call with Dublin at previous session. Five mins each and pass it on. People spontaneously helped each other if a technique was unfamiliar.

Gloria brought in knitting she did at home to show the group

Participants were invited to record their continuous reflections and thoughts on a table cloth – these were the starting thoughts

Participants were invited to record their continuous reflections and thoughts on a table cloth – these were the starting thoughts

From inspiration to re-invention

Gloria's design inspired by Soho House Museum wallpaper lasercut into fabric for applique

Shared discussion about the next stage of Gloria's appliqué

Wall paper from Soho House Museum inspires lasercut print blocks

Myrtle & Valerie debating embroidery techniques

Alex’s lamp inspired by foliage from Soho House Museum gardens, lasercut elements

From drawing to laser, participants have learnt new skills & ways of working

Viv's first experiments with components for brooches - how to take them further?

Viv’s brooches based on floor pattern in Soho House Museum - lasercut + hand

Participants from Dublin and Birmingham meet at fablab Makernow to learn new technology skills

The Crown Jewels of Dublin, stolen in 1907, co-created again by Margaret & Frances using a combination of lasercut elements & hand crochet

Margaret & Frances – hadn’t met before & decided to co-create and share skills

Noreen and Hester problem solving together