Category: Uncategorized

  • CTANZ 2027

    As many of you will know, next year the Costume and Textiles symposium will be held on the West Coast. Here are some more details of what to expect. Although plans are still at an early stage and things might change we are planning to not only have talks and presentations but also a mini…

  • A visit North – part two

    After the successful symposium in Whanganui we took a road trip that brought us close to volcanoes, isolated hamlets, incredible scenery, amazing food, and lots of art and craft. From Whanganui the road to New Plymouth – at least, the route we took – goes along the coast. Along the way are historic settlements, some…

  • Thank you

    Dear readers-of-the-blog, Thank you so much for your thoughts on the weekly newsletter. It is good to have had so many respond with suggestions and ideas so I shall ponder those for a little while as things migrate over to a new system. One idea that will help generate more stories and connections is to…

  • A change for the blog

    Over the next few weeks there will be some changes for the blog. The blog takes a long time to write each week so I am considering the options in producing it. Does it go out every two weeks, or does it remain a weekly occurrence? Should it be shorter, or come out once a…

  • An ANZAC Day tribute

    It is ANZAC Day today; a time to remember the Australia and New Zealand Army Corps and those who perished in the landings at Gallipoli in World War One, and by extension all those who have served and returned home or died in conflicts. The shop window of Ballantynes in Christchurch commemorates the day with…

  • Open Studios 2026

    This weekend is Open Studios across Māwhera Greymouth, organised by the Left Bank Art Gallery. Each year artists open their studios and galleries for the public to visit. It is an interesting way to spend time, for both the visitors and the artists, and there are lots of great conversations to be had during the…

  • Fire-fighting in Japan

    During the Edo Period (1600s to the mid-19th Century) Japan enjoyed peace and prosperity. This was reflected in fire-fighters’ protective clothing. Utilitarian clothes that protected the wearer while they were putting out the fires that could easily spread across the tightly-packed wooden buildings of towns and cities were an important part of a fire fighter’s…

  • New books in the library

    Over the last few weeks some new publications have come into the library. The Web was a quarterly journal that was produced by the New Zealand Spinning, Weaving and Wool-crafts Society from the 1970s through to the 1980s. The library already has a set of The Web but an addition has just come in that…

  • Ideas wanted

    As regular readers of the blog will know, the Textile Trust, Aotearoa is a new charitable organisation that has been set-up on the West Coast of the South Island of New Zealand to promote textiles through education, training and appreciation. The Textile Trust was established in July 2025 and our small team has just begun…

  • Visitors to the studio

    Some recent visitors to the studio in Māwhera Greymouth have prompted a change on the website. I get to meet many interesting people in the studio. Visitors look through the windows and come in, intrigued by the displays and the weaving equipment. Lots of those visitors are creative people and so I have started a…