Spier Craft Art market

Late last year I joined the Craft Art Market at Spier. It’s a permanent set-up on the very exquisite Spier wine farm in Stellenbosch (the “wine route”) and run by Sue Heathcock Projects. There are 32 makers/traders in total, designing and producing an incredible range of handmade items.

Some of my new colleagues are Zimbabwean, so I have learnt how to say Hi, how are you? “mhoro, wakadii?“, Thank you “ndatenda“, and Please cover for me, I’m going for a smoke break “ndokumbira undivhare, ndiri kuenda kunozorora” in Shona. Okay, the last phrase needs a lot of practice and I have a long way to go. I’m pretty sure that what I come out with is more likely to be along the lines of I’ve just seen a spaceship landing near the railway line or Please help me, there’s a dead frog in my underpants. Whatever it is, everyone just smiles and nods their heads.

These photos really don’t do the place any justice. Part of the estate is wetland, so there are ponds and ducks and reeds; there are also restaurants, wine tastings, gift shops, coffee shops, play areas for children, and masses of huge trees with beautifully maintained lawns and garden-scaping. Naturally, being part of the “hospitality industry”, everyone has taken a huge knock when it comes to the consequences of lockdowns and bans on international travel. But we persevere, and there seems no end to peoples’ creativity and adaptability.

And, in the end, that’s what keeps us all going, isn’t it? It’s a little late but Happy New Year to all of you :)

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ScrapHappy November

My little denim market bag has become old and shabby.  I need to have room for cash, cell phone and parking ticket – three things you never want to lose touch with when you’re busy and distracted at a market. I also like to wear it as a crossbody because it’s too easy for it to slip off if it’s just over one shoulder. Goodbye, tired old friend.

Hello, sweet and pretty new patchwork buddy!

Except for the blue lace, these bits were all leftovers from cushions and bedspreads. The back is old denim from a pair of jeans that are happily now far too big for me to wear, with an extra pocket for luck.

Have a look at other ScrapHappy stories, all inspired by Kate at Tall Tales from Chiconia

taking (a bit of) stock

Making: elephant cushions that, hopefully, will be given the thumb’s up by the Kalk Bay shop:

Gearing up for: sorting out and packing all my crafty things. Since the Big Tidy in January, which was sufficient to get the house looking decent enough to put on show, my natural love of chaos has taken over again.

Enjoying: compliments from customers – this from Enid, who stopped and bought a kitty cushion on Sunday while her family was on its way to breakfast at Woolies. She’s put the cushion on top of the throw I made for her last month.

Not enjoying: planning my finances for the next couple of months. Moving house is bloody expensive…legal fees, transfer duty, movers, aarrgghhh

Getting very cross with: Edward. His youthful naughtiness is rubbing off on my two old girls and they have started up with new bad habits, like sleeping where they shouldn’t and knocking phones and glasses off bedside tables. Here is helpful Edward:

Choco’s thoughts are clear: If he can do it, why can’t I? Now leave me alone while I’m trying to nap.

Looking forward to: having a girls’ night at my house tomorrow – Gwen, Kim, Michelle, wine, pizza, ice-cream. All the good stuff.

Grateful for: meeting lovely people through blogging. On Friday at Made in the Cape, I was visited by Lynn, who introduced herself as someone who reads my blog. I thought you’d be older, she said, at which point I knew she would be my friend for life. I haven’t had time to arrange a follow-up, but we had a long chat about all kinds of things from crochet to self-confidence, and I feel like I’ve known her for years. Lynn, if you’re reading this, please give me til next week to sort myself out, I’m a bit behind with work stuff right now :)

Sad about: my wonderful Doreen, who had a stroke last month and is recovering at Booth Memorial in Gardens. She has made a very good physical recovery but isn’t quite ready to go home just yet. She has a loving and attentive family but, with the exception of her grandson, they all live overseas. She is so frustrated that her hands aren’t up to crocheting, I can share her impatience! Last night I took her biscuits and flowers, kindly donated by Karen, and with 15 minutes to go before the end of visiting time, her daughter Linda arrived straight from the airport from the US via London. Hugs and tears.

I have so much love and admiration for this incredibly generous and hard-working and positive woman. xxx Doreen.

cushion and cat

I finally finished the patchwork cushion I wanted to give to Michelle for her birthday (two months ago already). Sorry, Michelle. But glad you like it :)

It’s a nice big fat one (46 x 62 cms) so could easily double as a pillow. And here it is on her couch. (Is it just me or is her couch pretty massive???)

Alex came round the other day to renew her bond with Jessie, whose current favourite sleeping place is in a box of fabric under the table in my sewing room.

Seems a certain human also finds this a good place to snooze. Choco (bottom left) very affronted at being left out.

And I’ve just received this email, which makes me very happy. You will forgive me if it seems boastful to share it with you? Thanks, I knew you would.

festival neighbours

Our immediate neighbours in Tent 4 :

Nico and Neville with bulbinella and beeswax bodycare and medicinal products. They gave me a sample of the royal jelly and swear I woke up feeling 10 years younger the morning after using it. Gave me quite a buzz…,

Nadine from Dragon Gems. Her sister Dorina and son Darren are also here, they’d just gone for coffee when I had a chance to take this pic. We call them The Crystal Girls, and it’s fabulous being next to them – their stall is a massive magnet.

Ben with his Potjiekings. He makes them all himself and they sell like hot cakes to the braai- and camping-crazy South Africans. Rob bought one last year, and Ben is wearing one of my beanies.

Thandeka with a vast range of handmade items. I have my eye on the leather bangles and shweshwe bags. Of course I do.

You’re not a serious teenage girl if you can pass the clothes and accessories at Chirpy Chix without getting sucked in.  Managed this year by brother and sister Andre and Sonette while their parents have a break and enjoy the winter sunshine, they are always busy!

And Rasta, who sells handmade ceramic graters (for garlic, nutmeg, etc) hand over fist, in a Jam Tarts beanie just perfect for him – mad stripes and two fat pompoms. Big enough for him to tuck back all his dreads :-)

Grahamstown is rocking :-)