About Meremade® tutorials.

Anyone can learn to weave. Raranga is a traditional Maori way of weaving. Raranga harakeke is the weaving of flax.  My tutorials are based on methods and techniques, developed  from years of practice. They are suitable for anyone who has basic weaving practice, knows how to collect flax and how to prepare and process ready to use for weaving.

To purchase Meremade® pattern for flax visor.

mailto:https://meremade@flaxweaving.co.nz

Whanganui Artists Open Studios

March 17th- 18th -24th-25th 2012

Flaxweaving with Mere at Whanganui Regional Museum

 Tutor: Mere Keating

Bookings: Community Education Service

 info@wanganuices.org.nz

http://www.wanganuices.org.nz

19 Taupo Quay (06) 345471

Venue: Whanganui Regional Museum

10am-3pm Sunday 18 March

10am-3pm Sunday 25 March

11am-4pm

Price:  $70.00

These workshops are open to beginners and weavers who want learn

something new. Beginners will learn the basics of identifying, collecting,

processing and weaving harakeke/fl ax, make various styles of

kono/bowl and learn how to make a rose or a lily. Advanced weavers

can  learn to make waikawa/large unprocessed all purpose basket or

a hat or a kete.

All materials provided.

Enroll Now Community Education Service CES Weaving Workshop Febuary 2012

Two Sessions

Start:     Sunday Febuary 19th 2012

Finish:  Sunday Febuary  26th   2012

Time 1oam – 4pm

$95.00

Subsidised by Creative Communities Scheme Whanganui

Anyone can learn to weave. Raranga is a traditional Maori way of weaving. Raranga harakeke is the weaving of flax. This workshop teaches the basics of weaving in a safe and warm environment. It provides a time for the self to experience the learning of a traditional art, in a small group. You can learn all the basics of processing and make several pieces over two days. Its a  good way to get away for a weekend and chill out. Learn to make simple items suitable for gifts, or practical items for your home.

Enroll  Now

Call Rosemary 06 345 4717

info@wanganuices.org.nz

http://www.wanganuices.org.nz

Venue:  

 MT ST JOSEPH’S RETREAT CENTRE WHANGANUI

14 HILLSIDE CRESENT WHANGANUI

Mt St Josephs’s Retreat Centre is located on a landscaped site overlooking Whanganui City. It has panoramic  views to Mt Ruapehu and the beautiful Whanganui River. There is a walkway through the gardens and a pa harakeke featuring the Renee Orchiston  harakeke Collection. The centre has accomodation and full facilities available.

Class outline for  workshop 

* To familiarize the learner with the basics of collecting & processing harakeke/flax ready for weaving by practical application.

* An opportunity for those with some skill already to revise.

* Learn the basics of flax weaving

Day one:

Learn to make kono/ four cornered basket. He konai / two cornered basket.

Weave a whariki (small mat)

 Day two:

Learn to make kete and plaited straps.

Learn to make waikawa/ no process storage basket.

Harakeke / flax both prepared, and unprepared will be available.

Learn the Basics

•    Learn how to cut strip and process harakeke/flax.
•    Take your weaving  home.

 Essential things for a weaving kit to bring with you to start with:

• large sheet clear plastic for wrapping flax in

• sharp knife for cutting flax from plant

• A dozen spring clothes pegs

• A rigid handle putty knife

• Sharp scissors

• med crochet hook

• Feathers or paua pieces for decorating.

           

Tutor Mere Keating

                                                              Tutor: Mere Keating

Anyone can learn to weave. Raranga is a traditional Maori way of weaving. Raranga harakeke is the weaving of flax. This workshop teaches the basics of weaving in a safe and warm environment.

It provides a time for the self to experience the learning of a traditional art, in a small group. You can learn all the basics of processing and make several pieces over two days. Its a  good way to get away for a weekend and chill out.

Learn to make simple items, for gifts or for your home.

                                       

A Weaving workshop can be easily organised with a group of friends or work colleagues. This could be a two day Sat- Sun or just one day, 10am -4pm.

Arangements can be made for other options.  meremade@flaxweaving.co.nz

Venue

MT ST JOSEPH’S RETREAT CENTRE WHANGANUi

14 HILLSIDE CRESENT WHANGANUI

Mt St Josephs’s Retreat Centre is located on a landscaped site overlooking Whanganui City. It has panoramic  views to Mt Ruapehu and the beautiful Whanganui River. There is a walkway through the gardens and a pa harakeke featuring the Renee Orchiston  harakeke Collection.

The centre has  full facilities and overnight  accomodation is  available.

Meremade Workshop outline:

Aims

* To familiarize the learner with the basics of collecting & processing harakeke/flax ready for weaving by practical application.

* An opportunity for those with some skill already to revise. You can learn to make a hat/potae.

* Learn the basics of flax weaving

Learn to make kono/ four cornered basket. He kono / two cornered basket.

