The Art in Craft



The craft trend has made its way from tiny table trinkets and decorations to fantastic focussed pieces of art

by Guy Little

More and more of us are becoming conscious of the way we entertain, specifically focussing on the dressing of the dining table and creating the right ambiance for the home.  Otto de Jager (major player in the South African events and entertainment industry; Otto De Jager Events) is probably responsible for introducing decadent, quirky and sometimes very over-the-top inspirations into table dressing.  His works caught much favoured attention in his baroque-style table settings and elaborate displays at Rooms on View, Johannesburg 2008.

De Jager’s creative senses are spot on in his food and table displays.  Visit www.odjevents.com for more information

A movement toward a more eclectic way of table setting and decoration has evolved.   From the very rustic to the ultra-mod, décor retailers and suppliers cottoned onto the importance of consumers entertaining in style.   In one sense, this has further spilled over into a more dainty and impermanent form of decor product - one that enhances both home and ambiance for entertaining. A turn to craft and all things hand-made reveals displays as clustered, stacked or shown as collections – very evocative of the Victorian era. 

Victorian interiors were characterised by collections of objects that reflected both owner’s interest and wealth, as well as further enhancing the look and feel of the home.  Clustered paintings and ornaments are easily relatable to modern ways of display and decoration



An emerging trend - some years ago - was the introduction of felted orbs and pebbles.  They started small and now, creations are the size of boulders.  One such artist I tapped into on the net has this very profession.   Ronel Jordaan - a textile designer – has a website that works seamlessly with the design and display of her creations.  I was quite taken by an image of weaver nests intergraded into raw branches.  The nests – all fresh tones of blue, pistachio green and white – have been moulded to mimic real bird dwellings.  The juxtaposition of the felt nests against a stark wall is very affective in creating a modern and aesthetically pleasing focal point.





Jordaan’s modern creations are reflective of a movement toward hand-crafted objects that serve to adorn and enhance an interior.  For more information visit www.roneljordaan.com

Fabricating, crafting and moulding objects into a space carries with it sentiments of love and more importantly – the good energies used to create it.

 

Be Inspired

When spotting divine decorations you are really keen on – think about the use they’ll have after you’ve entertained.  As in Ronel Jordaan's designs, her felted design arrangements can easily be tanslated from party pleasure to beautiful decor piece after.