Events – Page 5 – CONVENT AND CHAPEL

Another Market Day

Published on March 9, 2014 by conventandchapelLeave a comment

The stall invites people to look at and feel the different textures

The Linen Stitch Scarves were a talking point with the knitters and weavers with their unusual woven texture

Today was my fourth market stall at Rylstone Artisan Markets and I’m starting to feel like a regular. Given I started my knitting stall in early Summer, it’s given me time to get a feel prior to Winter approaching and I’m confident that I’ll hit my stride in the next few months. Each month I more than stock up on sold items, whilst always adding one new range. This month I’ve added Linen Stitch Scarves for which in the next month or two I’ll also put the pattern and kit together. I’m also stocking up on Winter items, with the plan to incorporate locally grown and spun Alpaca.

A bit of self promotion is on the cards, given the success at local Shows, with me displaying the ribbons at my stall. I know many of my purchases are gifts, so it provides a talking point for the giver. It’s also a great conversation-starter with other knitters.

I’m meeting heaps of locals – knitters, crafters, farmers and chatterers, which is great given I’m still so new to the area. I also hope it provides a point of interest and an attraction to visitors to the area.

I probably have stocked up enough on the laceweight mohair and lace scarves

The kits are also proving to be popular – both with knitters and as gifts, which is highly rewarding as I hope to inspire and encourage others to create something special with lovely yarns and textures.

After this market, I’ll be moving more into Winter stock – mitts, beanies and scarves. I noticed the change this time as people were more interested in the mitts and beanies than the feather-weight lace scarves. It’s also time to tackle a few more challenging knits which may at one point also go into some of the Shows. Whilst I knit the occasional garment, my preference remains epic lace shawls (in lace weight yarns) and pragmatic but textured blankets. These can provide quite a contrast which is reflected in two very different recent yarn orders – the reliable and cost-effective Bendigo Woollen Mills, and the seductive, luxurious and indulgent Sundara Yarn (silk lace, of course).

Something for me ... — Something for me …

Rylstone Artisan Markets – Now a Regular

Published on February 26, 2014 by conventandchapelLeave a comment

I'm happy with my stall. I make sure I add a new range each market. — I’m happy with my stall. I make sure I add a new range each market.

Rylstone Pantry - my first choice for jams for the Convent, especially the Pear and Vanilla. — Rylstone Pantry – my first choice for jams for the Convent, especially the Pear and Vanilla.

This weekend was my third consecutive appearance as a stall holder at the monthly Rylstone Artisan Markets and I’m beginning to feel like a regular. Whilst a little slow for knits in incredibly hot and dry weather, I still feel like I’m doing well, although I seem to spend most of my time chatting to people and spend far too much of my takings on other stalls.

Yes, there is handspun and hand-dyed yarn.

There is a wonderful collection of stalls – all locally produced – and is well supported by locals as well as a popular attraction for visitors. A few new stalls have opened along with me, keeping the markets fresh. The party planner this month was such a treat for the kids – with balloon sausage dogs and a fairy floss machine.

It’s been rewarding that people are now buying kits and knitting themselves. I was thrilled to see at least four other stallholders knitting whilst waiting for customers – and they weren’t from handcraft stalls!

I think there will be a greatly increased demand as the weather starts to cool down, so I’m focussed on building up stock in the lead up to Winter. Anyway, it’s great to get sales but it’s so much fun just being there and being part of the market community.

The party planner was a big hit with the children

Show Day

Published on February 24, 2014 by conventandchapel2 Comments

One day I might just get there ... — One day I might just get there …

Country Shows are very special for local rural communities. It’s a day when families get together, where local organisations exhibit and farmers get to display and compete with their produce and stock. The whole town turns out and many participate in the various events. There’s a real pastoral feel, even that the first displays you see as you enter are the farm produce, with the rides at the back of the Show. Even though it’s rural, there’s a touch of magic for the kids with the sideshow alley.

This was my second Rylstone Kandos Show, but my first as a resident. As I did last year, I entered the Knitting section – a single entry this time – with the high bar of matching last year’s first and Champion Piece of Knitting. My lace shawl with beads managed to make the grade, although it was just as exciting to see my friend take out second. We have been challenged to branch out into some new categories next year. Unfortunately my entries with cherry tomatoes and mixed edible herbs didn’t make any grades with no placements. The produce entries are inspiring and remind me how far I have to go. Next year I may be tempted to enter some of the flower categories, particularly roses, if I can get them to flower at the right time!

