Thriving local art scene

Danielle is proud to host the workshop. (Supplied)

By Afraa Kori

Residents are encouraged to mark their calendars for 25 January as Scrappy Chicks Crop workshop kicks off an exciting new year of creativity and connection.

Pakenham’s Danielle Edwards, a photographer and secondary art teacher, was inspired to start her workshop by her lifelong passion for scrapbooking, which she began at 16 years old.

With almost 28 years of experience, Danielle drew on her love of the craft community to launch her workshops 15 years ago in the Middle Pakenham and Berwick areas.

Held at Lakeside Pakenham Scout Hall, Danielle and her friend Janice Gilhooley will host the first workshop for this year.

This is a monthly Saturday workshop where papercraft enthusiasts gather to share and create together.

Each session features a guided scrapbooking or cardmaking project, followed by free time to work on your own projects.

The event typically attracts 25-35 attendees from south east and western Melbourne. The demographic is predominantly female, spanning a wide age range from young mothers to retirees, with a mix of working professionals and NDIS participants with their support workers. Crafty men are also welcome to join in.

The unique aspect of this event is its welcoming and collaborative atmosphere, where attendees share their creativity, inspire, and teach each other in a friendly and inclusive environment.

“Besides increasing their creativity and paper raft skills we offer community where everyone cares for each other. We are a crafty family,” Danielle said.

“People really want face to face events where they can meet with like minded people and know that they won’t be judged. A place where they are valued.”

“Paper crafting has become a hard to source supplies art form as lots of bricks and mortar stores have closed. We give people a chance to touch and play/create with things in person. And for some of our attendees our events can be there only social/relax time.”

For bookings: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1307374