From glassblowing to wool spinning, Viking knitting to woodturning, T-shirt printing to having a go at the pottery wheel, there must be something for everyone in August Craft Month.
Highlighting the vibrant local craft scene across the island of Ireland in all its forms, from traditional to contemporary, the month provides unique opportunities for people to learn about, make, see, and buy craft.
Supported by Design & Crafts Council Ireland and Craft NI, there is a packed itinerary of over 300 events, taking place across every country in Ireland.
The event celebrates our rich craft heritage, including a focus on those artisans who are keeping ancient traditions alive. One such artist, who is involved in several August Craft Month events, is Ruth Osborne.
The Strangford textile artist and printmaker uses the historic process of nature printing and the heritage crafts of natural dying and pigment making to create original artworks on Irish linen.
“I’ve been taking part in craft month over the last decade. It’s a great initiative for bringing makers from across the whole of the island of Ireland together, to showcase skills, raise awareness about heritage crafts, and to pass those on to different generations,” says Ruth.
“Crafts are such an important part of Irish history and culture. I am inspired by the landscape and flora of Ireland, the changing seasons, Irish folklore and heritage. A big part of my art is working on the heritage textile of Irish linen, which goes back to centuries where small farms produced flax.”
Ruth will be holding workshops on nature printing and an introduction to natural dying using locally foraged plants to create colour, as well as a joint exploring nature workshop with The Clay Project Studio in Newcastle.
“My interest in working with natural plant material for mark-making and print naturally led to thinking about what the potential is to use plants in a more holistic way - thinking about the colours that could be extracted from them.
“Commercially produced synthetic printing inks and dyes contain lots of chemicals, so it’s a more sustainable way to work.”
Ruth is especially excited to forage what is considered waste by others - reeds being cleared by farming in the area or bark from fallen trees.
There’s no end to what you can create, as long as you’re doing it in a responsible way
— Ruth Osborne
“It’s about responding to what’s happening in the landscape, rather than taking from it,” adds Ruth, keen to stress the importance of following the Woodland Trust guidelines when it comes to foraging.
In terms of colours, Ruth points out there is much more to Irish nature than yellows, beiges and browns.
“Tree bark, for me, is one that’s really fascinating in terms of the colors that yield. You can get a beautiful range of blush pinks and peaches from rowan, birch and hazel bark.
“In a few weeks, we’re going to have elderberries, from which you can make a gorgeous purple ink.”
She is also excited about using oak galls – one of our most historical inks, used in the Book of Kells.
“There’s no end to what you can create, as long as you’re doing it in a responsible way,” enthuses Ruth, who takes much inspiration from the sea and shoreline of Strangford Lough.
“It’s such a fascinating area, even in terms of the changing light and you’ve got sort of woodlands and meadow and marsh and shoreline, with such diverse habitats that just offer lots of inspiration.
“After it’s safe to forage, I would press, dry and flatten seaweed that is washed ashore, before printing and creating some beautiful impressions.
Ruth also works as an artist-in-residence across the South Eastern Health Trust with the charity Arts Care and sees the benefit of art and craft to mental health.
“Art can provide a distraction, but it can also broaden your outlook as well,” says Ruth.
“The beauty about August Craft Month is that it’s open to all - from someone who’s just developed an interest, or has always had a curiosity about trying something new, or even a seasoned craft practitioner. It’s an opportunity to relax and explore your creativity.”
As part of the Creative Peninsula Festival, Ruth will join with a host of other craft makers and musicians across North Down for the annual Twilight Market and Arts Night on August 2 in Conway Square, Newtownards, where she will be selling her work.
Her work can be viewed in Ards Visitor Information Centre from August 2-12, in Curlew/Kuovi: Finland Exchange Exhibition, an exhibition highlighting the British Council funded exchange programme in which she took part in with Finnish artist Pirjo Seddiki.
“It was a really interesting collaboration out of which we produced a series of different textile pieces bringing together motifs from both of our respective works,” says Ruth.
FESTIVAL PICKS
CraftFest at Castle Ward, Strangford, August 3-4
Explore an array of handmade crafts from talented local artists, designers, and artisans. Live music and delicious food will also be on offer.
Bangor Art Tour and Tipple, Court House Bangor, Boom Studios, Kate Whiteman Gallery, August 7
A walking tour of Bangor to visit three creative spaces where you can meet the makers and hear about the exhibitions, enjoying a tipple along the way.
Making a Ceramic Bird with Sharon Regan, 34 High Street, Donaghadee, August 8
Join Sharon Regan in her garden where we will create ceramic birds from clay and impress foliage and texture upon the surface of the clay. Coloured slip can then be applied to decorate the birds before they are fired.
Blossom and Bloom with Feltmakers North Guild, Lisburn City Library, August 16
Enjoy learning about wet felting, a fun and hands-on textile craft combining wool fibres, water and friction to create unique and beautiful pieces.
Make a Kinetic Mobile by hand , Flax-Lab Arts Studios, North Belfast, August 20
Using laser-cut materials, this is designed to be a fun and experimental session, where you’ll take home your own completed mobile.
Sculpt a Sea Swimmer, Flowerfield Arts Centre, Portstewart, August 23
Join artist Fiona Shannon in sculpting your very own Sea swimmer bust inspired by the beauty of the ocean. This workshop is suitable for all abilities and is an ideal gift for any intrepid ocean swimmer.
Play With Clay - Summer Seaside, Strule Arts Centre, Omagh, August 24
Artist Shauna McCann will invite children to create their own dreamy seaside clay scene. From underwater sea creatures to boats and sunsets, a lovely imaginative workshop that will have the creative juices flowing. Kids can also take turns making a pot on the wheel.
