A small group of creative women joined forces and talents to form Make It Tenterfield Inc. almost five years ago.
With diverse backgrounds from business and life experiences, they each had a strong desire to support each other and the local community’s artisans utmost in their goals. Initial generous help from a local businessman with free rental in a large shared central shop space. allowed for a quick start in this new venture.
This not-for-profit has been thriving and has achieved many successes with a fundraising art auction for purchase of equipment for Rural Fire Brigades during the bushfires and hay bale relief during drought. Successful NSW Government grant funding applications have also enabled Make It Tenterfield to conduct many free creative workshops for the local community.
The current over 55s EVOKE journey of workshops in the neighbouring townships of Liston and Drake, as well as Tenterfield has been so well received and provided friendships in rural areas through the sharing of skills old and new. The EVOKE Art Exhibition 2023 showcasing this work was a resounding success and planning is underway for September’s EVOKE 2024 exhibition in Tenterfield.
Two years of operation from their new location at 340 Rouse Street has brought fantastic success to the Make It team. Open 7 days/week with a rostered staff of volunteers selling unique art and crafts from over 20 Makers/Artists ensures a vibrant and changing kaleidoscope of work.
Homemade jams,relishes and dried fruits, blended teas; hand woven, crocheted & knitted garments; eco dyed, refashioned, wearable art garments; leatherwork,papercraft,printed Tshirts, natural soap, floor rugs, art dolls and toys, ceramics, homewares, jewellery, original wall art and framed photography are among the large selection available.
The Make It shop also has an instore clothing & textile repair café popular among the locals. Natural fibre wool sales, haberdashery supplies and even a knife and scissor sharpening service top off the extras available. Seasonal fresh flower bunches from local gardens are always a beautiful addition to the front of store offerings.
Continuing support from visiting tourists and community alike help Make It keep alive the value of locally handcrafted goods and the support of Australian Made wares. This delightful retail space and its friendly Makers welcome visitors with a smile, local information and gift suggestions.
The autumn leaves bring a colourful change to the area from March and the Sculpture Walk beside Tenterfield Creek in town is well worth a visit. This is another Make It Tenterfield Inc. vision brought to completion with funding by the Australian Government (National Recovery and Resilience Agency). The sculptures were designed in consultation with five community groups and information boards at each provide a historical insight to their importance in Tenterfield’s history. The walk begins at Horse in Miles Street and ends at Speaking Poles in Millbrook Park. Another great reason to put Make It Tenterfield on your ‘must visit’ list when travelling to the Northern Tablelands!
Check out their website calendar and social media for upcoming workshop information. A little background on the individual Makers and photos of their work is also featured on the website www.makeittenterfield.com.au. You can also see more on Facebook and Instagram.
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