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Mary Corbet

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I learned to embroider when I was a kid, when everyone was really into cross stitch (remember the '80s?). Eventually, I migrated to surface embroidery, teaching myself with whatever I could get my hands on...read more

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Koala Conventions – Coming to America!

 

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Koala Conventions is a business in Australia devoted to putting together pretty spectacular needlework events. Twice a year in Australia, they host workshops that pull in some of the best tutors from Australia and around the world. The workshops cover a huge variety of techniques, and they look deliciously tempting and downright fun!

Koala Conventions Needlework Workshops

For those of us who live in the US, Koala Conventions has announced some pretty exciting news on their website! In 2013, they’re planning on bringing Koala Conventions to America, with two gatherings, one on each coast!

(Update, 2016: This event never came to pass! Too much paperwork to get the whole event over to the US, I suppose!)

Now, to really appreciate what we’re talking about here, you’ve just got to take a look at their workshop line-ups for their Brisbane, 2011 event. It’s a huge array of teachers, workshops, talent… I can’t begin to imagine the coordination and effort it will take to put together this type of event from some 10,000 miles away, but I’m awfully glad they’re planning on doing it! They’re currently asking for feedback, suggestions, and thoughts on the event, so do read their blurb on Koala Conventions coming to America and feel free to add some input on the subject.

And speaking of Koala Conventions, while you’re at their website, click on their Australian Needle Arts Shop link. They have a shop! Definitely something to keep an eye on there as it develops further! There’s heaps of excellent stuff in it already – especially kits and publications. Australia, after all, produces a plethora of excellent needlework-related-everything: from Country Bumpkin publications, to Gumnuts Yarns, to the kits and designs of the likes of Jane Nicholas and Alison Cole – I mean, really. What is it about Australia??!

Yep. Koala Conventions looks like good news all around! Check them out, keep an eye out for new developments, and if you’re in America (or can be here in 2013), pencil them into your calendar for May!

 
 

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(14) Comments

  1. I think that they should consider having you there. You have so many fans that would come just to finally meet you in person. Australia take notice here!!! Karen

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    1. You and me, both, Paula!

      Karen – LOL. Thanks for the vote of confidence. But I think I’d rather go and take classes – from Jane Nicholas, Alison Cole, Jan Kerton, Jenny McWhinney, Lesley Turpin-Delport (oh, yes, I love her book!), Di van Niekerk, Gary Clarke (that Jocobean whitework is gorgeous!). The list could go on, and on, and on, and on! Just to go and have a blast with fellow stitchers, learning, participating, etc. – wouldn’t that be fun? I think so!

  2. This is really exciting news. I’ve often drooled over the class line-ups at the Koala Conventions. I hope they bring the teachers with them!

    Oh, and yes, what is it about Australia? There are many times I’ve wished I lived there. 🙂

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  3. Hi Mary,
    I checked the website and feel like I won the lottery – one of the locations for the Koala Convention US is where I live – Atlanta!
    Thanks so much for telling us about this – I had not heard of this company – also, I’m really looking forward to seeing their “shopping” website!

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  4. I’m in the UK and I have just had a friend over from Australia who told me about this. We are thinking of meeting up again but this time in America at this convention. Plenty of time to save the pennies, can’t wait 🙂

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  5. This is really exciting and i am already planning to go if I can. What an opportunity! I am also envious of the Australians and their needlework. I can’t wait.

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  6. I can highly recommend Koala Conventions, I have attended 7 of the 10 they have held in Brisbane and just love them. The organisation is second to none, the teachers without exception are excellent and the venue magnificent. It is held in the campus of the Brisbane Girl’s Grammar School and what very lucky girls they are to have such a well-endowed school. If you have the chance go to Koala’s American convention, but to experience Australian embroidery at its best come to Brisbane next July!

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  7. I went to their convention this summer in Brisbane and it was excellent. The shop was amazing, too — a real treat to see all these Australian kits that can otherwise only be viewed online, even if I could only afford to buy a few of them.

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  8. If the American workshops are only half as good as what they are offering in Brisbane and Perth, it still would be wonderful! And one on each coast! I’ve met a few of the teachers and they are so great to work with. I am definitely marking it on my calendar.

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  9. It looks like it’s about four hundred Australian for a two-day workshop, and I can only imagine that their costs will be even higher for coming so far. It’s enough advance notice that I may be able to save enough money, though. I’m not much of one for formal work but I would be absolutely thrilled to do anything with people from that level.

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  10. Have you heard about the knitting people that meet in Central Australia (ie near Ayers Rock) each year to knit beanies, all together? Another Australian tradition…I forget the name of the actual event.

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  11. I have just attended the Koala Convention in Perth and also attended the Brisbane convention in July. Both were brilliant and so incredibly well organised. The teachers were also wonderful – not only those who I did classes with but also those I “visited” for a little peak. I now have a list of new things for next year and a treasure trove of UFO’s. Met many wonderful people and had many laughs. I cannot recommend this experience strongly enough.
    Jo

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  12. Thankyou so much for all the wonderful compliments about our events and the exitement about our ‘coming to America’! We are making good progress in our initial planning stages. In order to promote the USA events and our new on line shop we are attending the Rusty Barn Quilt, Craft and Sewing Festival in Seattle in Nov 2011. If you are at this festival next year, be sure to drop by and say Hi as we would love to meet you.
    Wendy
    Koala Conventions

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