Newsletter: May 2018

MAY 2018 VOL. 4
MACG NEWS

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Autumn Edition Newsletter

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President's Report:

By Anita
The first MACG Fair for the year is over, along with the Wood Expo. Although we do not know all the details yet, as we are still to receive some invoices for all the expenses incurred in holding the Fair and the Woodcrafters participation in the Wood Expo, we will be making a profit. The first two days of the fair seemed to be very slow and it was not until the third day that sales appeared to pick up. However, it turns out that the second day was the best day for sales. Unfortunately the weather was too warm for the sale of many winter items but it may be that, with the arrival of the colder days and nights, these and other items may be sold in the Gallery.
Thanks to Colleen’s grant we were able to purchase some folding tables and with the addition of the tables from the Community Centre we had sufficient and did not have to borrow some from at least two other community groups in town. We will have to purchase some additional card tables before the next Fair to fill in some spaces between tables as the additional tables will be required to accommodate the woodcrafter’s items for sale at the Christmas Fair.
We will be discussing, as usual, after a MACG activity, the pros and cons of the event and see if we can improve anything.
We will shortly be purchasing a card stand using some of the money bequeathed to MACG by the late Kathleen Dixon. It was thought by the Management Committee that this would be appropriate as Kathleen made cards for sale in the Gallery. Also, we hope, from the remainder of the grant money, to purchase some more glass shelving for the gallery which will better display the beautiful glass work produced by our members. The back room in the Gallery looks so clean and functional as it now has space for all the items required for the Gallery.
Just a reminder to all that we ask all contributors to the Fairs and Gallery to round off all your prices to the nearest fifty cents or dollar. This makes it easier for the roster person and they do not have to continually close the Gallery and seek sufficient change.
The Maleny Agricultural Show is to be held on the 1st and 2nd June 2018. I will, via the Management Committee Meeting, be asking for volunteers to set up the front area of the workshop so we can display articles made by the various groups who use the workshop. We will also have a table available if any members wish to try and sell some of their items. If so, then we will require a roster for those members to be on cash and wrap during the days of the Agricultural Show. We will be having demonstrations by some group members, with members of the public always interested in these activities. If you enter the showground during the Agricultural Show you will be required to pay an entry fee.
I usually start off the newsletter with a thank you to all who participated in the latest MACG event. Instead I have left it to last. There are, as usual, too many to name but I wish to thank in particular those who put in six days of hard work to help make the Fair a success. Unfortunately, for the first time ever, we commenced the Fair with vacancies on both the Cash and Wrap and Kitchen rosters. These were filled by some members who came in and rostered themselves on even though they did not have any items for sale.
In particular, I would like to thank the Treasury Team who had to be there all the open days, in addition to setting up before the Fair, and even now, are still working to finalise the results for us.

Gallery Director's Report:
By Pricillia
April saw the best sales so far for this year so things are looking up at last.
We would like to thank you for your patience whilst the back room was being refurbished. I am sure you will all agree that it is so much better than before. Please have a look in the drawers to see where things are when you are on shift.
We do still have the 'TAKE HOME' box at the end of the bench and it is full to overflowing so if any of the items are yours please take them home as they will be destroyed at the end of the month if still there.
As we have more people than ever selling in the gallery please be aware of the number of goods you are bringing in to display. Some people may need to reduce their stock and come to the gallery more often to check sales and replace items. We need to have room for everyone.
Another reminder that if you need to do a swap for a shift first of all try people who do the same day of the week as you eg if your shift is a Monday morning try to swap with someone else who does a Monday morning. If you can find no one then please contact me. If you know a month or more in advance that you will be unable to do your shift contact Lorraine.
Please also remember that we have a new Gallery Treasurer who is doing a great job, but please make a special effort to fill out the sales sheets correctly when on shift to make her job a little easier.
Many thanks.

Porcelain Group Report:
By Moya
Many of our members are away on holidays and others have been suffering from different ailments at this time of year.
There were only some who were able to place items in the Fair and hope that it was a great success for everyone from all groups.
Our group is small but very enthusiastic and would love more members to join our relaxed happy sessions on Wednesday afternoons.

Woodcrafters Group Report:
By Ray
The Barung Wood Show is now history. The Woodies had a really great weekend. Lots of people through the sales room with excellent sales. We had demonstrations going all the time with a great deal of interest from the public, both young and old, and have the possibility of some new members as well. We also had a request from a gentleman, Samuel Tam, who is working with the less fortunate in Papua New Guinea who is teaching them life skills to enable them to earn a living. We are therefore looking for donations of any hand tools you may have that and no longer need, being suitable for either steel or wood working. I will arrange for these to be sent to Sam. Please call me, Ray, or drop them into the Workshop on a Friday morning 9am to noon.
The first two photos are of the second prize in the Wootha Competition, the second photo shows the detail in the bowl edge.. Look closely and you can see there is a series of linked stars. Some of our woodies had a workshop with the carver responsible for this carving “ Zina Burliou”. The third photo is of our sales room during a quiet period because when it was busy there was no time for photos. The fourth photo is of the Wootha First Prize. The fifth photo shows the detail in the prize winning piece of work, requiring remarkable workmanship, where the woodcrafter has made red cedar look like old plaited leather.

