WORKSHOP | Sustainable Statement Jewellery | Michelle Grimston

Saturday 18 October 2025 | 11:30am – 1:00pm

Location | The Vault, Fyshwick ACT 2609

Cost | General Public Ticket $85 | Craft + Design Canberra Member Ticket $50

In this workshop you’ll explore how it’s possible to honour the history and stories in your worn-out clothing and textiles, while transforming them into statement wearable pieces that you can continue to carry with you.

You’ll learn how to deconstruct worn and discarded textiles and explore processes of twining, coiling, stitching and incorporating found objects to transform them into statement jewellery pieces including necklaces, brooches and bangles. You can expect to learn and try each of these different processes, leaving with a wide range of inspiration to continue creating at home.

These processes are perfect for reimagining items that have been much loved and worn but are no longer wearable. You’re encouraged to bring along clothing or textile items of your own that have some special meaning to you - a favourite old shirt, your baby’s first onesie, or anything else you fancy. However, there will be plenty of materials on hand to play with, so don’t worry if you haven’t got anything to bring!

What you'll be doing:

· Stitching

· Twining fabric

· Creating Sustainable Statement Jewellery

What you'll need to bring:

· All materials are provided.

· Participants are also encouraged to bring their own fabrics.

This workshop is best suited for:

· Accessible workshop, all skill levels.

About the artist:

Michele Grimston is a visual artist and community cultural development practitioner based on Ngunnawal Country in the ACT. She completed her honours degree in textiles at the Australian National University School of Art in 2009 and in 2014, she graduated with a Masters in Community Cultural Development from the Victorian College of the Arts.

She has exhibited in Canberra, Melbourne, Perth and Canada and her work is held in the collection of Geoscience Australia. Michele has presented participative, community engaged works through Rebus and You Are Here and has facilitated large scale collaborative projects as artist in residence multiple schools and Early Learning Centres.

She is interested in the ritual of creating slowly and sustainably – exploring ways that investing our time, attention and care in things can create objects of great meaning and value. She is also interested in the value of these laborious creative processes themselves and their role in our personal, spiritual and social wellbeing.

Accessibility at the venue:

· The Vault has wheelchair access via a roller door.

· We are an LGBTIAQ+ friendly venue.

· If you have any specific requests, please email programs@craftanddesigncanberra.org.

Support Artists and Learn from the Best

Craft + Design Canberra workshops provide an opportunity for audiences to learn from the unique skillsets of our members: individuals who are highly regarded in their fields as artists, designers, and craftspeople.

Craft + Design Canberra prides itself on paying fair rates of pay to our artists as recommended by NAVA (the National Association for the Visual Artists). Our artists are the best in their fields and deserve fair remuneration. Audiences attending our activities learn from the best.

Craft + Design Canberra is a not-for-profit membership-based organisation supporting artists, craft practitioners, designers and makers at every stage of their careers. Craft + Design Canberra workshops are designed to create opportunities for our members to showcase their skills, engage with community, and earn incomes. Find our full program here.

Cancellation Policy

· 15 days prior: Customers are entitled to a full refund on request.

· Less than 14 days: Customers are not entitled to a refund. Customers are entitled to a ticket transfer to a friend or family member.

Donations

Support Craft + Design Canberra to create greater opportunities for our community of craftspeople and designers, and for the growing audience who admire and appreciate the beauty, skill and excellence of their work.

Your generosity supports our organisation as an advocate for contemporary craft and design in Canberra and beyond. Help us to shape a handmade and creative future through exhibitions, events, residencies, professional development and commissions, as well as the biennial Craft + Design Canberra Festival.

Craft + Design Canberra has been endorsed by the Australian Tax Office as a Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) and is registered as a charity (as Craft + Design Canberra) with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission ABN: 33314092587. All donations of $2 or more will be tax deductible if you live in Australia.

Thank you for your generous support, even a small amount can make a big difference to those who MAKE.

Image | Michele Grimston’s Brooches | 2025 | Photo courtesy of the Artist.