WHILE watching a game of footy in Buninyong, Sonya Sutcliffe turned to her friends, seamstress Christine Barentsen and baker Sharon Develyn to chat about crafts.<\/p>\n
\u201cHave you ever made a quilt?\u201d she asked. Neither of them had but were interested in having a go.<\/p>\n
The trio decided to start a craft group, Makers & Shakers, to be held monthly at the Buninyong Town Hall.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople can bring along their crafts, sit, chat, enjoy chocolate tea and coffee, share ideas that they have, or learn new skills from each other,\u201d Ms Sutcliffe said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have between eight and 10 attendees at the moment, but it\u2019s a no-pressure environment, whether you\u2019re into crochet, you bring along the mending basket to patch a pair of jeans or holes in socks, do some kitting, make jewellery or sew on the machine.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe just sit and chat, laugh, craft, and increase the self-confidence and belief in what we do.\u201d<\/p>\n
Those who\u2019ve tried Makers & Shakers so far – Buninyong residents between 25 and 50 – have developed friendships with neighbours they never knew they had.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are people who have lived in the community for a long time who\u2019ve turned up, met a new person and realised they live in the next block, or have had children at school together,\u201d Ms Sutcliffe said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s been a really nice part of hosting it. The nights are something positive in these times.\u201d<\/p>\n
There is the potential for Makers & Shakers to welcome guest speakers in the future.<\/p>\n
Approximately 30 people can fit safely in the big room of the Buninyong Town Hall. Entry is $5. The next meetings are planned for Thursday, 16 September and Thursday, 21 October.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
WHILE watching a game of footy in Buninyong, Sonya Sutcliffe turned to her friends, seamstress Christine Barentsen and baker Sharon Develyn to chat about crafts. \u201cHave you ever made a quilt?\u201d she asked. Neither of them had but were interested in having a go. The trio decided to start a craft group, Makers & Shakers, […]<\/p>\n