Wren Creative Journal

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Wren Creative Journal

We are a bi-annual journal for everyday makers.

Those creative minds who aren’t experts or master-crafters, rather they’re passionate about what they do because it brings them great connection, wellbeing and of course joy.

07/08/2022

Our very last tip to becoming a better creative learner speaks to the idea of understanding yourself and how 'you' personally learn best.

Over the past few months we've looked at lots of different ways to mix things up and challenge yourself creatively.

Ultimately though - understanding yourself and how you learn best is the most important thing.

Are you someone who needs to feel the clay in their hands or make contact with you pen on the paper to start the flow?

Are you someone who reads or listens to stories and considers deeply before moving forward creatively?

Are you someone who likes to explore independently, rather than taking instruction?

Or are you someone who likes working collaboratively and hearing the opinions of others as guidance?

Utlimately there is a place where your creative learning thrives best and finding it may require a bit of trial and error first.

Don't think that you are stuck - you're not. Keep on and you can become that everyday creative you always wanted to be!

26/07/2022

Come visit the Firestation Print Studio in Armadale between 11 - 4pm this coming Saturday and Sunday as part of the annual 'Melbourne Open House' festival.

Visit the studio's of artists in residence and see what this fantastic printmaking hub has to offer - including 'Escape' an FPS members exhibition, with prizes on offer for best Intaglio, Relief, Monoprint and Artist's Book. (People's Choice Awards voted by you).

Wren Creative Journal is really excited to be a sponsor and we have copies of our first issue onsale at the Firestation Print Studio all weekend for the special Open House Weekend price of $6.00.

Beat the winter blues and come on over to this unique arts space to be inspired today.

https://openhousemelbourne.org/event/firestation-print-studio/

05/07/2022

Its always heartbreaking to say 'goodbye' and whilst we haven't been in your lives for long, we have so loved all the wonderful stories shared and support we've received since the launch of our first issue in 2021. Its been a tough couple of years, so you've brought more than a little light into our lives!!

So this is a tribute to the many talented people who have given their time, expertise and financial support to us. The artists, makers, writers, designers, photographers and most of all everyday creatives who have joined us on the journey.

It was really fun while it lasted.

As we move forward, Wren Creative Journal will continue to keep its doors open for a little while longer and don't forget we still have print copies available of Issue 1 via our website at www.wrencreativejournal.com (or via the bio in our link), if you missed out the first time.

Everyone who has pre-purchased Issue 2 or has a subscription has now been sent an email. If this applies to you and you have not received this - please let us know via our email, [email protected]

Thanks everyone - we'll really miss you!

03/07/2022

The road...not the destination.

Observe the scenery, feel the pothole bumps, smell the air and listen to the buzz.

You'll find way more inspiration that way.

26/06/2022

You can stand on your own two creative feet.

Learn to trust your instincts more and autonomy will site more comfortably with you in practice.

23/06/2022

Kintsugi is a Japanese art form in which breaks and repairs are treated as part of the object's history. Broken ceramics are carefully mended by artisans with a lacquer resin mixed with powdered gold, silver, or platinum. The repairs are visible, beautiful, and an antidote to the culture of disposability.

Kintsugi means "golden joinery" in Japanese. (Sometimes the process is called kintsukuroi, which means "golden repair.")

"The art may date back to the late 15th century", explains The Washington Post, "when Japanese sh**un Ashikaga Yoshimasa returned a broken Chinese tea bowl to China to have it repaired. The bowl was given back to him held together with unattractive metal staples." At the time, staples were the main method used to fix broken, yet valuable, vessels. Tiny holes were drilled on either side of the broken pieces and then metal staples were bent and used to hold them in place.

The result was practical, but not very attractive. Yoshimasa's experience may have triggered a quest by Japanese craftsmen to find a new type of repair that could make damaged items look new — or even better.

The craft became so beautiful and so revered that collectors developed an appetite for the mended pieces. Some people were accused of purposely breaking prized items just so they could be repaired with the golden art. Some say that an item repaired by kintsugi looks more beautiful than when it was whole.

When a ceramic vessel undergoes this mending transformation, its once-smooth surface becomes covered with rivers of colored zigzags and patterns. Because the repairs are done with meticulous skill (and with precious metal), the mended fractures look immaculate and artistic.

(Many thanks to www.treehugger.com for information).

22/06/2022

Today we are sharing a sneak peek of the exciting original work being created by the talented printmaker, textile and mixed media artist and creative, Alison Stone () for our second issue's front cover.

Titled 'My Asemic Journey' this work encapsulates the many layers of learning that Alison has engaged with along her journey of creative discovery. She is now in the process of curating work for a solo show from 21st September - 8th October at the Firestation Print Studio in Armadale, Melbourne.

