Jenni Croft and friends are back at the Port of Echuca to share their ‘ancient trades’ with visitors.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
Visitors to the Port of Echuca will have the chance to see Tatura leather worker Jenni Croft working magic with leather up close.
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Over the next three weeks, Mrs Croft will be working out of the woodturners’ building alongside a few others who specialise in trades such as wool spinning, woodwork, basket weaving and more.
The annual workshops allow visitors to the port a chance to see traditional methods of crafts that aren’t commonly seen today.
Lancaster fibre artist Margaret Wilson will be showing her basket weaving skills alongside Jenni Croft.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
Mrs Croft said the response from workshop visitors had always been positive.
“The tourists that come through are amazing ... it’s good to have something in there, for the tourists,” she said.
“I do workshops, so they can have a play and make a keyring or something.
“They can’t believe that leather could be what it is, like it’s such a diverse medium limited only by your imagination.”
Jenni Croft has been working with leather for 45 years.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
At the age of 14 years old she made her own horse bridle and reins and since then, she pursued a career as a saddle maker.
She eventually got a job working with leather and made her own saddle, followed by wallets and then belts.
The more she worked with leather the more creative her designs became and eventually she enrolled in TAFE to pursue an art course.
Although she has made many different things over the course of her 45-year career, one of her most memorable was the creation of a leather lace.
Lace made out of leather by Ms Croft. Photo: Supplied.
The process of punching out the individual holes for the lace took 19 hours, and the end result successfully mimicked the way lace drapes.
Nowadays, Mrs Croft has continued to find different ways to work with leather and owns a workshop in Tongala called ‘Jenni’s shed’.
“I do everything, three-dimensional art, from sneakers to thongs and saddles,” she said.
“Leather is my passion, I’m out in my shed at five most mornings ... where you can go with leather, it’s endless possibilities.”
Mrs Croft has a range of creations on display for visitors to enjoy.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
Mrs Croft has exhibited her work locally and around the region at the Alton Gallery and The Foundry Art Space in Echuca and the Heritage Centre in Nathalia.
She has also had buyers seek out her work from around the world, including France, Germany, United States, the UK and around Australia.
Her workshops at the Port of Echuca will be running every day from 1pm to 3pm over the next three weeks.
There will be a $20 fee for those who would like to take part in the workshop, which will include all necessary materials.
If you would like to book a spot, call into the workshop at the woodturners’ building, or contact Jenni Croft on 0402 758 099.
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