Quilters Group Report:
By Sandy
Thank you to all our members who work tirelessly making our Fair a success. Also a big thank you to those who handcrafted lots of lovely items to sell.
Congratulations to Kerry Nieper on winning the 'Viewers Choice' at the recent Quota Club Quilt Show. Her quilt 'Lancaster & Beyond' has now won many awards. Well done Kerry.
Some of our members travelled by bus to the Quilt Connect Show held in Brisbane where a variety of quilts were on show and could be enjoyed by all who viewed them. After visiting the Quilt Connect Show they visited the Quilters & Embroidery Store at Salisbury before travelling back to Maleny. Oh Happy Days!

Spinners & Weavers Group Report:
By Robyn
The last month has been busy with preparations for the Fair, rosters and demonstrating at the Fair, and our usual “fun time” working on our projects – usually more than one or two on the go at any time – one member admitting to allowing herself no more than 5 projects on the go, at the same time, and having to finish one of them before allowing herself to start a new one – something we all admitted to being guilty of…
Discussions (and planning) are underway for our Papermaking Workshop which will probably be held in July or August this year. Carolyna is coordinating everything and we will work with her to help in whatever way we can as there is a lot of interest in this workshop. We will be using various ingredients including vegetation from our gardens, fibres and fleece and it will be exciting to see what we create on the day.
• This month’s saying: When your knitting scares you, when you dread picking it up and it stares at you from over where you threw it last, you’re either getting it very very wrong, or very very right indeed.

Clay Workers Group Report:
By June
Clay Workers enjoyed an inspirational visit to Janna Pameijer’s garden and workshop on Thursday 10th May. The invitation followed a workshop she gave us the week before. It was most interesting to see the source of her inspiration, her studio in the mountains of Curramore with its views, and the work she does there.
It was encouraging to see pottery featuring well in the recent May show, and great that some of our newer members were represented. Sales were very satisfactory, so I hope there were some happy mothers out there who received gifts ranging from birds, native animals, decorative plates, plant holders and very much more.

Glass Group Report:
By Colleen
The Fair has come and gone. Congratulations to Claire and her team for their commitment to bring it all together. I am sure you all agree it was very well done. Thanks to everyone who helped… not forgetting all those who brought in their bits and pieces to sell.
What now? Time to think about what to do for the next Fair? Group workshops can always be something to look forward to as well.
It seems such a long time till November but with a quilt show before then it will be a busy time ahead for everyone. After all the wet weather we had I hope you find some time to sit in the beautiful sunshine we are currently experiencing and do something crafty. And if you want to check out what we do with glass come and see us on Thursday afternoons.

Fine Art Group Report:
By Megan
What a lovely fair we had this year, great weather and lots of events around town created a lovely buzz for Maleny. Our thanks to Claire and her dedicated team who organized a wonderful event. Thanks also to all of those from our group who contributed work and time over the weekend. For the first time we had our art on the stage area, our new panels and lights helped to show off our art to great advantage. Thank you Anna Casey for organizing us.
Our 'Artist of the Month', is Peter. Please take time, when you are at the workshop, to stop and admire Peter’s amazing art.

MACG AUTUMN FAIR REPORT:
Any such event could not happen without our members contribution in so many ways. As this fair co-ordinator I wish to thank you. I especially wish to make comment about two aspects, both of which brought many positive comments from our customers. The presentation of the artwork was wonderful and secondly the members who volunteered their time to display their hand making skills. This aspect helps to promote our theme of “Hand Made in Maleny” I appreciate that some change in both the positioning and lighting for these members needs to considered.
I believe that all members do benefit from the contibution of many members. I understand and appreciate the members who contacted me for various reasons for not contributing.
Fair sales over the week end were hard to assess, but having now received the fair interim results it appears our results were excellent and compared favourably with last May's fair results. My understanding is that the Woodies had a successful week end as well at the Wood Expo.
One of our lucky members Jan Hegarty won the beautiful quilt that was raffled I am happy for any member who wishes to have an input with your comments about any aspect of the fair organisation that would improve it overall. Please use the macgatmaleny@gmail.com to comment. The Christmas Fair seems a long way away but, input now is better for consideration.
To thank all is impossible, as I may leave someone out.