Did you know that crocheting can actually be good for your wellbeing?

Ref: Perspectives in Public Health, April 2020, Pippa Burns, University of Wollongong

We recently had a request for a tea cosy which brought up lots of discussions about traditional household items and crafts coming back into fashion, particularly when we are spending more time at home and trying to be more environmentally friendly.

One question that came up was, “Are tea cosies back in style?”

If so, what colours and styles? Show us a photo of your tea cosy.

We are still meeting every Thursday (except school holidays) from 9:30am onward. We have re-introduced the wearing of masks while inside the hall and continue to sign in using the QR code and clean our hands with sanitiser.

Come and join us for whether you’re an experienced crafter or a beginner. Bring your current project, your mask, your cuppa and morning tea. We are currently not food sharing to avoid any cross contamination as per covid safety plan.

We supply the space, company and the laughs!

We are so excited to be having our very own market day. We have held two stalls at local markets and are ready to ‘give it a go!’

Branxton Lions Club are cooking the BBQ, while coffee and other hot beverages can be purchased from Hunter Valley Roadside Diner.

We will be selling lots of handmade items, made by our expert crafters. We are raising money to build a ramp that will enable access to the hall for everyone.

Please join us on Saturday 19 June 2021 at the Branxton Uniting Church Hall and grounds from 9am to 1pm.

We’ve been busy learning new skills like reading crochet patterns, finishing of some unfinished projects found around the house and problem solving some issues like, “How do you keep Covid from spreading into rural areas like Branxton?”

We have our Market Day approaching soon and have a few different products we’ve been making, along with plants and some home baked goods.

WHAT IS THE WOMEN’S SHED BRANXTON?

We are a social group of women who gather each week to share, create and learn skills and crafts. We currently have people with crochet, sewing, knitting and gardening skills.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

There is no cost to attend our meetings.

WHERE DOES THE FUNDRAISING MONEY GO?

The money we raise from selling some of our handmade items go back into the group. To date, we have upgraded the toilets, purchased cleaning equipment and consumables, first aid kit, gardening supplies and advertising posters, cards, etc.

DO I NEED TO COME EVERY WEEK?

NO, we have people who attend once a fortnight, a month or whenever they have the time. There is no commitment.

WILL I BE COVID SAFE?

We have a QR code for you to sign in with and hand santitizer to clean your hands before and after attending. We also practice social distancing.

AM I TOO YOUNG TO ATTEND?

We have all ages of women attending, many mothers and grandmothers. Babies and toddlers are welcome too. We value to broad range of experiences that everyone brings to the conversation.

CAN I JUST TURN UP?

Yes. We have two rooms to use in the Uniting Church Hall that allow us to socially distance.

There are only three sleeps before the Huntlee Mums Easter Market. We are looking forward to seeing lots of people come out for the morning and support all the community groups involved in the day. We’ve been busy preparing quality handcrafted goods to sell and decorating our table to get into the swing of Easter. Some things you may have seen before at the Twilight Markets but we also have some new and interesting items. We take cash or card.

This Sunday, 9:30am to 1:30pm at 1 Triton St, North Rothbury. See you there!

We have lots of Women Shed members who have great skills and talents, but you really need to see the work of Kim Lundy. She finished her charcoal kookaburra this morning and wow! It’s amazing! Is it any wonder she’s having her own Solo Art Exhibition at The Hunter Artisan Gallery and Cafe in East Maitland from 8 – 25 April.

With a combination of a few green thumbs and a couple of black thumbs, we have our vegetable garden set up with cauliflower, broccoli and beetroot and a whole lot of yuccas in pots. Thank you to the people who kindly donated seeds, seedlings and cuttings. Thank you to Bunnings for getting us started with the new hose reel and garden beds.

Each week we now have an option to be inside for art and craft activities, or outside in the garden.

How lovely it’s been, welcoming new members to our Women’s Shed nearly every week. It’s been wonderful to meet new people, hear their life experiences and see their crafting skills (even when they don’t think they have any). Check out our knitting, crocheting and quilting projects being worked on this week.