Crafting in the online world
Creating workshops that address waste culture and accessible crafts to people for all ages.
originally published 28 March 2021
COVID has changed the nature for a lot of physical activities, and at Immortal Bloom the challenge is asking questions around awareness on plastic waste through creative reuse, to audiences' forced to stay at home.
We started out exploring these issues from a public work space to an online interactive space that gives opportunity to look at the average weekly; 2kg of plastic household waste that can be regenerated, giving the material a new lease of life.
Our PET Shop series, named after one of the most common packaging plastics, allows us to work alongside diverse communities across West Yorkshire and beyond, without leaving our homes.
The tutorials allows participants to come away and practice the technique at their own pace, in the comfort of their homes and later share them with others.
Coloured examples of the objects produced in the workshop.
Photograph: Alex Cousins
We like to push things further through online social interaction, where people can come and chat to each other, meet new people, and create a sense of community that would otherwise be impossible while secluded.
From working with groups that have an array of social and physical challenges, we have a deeper appreciation for those who may have found traditional practices demanding by making craft accessible to new audiences, from the click of your fingertips.
Is it beneficial?
”Online crafts provide a safe space for those who may not even want to socialise by giving them something to do, in company, creating a strong community cohesion.”
Where?
“Our recent workshop is based in the valley town of Todmorden, where families and young people aged 6-10 joined us in making little aquatic creatures from one plastic bottle.”
What’s beautiful, is by working with children and parents there is a monopoly of additional materials sourced from recycling bins which demonstrates creative freedom.
By using simple techniques, and tools found at home, we spent an hour making one fish, a starfish and an octopus, using 99% of waste that can be recycled after the final craft is completed.”
Bottle fish made in the workshop
Videography: Alex Cousins
We are humble to be involved in communities and arts during COVID rehabilitation. Especially, Looking to develop our workshop series and outreach programmes concerning issues surrounding the properties of plastic packaging.
The online nature of the workshops means participants will generally have access to the materials already in their homes.
Check out our DIY Fish on our YouTube channel.
Massive THANK YOU
‘The "‘Aquatic’ workshop is supported by Todmorden Town Council for our 5th interactive session. It’s been warm welcoming and we hope to be back in Todmorden in the near future.’
IB Team.
Testimonials
“Working with Rachel and Anzir from Immortal Bloom was a very positive experience. At all times I felt listened to and included. They made sure everything was clearly explained and had great enthusiasm backed up with an obvious depth of knowledge. I would consider myself lucky to have to opportunity to work collaboratively with them again in the future.”
“As we were in lockdown and the usual arts workshops were not operating their traditional form this on-line platform proved to be the perfect vehicle to take part in and experience much needed arts stimulus, especially as it encompassed all age ranges ”
Our previous sponsors:
Credit: Alex Cousins (Videographer)
Verity Sturdy ( Workshop Assistant)
Anzir Boodoo (Project facilitator)
Rachel Rea. (Project Leader)