Experience Arts and Craft and Hobby Activities on the Midlands Meander
The Midlands Meander situated between Hilton and Mooi River just off the N3 highway in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands is a magical collection of arts and craft enterprises - its raison d’être - top restaurants and superb homely accommodation. Founded in 1984 by a group of crafters resident in the area, the Midlands Meander is the first of its kind in South Africa and remains the frontrunner in terms of variety, accessibility and quality of the arts and craft experiences among other routes that have sprung up around the country so recently.
Over the past few years, the number of arts and craft sites on the midlands meander has grown steadily. Today one can visit cobblers, piano restorers, furniture makers, and blacksmiths. There are art galleries, papermakers and kite makers. And, how about a hammock, an exquisite wooden salad bowl? Stop in for a pint of local brew at Nottingham Road.
Activities for EveryoneIncreasingly, also, there are sites that offer activities for visitors where he or she takes part in a creative activity. A good example of these is Giverny Creative Country Holidays. They specialise in fun in creativity - usually through the medium of arts and craft who specialise in arts and craft related creative activities for young and old. Founded in 2001, Giverny Creative Country Holidays is now visited by hundreds of people each year. The organisation is dedicated to inspiring creative thought in children and adults. Giverny is firmly on the calendars of several schools that send their children to them for exposure to a range of creative activities heavily based on arts and craft. Are you looking for a team building activity for a corporate group? Giverny has a novel approach – no rafting, no abseiling, no game viewing. Their team building revolves around creative activities It doesn’t matter who you are everyone can be creative (no one will judge you). And in a way that traditional team building activities can never do, their creative teambuilding gets the imagination going. Farmin' 'n Fishin'Birdview touch farm where the young and young at heart can be with farm animals. Candle dipping at the Junction is a real family affair. Into adventure? Then the Karkloof Canopy Tour is for you. Fly-fishing opportunities abound in the midlands and more come on stream every year. Excuse the pun, but really, the Midlands Meander is rivalling Dullstroom these days – not only for trout but bass fishing is becoming so popular.
Way up high at Karkloof Canopy Tours
Mariaana of Birdsview Farm introducing a new friend
Helen Shuttleworth of Shuttleworth Weaving presents demonstrations and courses in spinning, dyeing and weaving. Helen and her husband, Andy, have 25 years experience in the production of their exquisite rugs. Trish Akal of Kingdom Weavers also demonstrates the skill that goes into her products.
Interested in hand built and Raku fired pottery? Or stained glass? See how these are made at Aladdins De-Light where Louise van Niekerk demonstrates and teaches these techniques. Glass is sooo interesting and two crafters who are passionate about glass are Gill Pryke of the Sauvutar
and Terry Stevens of Buchanans who share their skills in glass cuttings and kiln formed glassware respectively.
For a long time now, John and Andrew Early of the Woodturner & Hampden Inc. have turned out the most exquisite wooden vessels and furniture. Why not see how they do it at one of their demonstrations.
Staying with wood, not far from the Earlys live Rob and Tinks Fowler of Corrie Lynn. Allow Rob to instruct you in his techniques in making country furniture. They make kites out of wood don’t they? Well, for some kites they do and for others they use other materials, but if you really want to find out a visit to Hi-fly kites is a must. The guys and gals at Hi-fly will show you so much useful stuff on the art of kite making that all you will really need is a good windy day.
So now, we’ve been through creative activities, touch farms, canopy trips, weaving, woodworking and kite making. Wonderful arts and craft all of them yet we have hardly scratched the surface! Moms do you remember making dream catchers at school? Your daughter’s probably never heard of them and that’s such a pity because it was such fun. Well, if you were touring the Meander you could arrange with Charisse Papworth of the Hobbits Hut to show the girls and boys (why not?) the magic of dream catchers. Close to the Hobbits Hut is Out of Exitus where Sarah Ellis teaches the art of paper making.
So many people are genuinely interested in gardening and especially herb cultivation. Did you know that South Africa’s largest herb selection is right here in the Midlands Meander? Yes, Peter’s Gate is that place and Geoff and Karen of Peter’s Gate offer courses in herb growing. Revel in their collection.
Photography is the passion of Stephen Pryke and like so many of the talented people who practise their arts and craft on the Midlands Meander he is more than willing share it.
Mother Goose
on the Nottingham Road – Rosetta road boasts a whole array of fun activities for kids. What about archery or wall climbing?
Did you know that you can learn to make soap on the Midlands Meander? Well you can at Woodridge Country Hotel and craft Company.
The Midlands Meander is chock-a-block with places to stay and arts and craft to purchase. Now, increasingly it is a route of creative activities where you can experience and learn for yourself arts and craft. Acquire for yourself a new hobby and craft and where better than in the place where arts and craft are our lifeblood – The Midlands Meander - South Africa's premier arts and craft route.
Click here to check out our sister site www.midlands-accommodation.com for more on accommodation in the Midlands Meander.
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Corrie Lynn - experience how country furniture is made