It’s always good to see the animals and see the pride and care farmers take in their stock. I made sure I had a look at the poultry pavilion as I’m still learning about chooks and which breeds I should be getting. At the moment the Silkies are looking good (they are just so cute and fluffy) and the smooth bantams. I really don’t need big chooks – they’re just for eggs and apparently these are good layers, even if the eggs won’t be huge.

What's a country show without a scarecrow competition — What’s a country show without a scarecrow competition

We were there pretty much the whole day and into the night which ended with a long firework display. There was so much to see that we didn’t get to take in nearly all the events, but the sheep mustering with the working dogs was great to watch and the Jack Russell races were hilarious. I still don’t understand why Hammer didn’t even get a acknowledged as a candidate for People’s Choice voting after he managed to catch the lure in all three races he was in!

The Jack Russell races are a feature. Hammer was a legend managing to catch the lure every race.

Anyway, a long and enjoyable day with friends and we are already planning for next year!

I'm sure lots of little and big people felt just like this little fella by the end of the day — I’m sure lots of little and big people felt just like this little fella by the end of the day

Kandos Industrial Museum Lives

Published on February 12, 2014 by conventandchapelLeave a comment

I’ve mentioned the local museum in a previous post and that I hoped it would reopen soon. The building is special to me as it is the closest relation in town to the Convent with its distinctive Spanish mission style architecture.

Unfortunately it has been dogged by controversy and conflict over the last year or so which led to it being closed to the public mid last year. The Council have now committed to funding renovations and are handing ownership of the property over to the community via what will be a newly formed incorporated association.

Action is happening quickly with packers moving in this week to pack and store parts of the collection so renovations can begin. After all the past controversy, it is encouraging and inspiring to see the community get behind this project. The Museum is important to the locals as both the repository of their history and as a potential attraction to visitors and they are justly proud of the collection that they have built themselves.

The Museum is distinctive in that it reflects Kandos’s heritage as an industrial town – with a twentieth century past that has been forged out of mining and the cement works that founded the town. Unlike most rural museums, it is less pastoral and focuses on industries that flourished during the period of heroic nation-building. The collection has been described as idiosyncratic – it has it’s quirky elements such as the cement dress which was constructed by an HSC student and the Lady Bushranger’s teapot, but it also has a fascinating collection from cement and mining works which have played such an important and often undervalued role in building our country. These elements are often overlooked as we prefer to romanticise our pastoral heritage.

Over the past few days I’ve been helping record the museum collection as it gets packed and it has been a pleasure to meet the founding members who have popped in with words of encouragement. A sense of excitement is growing as we can see the Museum having a new lease of life (and a facelift).

The plan is that it will reopen prior to the town’s centenary celebrations over the October long weekend. There’s an enormous amount of work to do to get us to that point but if the level of support received so far is any indication, we’ll get there and have a grand reopening.

Markets Second Time Around

Published on January 11, 2014 by conventandchapel2 Comments

Happy with the look of the stall. Lots of interest and colour.

Yesterday was my second foray into the Rylstone Artisan Markets with my Convent and Chapel knitting stall. I had slightly adjusted stock by removing some of the more Wintry beanies and adding a loose knit cotton blend scarf pattern and a new vibrant set of mitts, plus a few other random knitted items.

This month's new addition - a drop stitch scarf — This month’s new addition – a drop stitch scarf

As expected, it was a much smaller and quieter market, with fewer stall holders and visitors given the holiday break. I was more than happy just to be there and chat with my fellow stall holders with no expectations of sales. Fortunately, I still did quite well – not as much as last time, but definitely worthwhile and confidence-building.

I sell both finished items and kits – complete with my own patterns as well as the yarn and any other items needed to finish the garment. I’m keen to encourage others to practice the craft. At both markets so far I’ve sold both, although the knitted items sell much faster, meaning that I have lots of knitting to do inbetween markets to restock. The plan is to keep the items fresh with regular new additions that adjust with the seasons.

Attracting the paparazzi. This was in The Weekly local newspaper

I’m really pleased with how my stall looks and it attracts lots of comments. We even made it into The Weekly local paper! It’s good even if people just stop for a look and comment on items – it’s quite different to anything else at the markets. The other stall holders are incredibly friendly and encouraging and I’m meeting so many new locals and catching up with familiar faces.