More exciting detail on Alison's 'Asemic Journey', process and her upcoming exhibition soon. www.fps.org.au/gallery-calendar-2022 ()

Copies of our upcoming Issue are available for pre-sale via our website. www.wrencreativejournal.com.au (or via link in bio)

20/06/2022

A former Prime Minister once said to a question about leadership 'If you don't believe in yourself and what you're doing, how can you expect others to'.

Bringing people with us on the journey with our creative practice, involves a good deal of healthy self-belief.

Otherwise you're not doing yourself or your work justice.

18/06/2022

Colour can be an amazing tool for any creative to use.

During our recent visit to the Australian Tapestry Workshop we were privileged to experience the results of the ATW's world class 'Colour Laboratory' where they can produce pretty much any Pantone colour and more!

Don't forget to purchase your copy of our upcoming issue LEARN coming out in early August via our website www.wrencreativejournal.com.au

15/06/2022

Upcycling represents a variety of processes by which “old” products get to be modified and get a second life as they’re turned into a “new” product. In this way, thanks to the mix and aggregation of used materials, components and items, the end result is a “new product” with more value than the original value of the sum of all its components. In other others, upcycling is about materials or items that get to be re-adapted and/or re-purposed in a creative way, and whose lifespan is, therefore, expanded.

The difference between upcycling and recycling is that the latter takes materials like paper, metal, plastic or glass and breaks them down – hence creating a new product (typically of more inferior quality). And as we’ve seen, upcycling doesn’t mean breaking down materials but rather sorting and reusing them in a different, often more fashionable way.

If we look at upcycling from a large, scale perspective, we can say that in theory, it contributes to the reduction of CO2 emissions. Not only because the lifetimes of the materials used are extended, but also because there’s, in theory, contributes ultimately to reducing carbon emissions by extending lifetimes of used materials, components and products, and spending less energy in extracting, transforming, new ones or recycling.

12/06/2022

Being wrong and making mistakes makes you a much more interesting person.

11/06/2022

These reusable beeswax wraps are an excellent alternative to plastic cling wrap and zip lock bags. Wrap up cut up fruit and veggies, sandwiches and rolls, and cover plates and bowls.

Achieving the perfect beeswax wax wrap consistency can be tricky. The wax coating needs just the right amount of stickiness to grip, and amount of flex so that it does not crack when moulded. The type of beeswax you use can also make a difference.

Ingredients:
- Cotton fabric cut to desired size (this recipe makes enough to approx. cover one 25cm x 25cm piece). Use pinking shears to reduce frayed edges.
- 17g beeswax
- 5g gum rosin (pine resin)*
- 1/2 tbsp jojoba oil

You will also need a mason jar, saucepan, spoon to stir, oven, oven tray, baking paper, a paint or basting brush (keep this brush for this purpose only), clothes hanger for drying, pegs for hanging.

*Gum rosin is available in a powdered form or in chunks. They are both the same. The powdered form will just dissolve faster.

Method
1. Preheat your oven to 150 degrees C.
2. Place the beeswax, rosin and jojoba oil into a mason jar and set that mason jar into a saucepan filled with about 5cm of water. Place the saucepan onto the stove, turn to medium heat and melt the contents of the jar, stirring occasionally. Resin takes longer to melt than beeswax, so it’s best to have the heat on medium to high heat initially to speed up the process. The water should be simmering.
3. Lay baking paper over the oven tray and place your fabric flat on top.
4. Once the beeswax mixture has completely melted, use a spoon and drizzle the mixture evenly over the fabric.
5. Place the tray into the pre-heated oven for about 2 minutes to reheat. This is necessary for ease of spreading in the next step.
6. Pull the oven tray out and use your basting brush to spread the mixture quite thick and evenly over the fabric. Don’t forget the edges and corners.
7. Pop it back into the oven for a minute to ‘melt out’ and any uneven bumps or clumps.
8. Remove from oven and hang up with pegs to let set and dry.

If your wraps are too sticky, use less pine resin next time.

08/06/2022

Who loves a Star Wars pun?

Yes we know!!!! Again, unapologetic about the humour, but we hope it puts a little smile on your face.

We are working hard at Wren at present to bring you Issue 2 by August. In the meantime you can purchase you copies in advance by visiting our website www.wrencreativejournal.com.au

At $8.00 (Print) & $6.00 (E-Zine) + Taxes and Postage its hardly the price of 2 coffees to indulge in reading about some very creative people and their stories.

May the force be with you and come read our journal!

05/06/2022

Who doesn't love a WOW moment?

They remind us of why as humans we create, open our eyes wide and give us motivation.

They can be big or small and sometimes there is greater pleasure in the subtle awe of the everyday.

Look for it today and see what you can find.

