Today I'm pleased to share with you the work and space of Australian artist, Kristina from oldyarns. She works as a lawyer by day, but relishes in finding and reclaiming vintage linens, crafting a new story from materials that have already seen so much during their lifetimes. She works on her line at nights and on weekends, simply out of joy. Let's take a peek at where she makes it all happen, shall we?
What do you create in this space?
I make, although I rather like to call it 'reclaim', bed linens and home-wares using antique and vintage manchester sourced from all over the world. My inner bower-bird scours flea-markets, op-shops, antique stores, estate sales (and ebay!) for old tea towels, hand towels, table cloths, runners, doilies, sheets and handkerchiefs - looking for a new home. Many of these pieces, like hand crocheted doilies are not commonly used for their original purpose anymore, but it seems a shame for them to lie neglected. I marvel at the quality of their materials - pure linens, French, damask and irish; blends like linen métis and hemp linen - and their craftsmanship - rolled hems, embroidered monograms, cut-work, all done by hand. To me these linens carry the soul of the hands whom made them and speak of the tears wiped away, the dishes dried after a family homecoming dinner, a child wrapped warm after his bath, a hanky waved as the trained pulled from the station....
Once I have found the original linen, I then take pure linen fabric, vintage textile or even re-used potato sacks to create new pieces - pillowcases from a pair of antique French torchons (tea towels), a baby throw from a monogrammed hand towel, cushion covers with a cross stitched doily, cushions and grocery bags using souvenir vintage tea towels. Finishing touches are added with a monogram ribbon, self-covered buttons and cotton tape.
These linens are for those desiring a return to functional home-wares made of quality and integrity - their added gift is asking us to imagine the march of life they have witnessed on their journey. I have honored their stories - their old yarns - by naming each collection after an old book: spring 2008 is the "The Golden Treasury of Longer Poems".
Where is it located?
My handmade space is at my kitchen table* looking out the window of our beautiful third floor art-deco apartment in the inner city river suburb of New Farm, Brisbane, Australia. The building is about 80 years old with incredible ornate ceilings and polished floors. It is easy to be inspired here. I work as a lawyer by day and workshop oldyarns. in the evenings and weekends. I wish I could devote more time to my reclaimed linens, building my range and store; however there is also something lovely with it being almost an indulgence. I am quite protective of the little time I do get with my oldyarns.!
*By the way, the table I sew at was made by my Mr from his 'aroundthekitchentable' range, using a reclaimed old wooden door. We are a crafty pair!
What sort of tools/equipment do you use?
I sew on an old Bernina Minimatic machine which belonged to the mother of a good friend - it must be older than I am! But she is reliable and steady machine, her basic functionality in keeping with the utilitarian nature of the original manchester I am reclaiming for the oldyarns. range. In complete contrast at the other end of the table is my wonderful Mac which helps me a whole bunch with my etsy store and for time spent idly meandering my way through all your lovely blogs for inspiration and encouragement...
What inspirations do you keep nearby?
I find I get inspired just watching (can that be right? - they do almost seem alive) and touching vintage linen manchester, so I have boxes of my finds close-by. I also keep photographs, old postcards and tear outs from magazines to evoke a thought or memory and piles of shells, pebbles and sea worn glass for their tactility. I always try to have some fresh flowers, even if just a single stem of jasmine in an old medicine bottle. Ah the smell of spring!
What do you like to listen to/watch while creating?
My sewing table is just next to the kitchen so often I am lucky to be working away while my Mr is cooking our Sunday roast, the comforting noises of home. Sometimes it's music (José Gonzáles, Lisa Ono, Ben Harper are a few) and sometimes it's the quiet of the wind in the trees outside the window. And occasionally, when my sister visits, its the sound of children from her lovely boys as they 'help'.
How do you feel when you enter your handmade space?
A mixture of feelings - from anticipation and excitement, to shyness and hesitation, to calmness and comfort. I find true joy in working with these linens, bringing their histories home for use in our everyday.
Be sure to stop by the oldyarns. shop to take a peek at all the goodies that Kristina creates here! Modish readers can receive a 10% discount by mentioning 'Modish' at checkout- valid until Christmas!
If you've got a handmade space you'd like to share with Modish
readers, email me at jena{at}modishblog.com with the subject "handmade
spaces" along with a few photos to share!
Thank you! Thank you, America! 
