Regular readers of the 'get creative' magazine and visitors to Quilt & Craft Fairs around Australia will be familiar with the woman we have, in the past, referred to as a doyen of the crochet world. Queensland-based Jenny King is a one woman revolution in the crochet and yarn field and is known foreverything from crochet bikinis to crochet baby shoes. This year our heroine of the hook has opened up her own showroom where she’ll pass on her skills and passions face-to-face. It’s a dream come true for Jenny and a gift for her many fans.
Jenny, a prolific designer, self- publishes books of crochet patterns. She loves bead crochet and has long sold beading books and kits from her website. Many of her original designs have been featured in USA and Australian publications and she has won a number of overseas crochet awards plus she’s been a guest speaker of the Crochet Guild of America and has been accepted to teach for them in New Hampshire (USA) this July. When we spoke to her, however, top of the conversation list was her new showroom and workshop and something she likes to call “Dangly Do-Dad Day”.
As Jenny’s two beloved daughters grow up and embark on university studies their highly energetic Mum is able to devote more time to expanding her career and sharing her gifts. Her store, which she describes as being in one of the more humble parts of town, is blessed with great parking and is already bursting with yarns. They cover one wall, from floor to ceiling.
“I hope people from Melbourne and all States will fly into Maroochydore and do some classes with us,” says Jenny. “Kuluin, where the showroom is located, is ten to 20 minutes from everywhere but Buderim is becoming very trendy and the airport’s really close,” she says.
“I didn’t want this place to be a shop,” explains Jenny. “It’s a dream come true... a studio and a workshop where I can get people as excited about what I do as I am."
Loads of gorgeous crochet garments are on display so people can try them on and be inspired. Jenny keeps the mirrors to a minimum because she wants people to concentrate on the garment and the design not their hairstyle on the day.
There are hanks of yarn, books, piles of mohair and a tiny storage area. In the middle of the space is a big u-shaped table that can seat at least 10 people. “We’ll be open 10am to 4pm Tuesday to Saturday and I’ll run some night time classes for people who prefer them,” says Jenny. She has 10 classes ready to start including mitered knitting, crochet flowers, basic crochet, fancy beading, even “crochet clinics”.
Regulars at the new Jenny King Designs Showroom can also take part in knitting or crocheting for charity. “I found out that foster children are often just dumped into the system with nothing familiar or of their own with them,” she explains. “I started to design cute little toys which are donated to Project Love and Care. We call them Pudding Pals and make them at the Crochet Clinic. There’s a very funny chook that makes people laugh. I figure that’s a good thing.”
With the opening of her new store Jenny will attend a few less shows in 2008 but will be seen at the Craft & Quilt Fairs in Brisbane and on the Gold Coast. She will be teaching her painting with wool technique which, she says, “anybody can do!”
Encouraged by the huge surge in crochet elements she’s seeing on fashion runways around the world, Jenny says: “I thought we’d reached the peak in the resurgence but I think it’s only just beginning. My daughter is asking me to crochet her a dress, we’re seeing crochet hotpant suits and (Jean-Paul) Gaultier’s done a completely crocheted wedding dress - the veil and the whole works. Oh my goodness!”
Our creative teacher profile is:
Jenny King
Her specialty:
crochet
Where she teaches:
Australia & overseas
Find her at:
Jenny King Designs Showroom, 2B/ 2 Melaleuca St, Kuluin. Qld 4558
Tel: 07 54507077 [jennykingdesigns.com]
www.jennykingdesigns.com [jennykingdesigns.com]
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