04/06/2022

If you haven't already met Bo (our Native Pink Robin) and Fred (our Superb Fairywren), both of these little birds represent our first and second issues.

We hope you enjoy the banter!

Our journal is available for pre-sale via our website www.wrencreativejournal.com.au

02/06/2022

We're proud of our first issue published last September, that featured some of our wonderfully talented Australian makers.

If you didn't get a chance to get a copy last year there are still a limited number of copies available via our website www.wrencreativejournal.com.au.

They're going fast - so grab one today and maybe pre-purchase issue 2 at the same time!

31/05/2022

"I assume that unless I'm doing a refresher that most people have never touched it (Solar-Plate Etching). With a recent workshop at the Firestation Print Studio in Melbourne nearly half of the students had never print-made at all before. Being a two day workshop, it's quite good because I can go through every part from the drawing, to the making of the plate, to the printing. It all needs time to explore, because each student will print their end result quite differently. It's so gratifying when somebody produces work that is really authentic to them. Sometimes I wish I had a video at the end as they go WOW!" - Trudy Rice

Trudy Rice is an artist and printmaker, teacher and mentor. Her work is inspired by native flora and fauna in natural world she sees and experiences around her. An interview with Trudy features in our upcoming issue of Wren Creative Journal.

To find our more about Trudy, her work and her workshops you can pre-purchase a copy of our journal (via the link in our bio) and visit her website www.trudyricecollection.com

29/05/2022

Others are able to see your work more objectively at times than you are. Trust feedback from friends and close colleagues - as they know you.

Even creative feedback you don't want to hear is worth it, as it may encourage you to take a different path or confirm that you were right all along!!!

Criticism isn't always a bad thing and being strong enough to hear means your work can grow. Test your pre-conceptions confidently.

It might just be what makes you and your work great.

-conceptions

28/05/2022

"There is a balance of both in the ATW courses, instructional teaching & supported independent learning. Time is a factor in tapestry weaving, students need extensive periods of time to weave, meaning they will need to so some independent learning in between classes. To do this we provide extensive notes and videos for the online instruction, giving them time to practice and explore techniques at home. We provide expert feedback, demonstrate techniques, and show examples of artist weavers work and works from the ATW." - Adriane Hayward (Public Programs Manager)

The Australian Tapestry Workshop is internationally renowned for creating handwoven contemporary tapestries. Unique to Australia and one of only a few workshops remaining worldwide the ATW's far-reaching reputation and longstanding cultural partnerships enable them to present a global program to local audiences and share Victorian creative excellence with the world.

Their South Melbourne open studio, colour laboratory and galleries are a creative hub for engagement with tapestry, textiles and contemporary art. The ATW develop and deliver multitiered programming that educates and inspires arts and general audiences through online and real-world avenues, nurturing creative exchange and sharing specialist knowledge across generations.

To learn more about the ATW and the range of courses they offer from Introductory to Advance and Expanded Weaving you can pre-purchase a copy of our upcoming issue (via our website www.wrencreativejournal.com.au) or visit the ATW website www.austapestryworkshop.com.au

27/05/2022

Resin art is created when a runny chemical called epoxy resin is combined with various colour pigments and additives to produce a blend of unique patterns and textures. The resin mixture gradually hardens (when mixed with a hardener) to a solid plastic as a chemical reaction between its components takes place.

Resin art is a highly versatile art form that allows for endless possibilities.

Resin is a durable and strong medium, leaving a high gloss, protective finish that allows for a variety of effects to be achieved in art. Epoxy resin is commonly used in art in a variety of ways sealing works like drawings, watercolour works, alcohol ink, mixed media, oil paintings, and photographs, creating a beautiful, high shine, ultra-glossy protective varnish.

26/05/2022

You can now pre-order your copy of Wren Issue 2: Learn so you get it straight off the press once it's published in early August.

Packed with interesting goodies and at only $8.00 (printed) and $6.00 (digital e-zine) + tax and delivery - its a MUST to purchase.

So order your copies today and wait for that lovely surprise in the mail in June!

25/05/2022

Another Fred & Bo cartoon for this week to put a smile on your face!

To learn more about all the creatives we have featured in Issue 2. Our print and e-zines are available for pre-sale now via our website www.wrencreativejournal.com.au

24/05/2022

"People tend to like the romanticism of it all, and of course it presents beautifully in a visual sense. You see all these old books and have a desire to save them and feel good about it, but there are many levels of understanding and skills to master. If you are passionate about it – you’ll stick with it." - Phil Ridgway (Ortbindery)

Melbourne School of Bookbinding (Ortbindery) offers a range of learning oppportunities from foundation courses to specialised projects and techniques, as well as competition entries. They also take on commissions and restoration.

