Creating a community through craft
WORDS and PHOTOS Joshua Brosnahan
Craft Without Borders is a free monthly community craft class connecting migrants and former refugees with the wider Ōtautahi community through creating, run by three talented wāhine.
Founded by Amber Johnson and currently run alongside crafters Andrea Looise and Darion Oram, these women volunteer their time to their crafting cause and have nurtured a network of like-minded people who attend their monthly sessions.
The trio are busy people – Amber also volunteers at Christchurch Bull Breed Rescue and works in I.T. Darion works in insurance, and Andrea is a nurse and mother. Amber affectionately sings her friends’ praises. She mentions Andrea hasn’t met a “craft she cannot do” and that Darion is a “hardcore weaver” with one loom so large it takes up her garage.
Hosted in Sydenham at the Latvian Community Hall, the Craft Without Borders team offers crafting sessions where all equipment and the sessions themselves are provided free of charge. Latvian House generously provides their space free of charge, which in turn keeps the crafting sessions free. Although the sessions are free, a koha is much appreciated and goes towards the upkeep of Latvian House.
“There aren’t really many crafts out there we haven’t offered! We often run sewing classes, cardboard loom weaving, beginners crochet, and embroidery. But we have also had sessions in kokedama (moss ball planters), basket weaving with tī kōuka leaves, painting, and even life drawing.”
“The idea is that, while craft is a mindful practice, it is also a great way to bond with strangers. It’s a chance to sit and create together. We work on something and help each other out. Being part of Craft Without Borders means you get the joy of meeting new people, as well as going home with a skill learned and something you have created yourself.”
Amber mentions that language has never really been a barrier within the community they’ve fostered.
“You don’t need to speak the same language to craft together. It’s about breaking down barriers between people and giving the wider community a chance to get to know someone who they normally would not connect with.”
The sessions are mutually rewarding, according to Amber.
“It’s great to see people who have never attempted a craft before and are just so proud of themselves afterwards,” she says.
“When we ran our beginners’ crochet class, a participant came back the following month to show us all the toys and beautiful things she had crocheted. Because of her session at Craft Without Borders, she became hooked on crochet! People love coming back because this is their happy place. It’s time they have just for themselves, where they get to meet new people and make something.”
Amber says the team would love other crafters to donate their time to teach skills at a session.
With two more sessions booked in until the end of 2022, embroidery and candle making, Amber looks to the future of the community the three have been instrumental in creating and encourages Avenues readers to join in.
“It really fills our hearts to run these sessions. We have fun, and we have the pleasure of helping people learn more skills and make new friends. It really is magic for the soul!”
To learn more about Craft Without Borders or to volunteer your time, talent, or resources, reach out to the team. They’d love to craft with you.