JANET THATCHER

“Passion, love and a life-long affinity with animals is what drives Canberra based artist, Janet Thatcher, to create her inspiring, photo-realistic works in pastel pencil and velour. From pet portraits to exotic wildlife, Janet specialisesin not only capturing the essence of the individual but also the likeness. Her attention to detail sets Ms Thatcher’s work apart, each hair is painstakingly rendered, creating an intensely tactile and sensory work of art. ‘’There is something there and I want to explore what binds us through the use ofcolour, texture, and detail.”

 The recipient of many awards, Thatcher has appeared both here in Australia, and countries all over the world such as the USA and UK on television and in several magazine publications. Her work has appeared in many exhibitions and has been acquired by collectors all over the world with her episode of Colour in Your Life’ being selected as part of the NASA SpaceX program which will see it archived on the moon.

Janet’s work can be found (Ligerwolve Designs) on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, feel free to check her work out or give her a follow.”

BOBBI M. OLIVER

Bobbi immigrated to Australia from the USA in 1999. She has been an active potter/sculptor since 1969, also casting bronze and working in other mixed media. Since moving to Australia Bobbi continued to work in clay establishing a pottery in the Hunter region of NSW, for more than 10 years. While working full time as a coordinator for day programs, she concentrated on working in polymer clay and air dry clays. She has since returned to working in porcelain and stoneware clays for last 12 years. All her pieces are original, no pre-made molds or pre made armatures are used. She travels NSW selling her creations at Expos, Art Markets and other Arts events, Including many Psychic fairs.

Her qualifications include an Associated Arts Degree in Fine Art from Mendocino Junior College Ukiah, California 1988. Bachelors of Arts Degree from Humboldt State University, Arcata, California in Studio Art with an emphasis in Sculpture in 1992. She has been a Member of the Maitland Regional Artists Society, Tuggerah Lakes Potters Association, Gumnut Dollies, Newcastle, Hunter Arts Network, Art At Work Exhibitions.

JANE LAMBERT

Jane started making papercraft/greeting cards 20 years ago 2004, after retiring from nursing. It was all the rage making greeting cards, and scrapbooking. She soon went to work in a scrapbooking shop and worked there for 20 years. If there was a new technique out there she had to do it! She designed cards ran card making classes in her own studio and filled in at the shop and regularly creating her own designed cards.

Over the years she has made Christmas boxes to hold packs of cards and Christmas crackers fancy glass plates with beautiful serviettes sealed onto them and she sold them at fairs and markets. She makes assortment of little leather, fabric and or paper covered books for dolls, as well as fancy mounted tags for other stall items. It’s now a way of life and her passion. Living in a retirement village she has a constant list of commissioned cards to make for other residents.

SUE BUTLER

Art has always been a huge part of my life since childhood and has at times in my life provided me with an income. As a young woman in Sydney I’d pack my milk crate full of Fimo jewellery, strap a fold up bike to one side and a collapsible stand to the other, attach the whole lot to the back of my ex-posties motor bike with octopus straps and make my precarious way to Paddington markets. Quite the sight!

Over the years I have experimented with a multitude of mediums and art styles from life drawing to sculpture, printing, painting and collage. I am a certified Paverpol and Contemporary Clay instructor.
For the past few years I have become passionate about paint pouring – the alchemy of mixing mediums, melding of unexpected colour palettes and big, fat, juicy cells.

MELANIE DILDAY

Melanie has been a senior instructor at the Contemporary Clay Instructors Program for two decades. She has taught at TAFE colleges, the Fremantle Art Centre in WA, Grafton Artfest NSW, McGregor School Qld, Territory Arts and Crafts NT, Community Arts Bribie Island Qld, Camp Creative NSW, Woolgoolga Art Gallery NSW, Shambala Estate Mount Tamborine Qld, Trycan Two Rocks Art Centre WA and Byron College, Mullumbimby. She travels up and down the east coast in Presence, her campervan, running her popular intuitive painting course which often sell out quickly.

The author of Buddha in a Red Dress, Melanie has years of experience teaching meditation, running free community dance groups and intuitive painting classes.

Have a look at her Facebook page for examples of inspirational participants' work.

