Crafts, friends and fun in Sheila’s Shed

WHILE staying at her son’s home, Isabel Birch was tasked with decorating some of his handmade wooden scissor-holders.

Brightening them up with paint and stickers, she enjoyed the creative process, and decided to continue the new-found hobby once she got home to Alfredton.

For the 12 years since, Ms Birch has hosted a weekly Sheila’s Shed social craft group, which currently includes her friends Eileen Kelly and Marj Trahar.

Painting, decorating, and wrapping wooden products made by Ms Birch’s son and the Ballarat East Men’s Shed, the trio continue to sell colourful scissor, key and earring holders, Christmas trees, advent calendars and more, all for charity.

“My granddaughter got encephalitis, and the Royal Children’s Hospital saved her life, so we decided we would work to raise money for them,” she said.

“We’ve also donated to charities around Ballarat. At the moment, we have some pieces for sale at the Combined Charities Christmas Card Shop.”

Since Sheila’s Shed began, the crafty ladies have sent $3,340 to the RCH. About $340 from that total was donated to the hospital in 2021 alone.

Their most popular products are the footy-themed scissor holders covered in team stickers. They also donate pieces to charity raffles.

“It’s fantastic to support the hospital, while enjoying our very social mornings, with morning tea and lunch,” Ms Kelly said.

Ms Birch said she loves her Tuesdays filled with creativity, special friendships, meaningful conversations, and maybe even a touch of cheeky gossip now and then.

“It’s great therapy for us, and we have a lot of fun. But everywhere we go, we’re always looking for stickers,” she laughed.