You can learn  to make unique gift baskets. Learn to make kete and plaited straps. Learn to make waikawa/ no process storage basket. Learn to make puti puti/roses ,tulips or lily.

Harakeke / flax both prepared, and unprepared will be available.

 Learn the Basics

•    Learn about collecting harakeke and the different varieties.
•    Learn how to cut strip and process harakeke/flax.
•    Take your weaving  home.

 Essential things for a weaving kit to bring with you to start with:

• large sheet clear plastic for wrapping flax in

• sharp knife for cutting flax from plant

• A dozen spring clothes pegs

• A rigid handle putty knife {traditionally a mussell shell is used

• Sharp scissors

• large crochet hook

• large needle

• Feathers or paua pieces for decorating

 Fees per person:

12hr workshop over two full days$160.00

Enquiries: meremade@flaxweaving.co.nz

or  register your  interest in having a  workshop in comment box .

About Meremade tutorials.

Anyone can learn to weave. Raranga is a traditional Maori way of weaving. Raranga harakeke is the weaving of flax.  My tutorials are based on methods and techniques, developed  from years of practice. They are suitable for anyone who has basic weaving practice, knows how to collect flax and how to prepare and process ready to use for weaving.

To purchase Meremade® pattern for flax visor.

mailto:https://meremade@flaxweaving.co.nz

Two Sessions

Start:     Sunday Febuary 19th 2012

Finish:  Sunday Febuary  26th   2012

 Time 11am – 4pm

$95.00

Subsidised by Creative Communities Scheme Whanganui

Anyone can learn to weave. Raranga is a traditional Maori way of weaving. Raranga harakeke is the weaving of flax. This workshop teaches the basics of weaving in a safe and warm environment. It provides a time for the self to experience the learning of a traditional art, in a small group. You can learn all the basics of processing and make several pieces over two days. Its a  good way to get away for a weekend and chill out. Learn to make simple items suitable for gifts, or practical items for your home.

Enroll  Now

Call Rosemary 06 345 4717  

info@wanganuices.org.nz

 http://www.wanganuices.org.nz 

Venue:  

 MT ST JOSEPH’S RETREAT CENTRE WHANGANUI

14 HILLSIDE CRESENT WHANGANUI

Mt St Josephs’s Retreat Centre is located on a landscaped site overlooking Whanganui City. It has panoramic  views to Mt Ruapehu and the beautiful Whanganui River. There is a walkway through the gardens and a pa harakeke featuring the Renee Orchiston  harakeke Collection. The centre has accomodation and full facilities available.

Class outline for  workshop 

* To familiarize the learner with the basics of collecting & processing harakeke/flax ready for weaving by practical application.

 * An opportunity for those with some skill already to revise. 

 * Learn the basics of flax weaving

Day one:

Learn to make kono/ four cornered basket. He konai / two cornered basket.

Weave a whariki (small mat) 

 Day two:

Learn to make kete and plaited straps.

 Learn to make waikawa/ no process storage basket.

Harakeke / flax both prepared, and unprepared will be available.

Learn the Basics

•    Learn how to cut strip and process harakeke/flax.
•    Take your weaving  home.

 Essential things for a weaving kit to bring with you to start with:

• large sheet clear plastic for wrapping flax in

• sharp knife for cutting flax from plant

• A dozen spring clothes pegs

 • A rigid handle putty knife

• Sharp scissors

 • med crochet hook

• Feathers or paua pieces for decorating.

           

Tutor Mere Keating

Learn to weave for yourself -  Flax Weaving 

 Email: meremade@flaxweaving.co.nz

Click here for more detail

                                                              Tutor: Mere Keating

Anyone can learn to weave. Raranga is a traditional Maori way of weaving. Raranga harakeke is the weaving of flax. This workshop teaches the basics of weaving in a safe and warm environment.

It provides a time for the self to experience the learning of a traditional art, in a small group. You can learn all the basics of processing and make several pieces over two days. Its a  good way to get away for a weekend and chill out.

Learn to make simple items, for gifts or for your home.

A Weaving workshop can be easily organised with a group of friends or work colleagues. This could be a two day Sat- Sun or just one day, 10am -4pm.

Arangements can be made for other options.  meremade@flaxweaving.co.nz

Venue

MT ST JOSEPH’S RETREAT CENTRE WHANGANUi

14 HILLSIDE CRESENT WHANGANUI

Mt St Josephs’s Retreat Centre is located on a landscaped site overlooking Whanganui City. It has panoramic  views to Mt Ruapehu and the beautiful Whanganui River. There is a walkway through the gardens and a pa harakeke featuring the Renee Orchiston  harakeke Collection.

The centre has  full facilities and overnight  accomodation is  available.

Meremade Workshop outline:

Aims

* To familiarize the learner with the basics of collecting & processing harakeke/flax ready for weaving by practical application.