PAULINE STEVENS

Pauline has been interested in craft since early childhood, starting with sewing, crochet & knitting. Other crafts, such as paper tole, ceramics, stamping and patchwork have been part of Pauline’s creative journey.In the early 1990’s a TAFE course in Brisbane started her on the path of beading. She shared her newly acquired skills with friends, teaching many classes on her back deck in Brisbane.The lampworking journey started when she wondered ‘how do they get those flowers encased in glass’? Now she knows. After many hours of practice, and tutoring from lamp work artisans within Australia, Pauline has her own following, selling her beads individually or in completed jewellery pieces.Progressing on from flowers, her skills have been put to the test making owls, birds, turtles, foxes, octopi, Christmas teddy bears and mushrooms.Having retired, Pauline now spends her extra time making lamp work beads, designing and teaching workshops at Scattered Arts.

Other info………….Pauline is the artisan known as Sew Bead It, which you can find on Facebook. This is her hobby, so creating comes before promotion, as you will see by her scarce posts. Pauline has a unique and distinctive style which includes using various mediums. Fabric often finds its way into Pauline’s designs along with seed beads, crystals, charms, Czech glass beads and semi-precious stones. Of course many designs include her beautiful and unique lamp work glass beads. Pauline has a following of students through the workshops she has conducted at Scattered Arts. Starting with ‘Beginner Earrings’ and learning different skills with each workshop, her students ask, “what can we make next”? She is also the treasurer of the beading group Sunshine Beaders. Along with her committee she organizes a workshop weekend event each year. In 2022 Pauline was asked to teach 2 of her original designs at The Yarn Retreat at O’Reillys Rainforest Retreat.

Pauline won 1st prize in the Brisbane 2024 Arts & Craft, beading section at the Brisbane EKKA.

BRONWYN STUART

Throughout her life Bronny has enjoyed a cross section of crafts including dressmaking and clothing design with a keen interest in free machine embroidery, crochet, and knitting. Other crafts she has dabbled in include paper weaving, silk painting and collage.

A chance meeting at a workshop with an old boarding school buddy, Lex Sorrentino, introduced her to Paverpol and a way to incorporate many of her acquired skills into her creative work. Bronny is the proud owner of Paverpol Australia, supplying sculptors and artists across Australia with Paverpol products to create their own masterpieces. She is a certified Paverpol Instructor and Trainer and enjoys teaching creative Paverpol sculpturing at the Contemporary Craft Retreat. Using a versatile fabric hardener like Paverpol enables her to incorporate a variety of mediums like Artstone, Paversand, Plaster of Paris, and air drying clay into her teaching and sculpting.

Early in 2024 she was awarded the prestigious prize of “Champion of Champions’ at the Canberra Show Craft Expo after becoming Champion of the 3D Figures section with a unique air dry clay sculpture of a leafy sea dragon.

Pam Annesley 

– Mixed Media Artist & Jewellery Designer
Pam Annesley is a versatile mixed media artist and jewellery designer
with a passion for innovation and creativity. Based in Two Rocks, just
north of Perth, she draws inspiration from the coastal landscape,
incorporating elements of nature into her work. Her expertise spans
painting, printing, collage, and sculpture, with a particular focus on
silver and polymer clay jewellery.
With a background as a high school art teacher and TAFE College Art
Lecturer, Pam has dedicated years to fostering creativity in others.
She shares her extensive knowledge through hands-on workshops, and
studio classes, encouraging students to explore new techniques and
materials.
Pam’s work has been published in various art and craft publications,
highlighting her expertise in mixed media and jewellery design.
Whether crafting intricate jewellery or dimensional polymer clay
artworks, she brings a distinctive approach to each piece. Passionate
about culture and the arts, she inspires students to experiment with
new materials, push creative boundaries, and embrace their artistic
journey with confidence and curiosity.

LEX SORRENTINO

This dynamic and exciting contemporary clay artist continues to push the boundaries of what is possible in the contemporary clay world. Senior CCIP and Paverpol Instructor/ Trainer; Diamond Gold Seal NODAAA Member based in Canberra. 

Lex has 27 years of Polymer Clay Sculpting experience and holds weekly classes and workshops in Polymer Sculpting and Caning, Silver Metal Clay and Air Dy Clay sculpting. She also holds regular workshops in Paverpol Garden Sculpture.

