Tracey-Heather Brewster
Heritage Crafts
Hi my name is Heather and I am a Living History enthusiast with Kilgrimol Crafts – Heritage Crafts at Aunty Social.
With Kilgrimol, I aim to increase confidence from learning specialist skills and connecting with other people via a shared interest in Heritage. The sessions originally were supported by Know Your Neighbourhood funding from Historic England.
In the spirit of Heritage Crafts Red List of Endangered Crafts, I shine a light on some of the heritage craft practices that are in danger of vanishing in the Northwest. I hope to inspire the community to think about these crafts and how much they mean for creativity and wellbeing.
I am very lucky in my sessions to host local guest artists and experts who demonstrate the slowly vanishing skills that went into producing our clothing using natural materials.
So far we’ve looked at drop spindle, nalbinding, nettle textiles, natural dyes, weaving, wet felting, leather working, basketry, straw hat plaiting, pigments and block printing.
I have always loved to sew and make things from an early age. My father sails and fishes and we would make items from the local surroundings to assist, making a basket quickly or repairing something on the seashore.
Later when I was in the 2nd year of university I took a practical and theory Art course just outside of Oslo Norway. The folkehøgskole and the local museums fuelled my interest and practical application. I joined the The Vikings re-enactment society in 2010 and have since volunteered at events in the UK, Isle of Mann, Scandinavia and Iceland and regularly take part in events at Murton Park near York and Moorforge Viking Village and Clueran Longhouse in Whithorn. The communities I am part of have helped me with my creativity and wellbeing. I love being part of a group working on projects and I recommend it to everyone.
I love sailing longships when I get a chance. I love rowing and steering a small Faering (four oars) or being part of a larger crew. Part of sailing involves making your kit and repairing suitable historic and practical items.
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