Anyway, I’m already looking forward to February markets – I’m planning a rustic Autumn suitable shawl and topping up the featherweight mohair lace scarves that are so popular.

The light lacy scarves are most popular at the moment

Serious Knitting Resumes

Published on January 5, 2014 by conventandchapelLeave a comment

Participating in the local markets with a knitting stall has had somewhat of an effect on my “regular” knitting. In fact, renovations, establishing the garden and relocating permanently whilst working may have also contributed a little over the last year as well.

Anyway, I’m back – forced by the impending Rylstone Kandos Show in February where I have a reputation to maintain, particularly now I am also knitting at the markets.

The markets and my normal knitting provide a good contrast. For the markets, I focus on creating my own patterns which rely on interesting but simple stitches and beautiful and unique yarns or combinations to provide a good result. My main aim is for people to buy the kits with the patterns based on my samples, but finished items are also for sale. A good example is the Drop Stitch Scarf which is a simple stitch pattern combined with striking Noro yarn.

On the other hand, my normal knitting tends to be a little more epic in nature. I favour laceweight shawls or big blankets – no short term projects here.

For the Show I am using Fluidity (or here) as a base. I’m familiar with this pattern, which started life as an 8 ply/DK equivalent but this time I’m using a barely 2ply lace weight silk/merino combination undyed, to give it a natural/antique finish. It’s square but knitted in the round. At some point I will cast off and finish off with a Shetland lace border. I’m also incorporating tiny seed pearl beads into the pattern, so I have high hopes. So far I have a rather modest 1,200 stitches on the needles and anticipate many more before I am done.

Lace (particularly bunched up on circular needles) always looks a bit like steel wool. For now it’s heads down and needles clicking as I head towards the Show.

Market Day

Published on December 14, 2013 by conventandchapelLeave a comment

The branding worked well for us. Customers were happy to trike up a conversation and introduce themselves — The branding worked well for us. Customers were happy to strike up a conversation and introduce themselves

Yesterday was our big day at Rylstone Artisan Markets, which are a little different as the ethos is:

“If you create it, bake it, grow it or make it, and you live locally, you can sell it at our markets”, which is strictly adhered to.

Our table settings focussed on timber fittings including articulated hands, industrial bobbins and an Edwardian swift

Accompanied by my daughter and good friend, we started off allowing for plenty of time to be shown the ropes and set ourselves up. The organisers and fellow stall holders were all very helpful and friendly and we were raring to go by 9am when the markets opened. For the first hour and a half it seemed like we’d be lucky to make a sale but a flux of people a little later meant we ended up more than happy with the outcome. We even managed to get some orders in advance for next markets.

The Noro mitts sold well - both as kits and finished knits — The Noro mitts sold well – both as kits and finished knits

December in Australia is not exactly “knit” weather and it was a really hot day. We had also be warned that it may take over three markets before locals would come up for a chat. However I think that our knitting display was very accessible and it was clear we were from the Convent, which made it really easy for people to start a conversation. We also met plenty of other knitters, spinners and weavers. Gemma with her drop spindle was a good conversation-starter.

A few items sold very well and we managed to sell both kits as well as knitted items – the lace scarves were a real hit and attracted lots of attention. I know that this market had the benefit of people buying for Christmas presents and the next few markets might be a bit slower, but I’m also pretty sure come the colder months we will do very well. Also the markets sometimes co-incide with tourist buses and I think my knits should be a hit with visitors.

Bookmarks for those that thought knitwear was a bit hot for an Australian summer

Anyway, for the first foray into knitting at the markets, I ended up really pleased and am keen to become a regular. Whilst it’s great to sell things, it is even more rewarding being part of the community, speaking to locals and joining in with the other stall holders.

In the meantime, I’m back knitting the more popular items and getting my entry ready for the Rylstone Kandos Show on 22 February.

The markets were buzzing pre-Christmas with the Hall full of stalls and more set up outside.

To Market, To Market …

Published on December 13, 2013December 13, 2013 by conventandchapel1 Comment

It’s been pretty busy the last week or so, with my daughter here, settling in Popcorn and a good friend visiting.

It’s been even more busy given I’m planning my first foray into the local markets tomorrow. I have a feeling my guests think I’m running a sweat shop as they have been helping me prepare and will be there for support on the day as well.

My stall will be selling my knits and knitting kits. I know the weather isn’t all that appropriate for knitting, so for my first appearance I have prepared lace bookmarks and featherweight lace scarves. I also have simple kits for knits for those who would prefer to do it themselves.

