Category: Crafts
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Picking Up Threads or Spinning New Yarns? Presentation
I presented a paper (‘Picking Up Threads or Spinning New Yarns? Investigating the Uncanny in Industrial Communities’) at this year’s (2025) DVMWHS Research Workshop, in the Strutt Centre, Belper, today, summarising the IF project. For any who were unable to make it; and audience members who might find further perusal useful; I’ve provided the content…
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Exploring Otherworld Derby: Fact and Fiction
Industrial Folkways’ investigations begin in and around Derby, due to the availability and accessibility of both existing evidence, and previous research; and (informed by the primary and secondary sources), the potential for finding further data of relevance to the project. In an old town like this, we can reach out and touch the past: it’s…
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(Un-)decking the Halls
Sadly, the time has come to take down (most of) the Christmas decorations – including this kissing bough, made for the Markeaton event, at the end of November (pictured here, before installation outside – to keep fresh for bringing in again on Christmas Eve). Although this decoration has now shrivelled due to central heating, other…
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Pickwick in the Park: Cut-out coach card Christmas Craft Activity!
Introduction This activity follows on from the Pickwick in the Park: Seasonal Soundscapes Activity, which explores the auditory environment with particular regard to the location of toll-roads and -gates near and next to Markeaton Park in the 1830s – as discussed in the Interactive Guide. The guide also considered the significance of coach travel at…
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Posh Porcelain Art Activities & Christmas Crafts
Part 2 of the Finding Festive Feasts Quiz discussed late 1700s porcelain cup sherds found at Markeaton during excavations of the Craft Village courtyard, in the area of the stables and stable-yard (discussed in the Interactive Guide). As yet, Industrial Folkways hasn’t been able to examine these sherds; so at the moment it’s not possible…
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Free Markeaton Park Interactive Heritage Guide and Activities – Pickwick in the Park: A Dickensian Derbyshire Country Christmas
*News* To be sure not to miss out on new content, check back here soon; sign-up for the mailing list (using the mailing list signup form); or subscribe to social media. New live content (16 December 2024): The final activity relating to the Dickensian Derbyshire Country Christmas Interactive Guide – the related Quiz – rounds…
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And on, and on, and on…
Sometimes what appear to be very simple ‘shows’ take *much* more work than the whistles-and-bells presentations. For instance, the ‘time machine’ (digital!) that I’m making is very shiny and swish, but, although it’s taking quite a while to complete, that’s nothing to the time I’ve been putting in to making figures for comic-strip-style stories, and…
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A New Storytelling Folk Figure in the Making!
Here’s a quick clue to the another IF folk figure who’ll soon be joining the team: tiny late Georgian stays (corset)! More soon!
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Meet the Team: ‘Tommy’
In a previous short post I mentioned that I’m experimenting with prototypes for possible craft and storytelling characters. I’m principally developing craftwork as part of my commercial practice (e.g. possibly as kits to purchase; I’m in the process of reorganising online sales), income from which helps cover IF costs. But I might also incorporate simpler…
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Prototype characters for crafts and storytelling
I’ve been experimenting with prototypes for possible craft and storytelling characters over the last few weeks. I’ll be remaking these soon – as a recent visit ended with my parting company with two of these; and a third is also about to fly the nest, I’ll post the initial attempts now. (I’ll say more about…