To find out more about what they do and how you can learn these remarkable skills pre-purchase a copy of our upcoming issue today (via our website www.wrencreativejournal.com.au) and visit their website www.ortbindery.com

23/05/2022

Mehndi is a form of body art and temporary skin decoration from the Indian subcontinent usually drawn on hands or legs, in which decorative designs are created on a person's body, using a paste, created from the powdered dry leaves of the henna plant (Lawsonia inermis).

22/05/2022

Curb that green eyed monster and enjoy celebrating a colleague's creative achievements,

You know the age-old saying - what goes around, comes around.

21/05/2022

Need a bit of a laugh, or even just a little smile?

We're repeating our Fred & Bo series - so expect a few more bad jokes in the coming weeks. We make no apologies for the humour, we just hope you enjoy the beautiful graphics created by Renae our lovely graphic designer.

At Wren we are so pleased to start seeing our issue coming together. We feel so privileged to have such talented and generous creatives involved and we can't wait to share their stories with you.

www.wrencreativejournal.com.au

20/05/2022

"Some students have been woodworking forever. You can be a bit of a social butterfly and love the social aspect of coming in. Its about sharing the workshop with other like minded people. They feed off each other, especially the newbies that join us. They watch to see what other people are doing so they can share skills and expertise." - Jacqui Boell (MGFW)

Melbourne Guild Of Fine Woodworking .g.f.woodworking who feature in our upcoming issue about creative learning offer a multitude of different courses from short-courses, to weekend intensives, using machines or hand tools.

Pre-purchase a printed or digital copy today to read all about them or visit www.mgfw.com.au to find out more about their courses today.

15/05/2022

The stories we tell one another are amongst the most important learning we will have in our lives.

Be generous in sharing honestly your own creative journey with others.

Remember to turn off your mobile phone and sit patiently while listening deeply to other's stories. If you feel the need to speak don't interrupt, wait for natural pause and ask them open ended questions to keep the story going.

It will cultivate a stronger power of attention in you, which may spill over into your practice.

12/05/2022

We may have changed our launch date, but you can still pre-order your copy of Wren Issue 2: Learn NOW so you get it straight off the press once it's published in late July.

Visit www.wrencreativejournal.com.au

Packed with interesting goodies and at only $8.00 (printed) and $6.00 (digital e-zine) + tax and delivery - its a MUST to purchase.

So order your copies today and wait for that lovely surprise in the mail in August!

10/05/2022

We thought we'd share a sneak peak of some of the fantastic schools and artists that we're featuring in our upcoming issue.

From L-R and T-B: Type at Ortbindery, Student work in the Expanded Weaving Course at the Australian Tapestry Workshop, Nature inspired collections at Trudy Rice's workshop, The multitude of yarns at the Australian Tapestry Workshop, and the specialist furniture course making a 'Rookee' military chair.

Read about the range of courses and the unique teaching styles offered and the creative communities they've created. Hear student stories on how they've discovered the joy of learning and made like minded friends in the process.

On sale now via www.wrencreativejournal.com.au

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And we're off.....support a small, creative business and grab your copy of our journal now. 40 pages of inspiration, images and information for your making. We're really proud of our first issue and hope you'll spread the news by sharing with friends, family and other creatives! Use our QR code to purchase your printed copy of Wren Issue 1 online today or purchase printed, digital and subscriptions at www.wrencreativejournal.com.au An absolute steal at $8.00 + P&H. #creativehappylife #creativepeople #handmade #makers #makersgonnamake #makersmagazine #selfpublisher #creativepublications #creativeenterpreneur #indymag #wrencreativejournal

1 more sleep until publishing....... Digital copies and subscriptions available from tomorrow. Many thanks to the talented Katherine Masuilanis @kasia_makes for our wonderful front cover for Issue 1. To pre-order and read more about Katherine and her creative work visit www.wrencreativejournal.com.au #multimediaartist #creativity #creativehappylife #makersmagazine #makersgonnamake #selfpublisher #creativeenterpreneur #indymag #wrencreativejournal

3 Days until publishing and we're excited! Digital copies and subscriptions available from September 30. Many thanks to the talented Eli Beke @wedge_edge and photographer Katey Shearer for the image of his work used here. To pre-order Issue 1 and read more about Eli visit www.wrencreativejournal.com.au #spooncarver #woodcraft #creativity #creativehappylife #makersmagazine #makersgonnamake #selfpublisher #creativeenterpreneur #indymag #wrencreativejournal

5 Days until publishing and we're excited! Digital copies and subscriptions available from September 30. Many thanks to the talented Melinda Muscat @melindamuscat forthe image of her work used here. To pre-order Issue 1 and read more about Melinda visit www.wrencreativejournal.com.au #ballaratartist #embroideryart #creativity #creativehappylife #makersmagazine #makersgonnamake #selfpublisher #creativeenterpreneur #indymag #wrencreativejournal

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