Sharp enough to shave with

craft-fair-myles-kirkman-shaves-steve-kirkman-his-dad-of-deloraine

DECEMBER 2016 | Chere Kenyon

THE TASMANIAN Craft Fair proved, once again, it was alive and kicking with a fascinating range of new exhibitors that included products such as the PeacePods - funeral caskets owned and designed by Mea Souris; made of environmentally friendly recycled paper and plywood.

Fashioned like a round tube they certainly do not evoke images of death, but rather draw one in to touch them.

“There is no affection for a coffin. But these PeacePods are more calming and evoke a serene feeling,” stated Mea. “There is no cringe factor.”

A celebrant for about 40 years, she has always felt that funerals should be more positive; leaving loved ones with a better feeling.

Ideal to order in advance, “you can decorate or paint [the Pods] the colours you want… [and] use calligraphy or collage”.

“They can have gold leaf or poems. The sky is the limit,” she added.

It means you can involve yourself in the process of enhancing your Pod as much, or as little, as you wish.  Or your family or friends could decorate it, making it more meaningful.

Another intriguing exhibitor was Myles Kirkman, an emerging designer of knives who is only 18 years of age.

Myles said, “Three years ago, in the shed one day, I whittled wood into a knife and Dad suggested I make a real knife.”

What began as a school project is now an exciting business opportunity of selling his knives at Elemental Artspace in Deloraine All Goods in Launceston, Devonport and the Northern Territory.

Myles is also conscious of not wasting our precious resources, while supporting local businesses.

“We use all locally sourced Tasmanian timbers for the knife handles. One person makes guitars and we get offcuts from him. Then offcuts from the knives are used to make wooden keyrings,” he shared.

An old favourite, Sheffield’s World of Marbles was once again wowing audiences with  artisan Jim Mitchell firing up a burner to craft marbles onsite.

Taking a clear rod of glass, he applied decorations, twisted and covered it with black glass; melting it into blends which would become the marble.

Jan Clay, who runs the 12-year-old business, creates glass sculptures as well.

“We are the only shop in Australia to specialise in art glass marbles,” he added.

In addition his son, Shasa Bolton, is its kinetic sculpture artist; interestingly extending their range of marble and glass artefacts.

You can contact each of the exhibitors for more information about their respective crafts.

Mea Souris via her website www.peacepod.net.

Myles Kirkman via www.kirkmanknives.com.

World of Marbles via www.worldofmarbles.com.au.

Photo | Mike Moores