The work on display here is the outcome of an international research project led by Falmouth University and Craftspace with Birmingham based partners; The Wesleyan Community Care Project and Soho House Museum in Handsworth and Dublin based partners Bealtaine Festival, Dublin Castle and the Office of Public Works. The project is funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council through its Connected Communities Programme. Research Questions How does learning through craft, sharing, making and reflecting develop skills and creativity? How can people work purposefully and enjoyably in the second half of life? How can we create a sense of opportunity about the second half of life - to take stock, reskill, plan ahead, connect with others and live more healthily. The project Community participants aged 50+ in Birmingham and Dublin conducted a creative and skills exchange using online tools like skype. Each group used a heritage building, Soho House Museum and Dublin Castle, and their associated histories and collections as inspirational starting points. Designer Maker Natalie Cole facilitated 8 creative sessions. We wanted to explore the potential for participants to craft together for pleasure and well-being, as well as making to sell as a social enterprise. The Process The Birmingham and Dublin groups began with a visit to Soho House Museum and Dublin Castle recording them through photographs and drawings. They then selected a motif, shape, pattern or theme from which to develop designs. They combined hand making with cutting edge digital technology. Participants collaborated with Makernow a community digital fabrication lab at Falmouth University. Their drawings were made into digital files and sent to the lab and produced into components through laser cutting and digital milling machines. For most participants, this project has enabled them to become digitally aware for the first time. They now have some knowledge of computer aided design and the possibilities of creating new tools, for example blocks for printing as well as components for products. Makernow digital studio session www.makernow.co.uk cocreatingcare.wordpress.com www.craftspace.co.uk

1. Co-creating Craft
Craftspace was the Community Co-Researcher
working in partnership with the Wesleyan Community
Care Project and Soho House Museum in Handsworth
(Birmingham), Bealtaine Festival in Ireland and
Makernow in Falmouth
www.craftspace.co.uk
An AHRC Connected Communities research project led
by Falmouth University

3. Our key research questions:
How does learning through craft, sharing, making and reflecting develop skills and
creativity?
Purposeful work: how can people work purposefully and enjoyably in the second
half of life?
Plan for life: how can we create a sense of opportunity about the second half of life
- to take stock, reskill, plan ahead, connect with others and live more healthily.
Our community participants in Birmingham and Dublin were aged 50+
In Birmingham the creative process was facilitated by designer maker Natalie Cole
of Pottinger & Cole and the co-ordinator and community co-researcher was Deirdre
Figueiredo, Director of Craftspace
www.craftspace.co.uk

4. Visit to local heritage site Soho House Museum, home of industrialist Matthew Boulton

5. Heritage and place as starting points for inspiration & catalysts for innovation,
Images taken by individuals on their visit

6. First session: visit to Soho House, introductions through telling a story about a personal
object from home, intro to digital manufacture, video skype with Dublin group

7. Second session: Co-devised collaborative craft consequences in response to similar activity
seen during skype call with Dublin at previous session. Five mins each and pass it on

8. Second session: Co-devised collaborative craft consequences in response to similar activity
seen during skype call with Dublin at previous session. Five mins each and pass it on. People
spontaneously helped each other if a technique was unfamiliar.

9. Gloria brought in knitting she did at home to show the group

10. Participants were invited to record their continuous reflections and thoughts on a table
cloth – these were the starting thoughts

11. Participants were invited to record their continuous reflections and thoughts on a table
cloth – these were the starting thoughts

13. From inspiration to re-invention

14. Gloria's design inspired by Soho House Museum wallpaper lasercut into fabric for
applique

15. Shared discussion about the next stage of Gloria's appliqué

16. Wall paper from Soho House Museum inspires lasercut print blocks

17. Myrtle & Valerie debating embroidery techniques

18. Alex’s lamp inspired by foliage from Soho House Museum gardens, lasercut elements

19. From drawing to laser, participants
have learnt new skills & ways of
working

20. Viv's first experiments with
components for brooches - how to
take them further?

21. Viv’s brooches based on floor pattern in Soho House Museum - lasercut + hand

23. Participants from Dublin and Birmingham meet at fablab Makernow
to learn new technology skills

24. The Crown Jewels of
Dublin, stolen in 1907,
co-created again by
Margaret & Frances
using a combination of
lasercut elements &
hand crochet

25. Margaret & Frances – hadn’t met before &
decided to co-create and share skills

26. Noreen and Hester problem solving together