She recently started working with and teaching a liquefied form of Makin's Air Dry Clay dipped in fabric with spectacular results.(The Makin's Clay Company have purchased a few of these sculptures.)

 She has won numerous awards for her Polymer Clay work including winning the Australian Doll As Art Judges Choice Award - twice. 

Being self- taught,  the minimal training leaves her free to approach clay sculpting with no preconceptions as to how it ought to be used. Ignorance can be genuinely constructive, particularly in a medium as adaptable as clay.

Her tutorials and amazing work have featured in multiple publications including the Australian Doll and Bear News and Dolls Bears and Collectables, Australian Beading Magazine and the USA Publication Polymer Café, Mixed Media & Steampunk, plus Passion for Polymer magazine.
 Lex is one of 3 Aussies published in the Prestigious Polymer Journeys Book 2019 and came second in the International Polymer Clay Association Global Exhibition 3D section 2022.

  In 2023 she came First in 2D Works in the IPCA Global Exhibition and Second in 3D works.

JANICE LAURENT 

Janice has been creating Art Dolls and sculptures for several years at her previous Victorian studio and most recently in her new studio "STONECREST CREATIONS" at Murrumbateman just north of Canberra. Her work has been featured in several National and International Craft and Art magazines. Over the years Janice has worked with all sorts of mediums, including Paverpol, Apoxie Sculpt, Makins Clay and Polymer Clay to name a few, however recently Pal Tiya and ceramic Clay have been favoured.

Over the past couple of years "Gourd Art" has started to feature and been included in her designs. Gourd Art is becoming popular in Australia and Pyrography, (wood burning), is an enjoyable and satisfying form of art. "It is important to know how to prepare and use the gourd" Janice says.

Janice feels very humbled to be invited again to join all these talented ladies at the Contemporary Craft Retreat, Canberra. It is probably the highlight of my craft year to be able to teach and also learn, surrounded by so many talented people.... "it is wonderful and such fun"!!

A Certified Instructor for Paverpol,  a Gold Seal member of NODAAA and also the CCIP (Contemporary Clay Instructor Program).

SARA FEENY-MARKS

Arts and Crafts have always been a passion of mine, for as long as I can remember, but I lost touch with it until the late 1990's where I re-established my love of all things crafty as a form of therapy. I quit the IT industry and established my Craft and Wedding Stationary business. I also taught within the Mental Health Industry, teaching various crafts as therapy to help patients find a sense of self gain after illness or major personal trauma.

Working with mixed media I find inspiration in everything I see and do. 

Some of my favourite mediums are Friendly Plastic, Angelina Fibres and Tyvek.

I have dabbled in Jewellery making and cards, also making mirrors, photo frames and Funky Wonky clocks.

LARA LE REVEUR.... HAVING A BREAK IN 2025

Lara Le Reveur is a multi-disciplinary artist. Or she just has a stubborn child locked away in there somewhere. Her art practice spans across her entire lives. Traces of her can be found in the courtyard of her childhood home, in the DNA of her children and on the road down the street where she fell off her bike in the winter of 2019. She worked commercially with porcelain and ceramics for many years. Her current practice contains the blood, sweat and tears borne of circumstance (not always bad ones) and some are deliberately put there by design. This does not make her an artist. As a child, Lara - like most young children who grew up in Australia - was encouraged to sing songs, make melodies and create marks with things, and half a century later she continues to pursue the infinite possibilities that a simple mark, sound or motion presents, and takes much delight in investigating how harmony can be achieved through combinations of these three expressions. She draws inspiration from travel, identity and cultural practices seeking balance, ideals in an imperfect world, and gaming technology. She holds a diploma in Jewellery design and three different metal clay teacher certifications. She has shared her crafting knowledge extensively throughout Australia and South East Asia, and recently spent 5 1 ⁄ 2 years on sabbatical in northern Germany. As she can not afford to study a fine arts degree, she uses too many different materials and experiments and creates beads, dolls, jewellery, paintings, sculptures and books. Now that she is back in Australia, she is developing her private teaching practice and has rejoined The Gallery Mt Macedon. Her current activities are painting based on the flow state and intuitive gestures, using them to create both 2D and 3D subjects, including jewellery (using paper, contemporary metals, craft and found materials from her travels across Europe) and learning historical martial arts.