* An opportunity for those with some skill already to revise. You can learn to make a hat/potae.

* Learn the basics of flax weaving

Learn to make kono/ four cornered basket. He kono / two cornered basket.

You can learn  to make unique gift baskets. Learn to make kete and plaited straps. Learn to make waikawa/ no process storage basket. Learn to make puti puti/roses ,tulips or lily.

Harakeke / flax both prepared, and unprepared will be available.

 Learn the Basics

•    Learn about collecting harakeke and the different varieties.
•    Learn how to cut strip and process harakeke/flax.
•    Take your weaving  home.

 Essential things for a weaving kit to bring with you to start with:

• large sheet clear plastic for wrapping flax in

• sharp knife for cutting flax from plant

• A dozen spring clothes pegs

• A rigid handle putty knife {traditionally a mussell shell is used

• Sharp scissors

• large crochet hook

• large needle

• Feathers or paua pieces for decorating

 Fees per person:

12hr workshop over two full days$160.00

Enquiries: meremade@flaxweaving.co.nz

or  register your  interest in having a  workshop in comment box .

Collecting flax in Sydney is something of a mission, especially when its been raining cats and dogs for three weeks. Finally the sun comes out and before the next downpour we pick flax.

Four weavers attended a small workshop at Dulwich Hill. They made rourou, kono, waikawa and whariki. It was lovely korero about being Maori in Australia and the hunger to learn and know about raranga harakeke and te reo.

Its the Biennale in Sydney until August. Its all free and if you have time well worth the effort to go to the many exhibitions  on at the MCA & Cockatoo Island,Opera House Botanic Gardens , Artspace and Art gallery  NSW.

 Children at Dulwich Hill School in Sydney learnt  about Maori Flax Weaving. It was Indigenous week and there were a number of Aboriginal activities taking place too. The children were very interested and enthusiastic so after talk and discussion we set about weaving  snakes,  which as you see in the pictures were worn as headbands. It was a lot of fun and it was great to be able to pass on my knowledge about raranga harakeke. One hundred and fifty, children took part in the 40min workshops over two days. The flax was collected locally. The school is considering planting their own ” pa harakeke” flax garden in the future.

"snakes alive"

 Dulwich Hill School Ethos

The Values which guide our work are:

Care, Learning, Responsibility, Belonging, Respect, Action, Equity, Balance, Empowerment.

The Essential Competencies we aim to develop in every child are:

Social Responsibility, Metacognition, Critical Thinking, Organising, Communicating

Pacific Princess

In May 2010, I  attended a series of workshops at Parramatta Artists Studio with  artists Maureen Lander and Keren Ruki.

We made gods eye and small mats and rourou/ small food basket. I learned some new weaving techniques and was introduced to the idea of weaving non traditional materials. We were interviewed each day to contribute to the Stories from across the Sea. Items made were added to the ParraMATariki Exhibition.

The exhibition opens on Friday June 4th to the 3rd September and will herald the rising of the Pleiades cluster of stars (Matariki) that mark the beginning of the new year in the southern hemisphere. It will feature a large festive installation and include small mat samples made by participants in the workshops.

I was not present for the opening but Lauren Peri was and she wrote to me:

“”The opening of the Parramatariki went great. the little studio was packed wall to wall, and everyone was happy and proud of what was happening. There was an aboriginal smoking ceremony at the start, a cleansing thing (burning of green gum leaves in a bucket, carried from room to room). Then the aboriginal elder acknowledged us and welcomed us to  their ‘country’ their piece of land, stating his tribe, speaking for his people. The mayor said his thing and then Kiri, Keren and Maureen spoke, thanking different ones. One of the local kaumatuas there spoke in maori for us and it kind of finished the speeches off. There was quite a few islanders there, it was just a really great atmosphere, one of love – bringing us closer to home and each other – like one big whanau! thats what it was like! 
The displays looked fantastic and to think it all started out humbly in that room in the town hall. It had the right feeling too, which was really noticeable. Its started something in me, its a bit exciting when youre weaving away and it takes shape and its beautiful and maori!.” 

  

Maureen Lander is a multi-media installation artist who has exhibited locally, nationally and internationally since 1986.  Since her retirement in 2007 she has continued to make and exhibit her artwork, drawing inspiration from Maori feather and fibre arts and from the contexts in which she makes her installations. 

 

 Keren Ruki is a Sydney-based artist of Maori and European descent. Her tribal affiliations are to Ngati Maniapoto, Tuwharetoa and Ngati Mahanga. Keren has lived in Australia since 1975, and has a history of involvement with Pacific arts and cultural practices in NSW.   Keren’s practice as an artist stems from the weaving traditions of her people. In 2004 Keren was recipient of the NSW Ministry for the Arts Western Sydney Artist’s Fellowship for which she created a Trans-Tasman Kahu kuri (Maori dog skin Cloak). She is currently undertaking a Masters in Museums and Collections at ANU.