A friend is selling pet products at the neighbouring market and I’m trialling dog treats at that stall. Hopefully they should be popular with the locals given Kandos is also known as ‘Dog Town’, with the dog population rumoured to outnumber children.

I’m looking forward to the markets as something new and a great way to meet more locals – both customers and stall holders. There’s always great camaraderie.

Sculptures in the Garden

Published on November 12, 2013 by conventandchapelLeave a comment

For the Kandos Gardens Fair, I was lucky to be provided sculptures from some of the local sculptors. The Kandos/Rylstone district is home to many talented artists and craftspeople and it was wonderful to benefit from and display their wonderful creations.

Firstly, attracting the eye of passers-by was ‘Glitch – Infiltrator Robusta’ by Mr & Mrs Brown, the talented and friendly owners of the lovely Brown Owl Gallery in the main street of Kandos.

Ludwig Micek provided the “birds on bikes” – Balance and On Your Bike – that looked so at home positioned in front of the back wall and Follow Me was stunning and appropriate with a beautiful gold angel towering over the Grotto and visible from many aspects of the Convent garden.

The sculptures attracted much attention and looked very comfortable in their settings. I hope I get the opportunity to showcase more talent in the garden in future.

Kandos Gardens Fair

Published on November 11, 2013 by conventandchapelLeave a comment

Visitors arriving and checking their passports in

Well, we did it. The Convent participated with other gardens in the district for a weekend of open gardens. I have no idea how many people came through but anywhere from 200 – 400. From locals who wanted to see what I’ve done with the building to people in Sydney who just love gardens.

The Chapel greeted visitors for the first time since its makeover

My Sydney friends acted as my volunteers, for which I will be eternally grateful, and it made the job so much easier for me. I met so many lovely people and now know many more locals. People seemed relieved that the Convent was being treated with respect and, if anything, was just going back to what it always should have been. The Chapel was open and did me proud.

My garden was the “newest” in that most of it was very newly planted and was positioned as “in progress”. Many visitors were keen to see it in a few years time, particularly once the new roses have kicked in. Given I’m not a local and have planted things I love and experimented a bit, many commented that I had plants not often seen in the area but which seemed to be thriving and they were going to now try – which was particularly rewarding to hear.

The Cornflowers - "Look at me, look at me!" — The Cornflowers – “Look at me, look at me!”

Whilst most of the roses (particularly the original ones) had finished flowering, some plants held back to show their best for the weekend. I think the cornflowers wanted to own the show and dominated in a few spots (and were much loved and admired). They worked well planted so thickly, which was quite unintended and I had no idea they would grow so high. Monday saw heavy winds and a number have now snapped and fallen, so the weekend was their pinnacle.

The standard Good Samaritan roses chose their time to flower well and were much admired

By some strange fate, the Good Samaritan standards chose the weekend to be in their glory and were much admired. The Fairy roses also chose this to be their weekend. I knew the lovely little wisteria-like plants would be my downfall and had tried to find out their names to no avail. Many people asked what they were and no-one could help, including some seriously knowledgable people. Of course I accidentally stumbled across it straight after – indigofera decor. Bugger!

The name stumped us all - indigofera decor. Apologies to everyone who asked! — The name stumped us all – indigofera decor. Apologies to everyone who asked!

The Lobelias were electric down the side bed

The verandah side garden bed (the pinks, blues and whites with the sparky lobelia at their best) was very popular, but everyone loves to poke through the veggie beds and identify food. The berry bed was a particular hit. Given my garden is so new, people liked to be able to look at all the tags.

All the hard work out the front is not obvious from the street and people were surprised to come inside the gate and see that the front wall is now planted out with the deep sleeper planting beds.

Living Earth's plant stall provided interest and temptation for visitors — Living Earth’s plant stall provided interest and temptation for visitors

Sculptures (which I loved) and a plant stall all added entertainment and interest and we also served sandwiches, cake, tea and coffee, so had lots going on. There are a few learnings for next time, but would be happy to participate again and the Convent seemed to love the attention.

The Fairy Rose also chose to bloom at its best

The Chamomile - which I had thought was lawn chamomile - made an amusing and quirky path border — The Chamomile – which I had thought was lawn chamomile – made an amusing and quirky path border

The Foxgloves on the back wall also chose their time well. Lots more of these and Hollyhocks next year!

Roxy refused to miss a minute whilst Tango decided the bedroom was the best place to be