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When weaver and basket maker Harriet Goodall, and textile artist Natalie Miller found themselves sharing a studio with a shopfront on the main street in Robertson in NSW’s Southern Highlands, it made sense to collaborate.
‘I was using the studio shopfront as a meeting space and had works-in-progress on the wall, and Natalie suggested we put our materials out and start a little shop to share all the cool stuff we were sourcing anyway for our own creations and workshops’ explains Harriet. ‘Playing shop with a friend? It’s just fun.’ Natalie’s inspiration came from further afield. ‘After a recent trip to New York visiting fabulous crafty and handmade stores, I was inspired to come back home and create something where Harriet and I could showcase our works, and provide contemporary craft supplies’.
Natalie suggested we put our materials out and start a little shop to share all the cool stuff we were sourcing for our own creations and workshops. Playing shop with a friend? It’s just fun.
Raw Craft specialises in basketry, weaving and contemporary craft supplies. Visitors will find Harriet and Natalie’s own and dyed own rattan, wool, cotton rope and raffia. They also stock products from around the world, including super chunky Loopy Mango yarns and knitting kits from New York, rope from Barcelona and Ashford weaving equipment and wools from New Zealand. Also available are beautiful fair-trade Warp & Weft beanies and gloves handmade in Peru. Australian makers are also represented, with a range of handmade painted rope vessels from Gemma Patford, textiles made by Vic Pemberton from Bind and Fold, and ceramics by other local makers.
Whilst Harriet loves all the neutral, natural earthy toned basketry supplies like seagrass, paper rope and hand dyed rattan, Natalie brings the colour (!), with brightly coloured roving, sari silks and silk yarns. ‘I believe the combination of our materials, the neutrals and colours complement each other perfectly, and work wonderfully within our studio store’ says Natalie.
Incredibly, Raw Craft is the only craft shop in the area! With a supportive local creative community, Harriet and Natalie are convinced their little shop will find its people. ‘Workshops really are the best way to learn to use all the gorgeous stuff we stock, so we plan to invite some people we admire to come and share their passions with our customers in a working studio setting’ explains Harriet.
Looking ahead, Harriet and Natalie plan to collaborate on a range of handcrafted products from the materials that they source locally and abroad. Their first collaboration, now available, are their stunning ‘Raw Craft Pendants’, designed with a ceramic top and woven rattan and seagrass shade (pictured at the top of this post). We LOVE THEM!
Raw Craft
31 Hoddle St
Robertson NSW
Open from 11am to 3pm, Friday to Sunday.
