Slowing down to make time for crafts

Intriguing sculpture above is on show in Edinburgh at the moment in the Dovecot Studios as part of an exhibition called TakingTime: Craft and the Slow Revolution which is on there until 10 March. Open Tuesdays - Sundays 10.30 - 5.30.

Went along to the exhibition today whilst taking a walk from our cottage through Campbell's Close to the Canongate, up to St Mary's Street and on up the Pleasance and through to South Bridge. A coffee stop to allow the gallery time to open, then in to find the wonderful gallery space exhibiting an intriguing craft exhibit.

As well as slowing down to read and explore the exhibits, I was pleased to find that photographing, tweeting and blogging about the exhibition was positively encouraged. It fitted in very nicely as a follow through from yesterday's inspiration to gather customer feedback from the conference I'd been at.

The piece in the photo is called "Garland #21 (stepping and stitching)" by artist Shane Waltener and choreographer Cheryl McChesney Jones and explores the movements made by people as they add to this sculpture. There are knitting needles and crochet hooks and visitors to the exhibition are invited to add to the sculpture by weaving, knitting and crocheting additions. As we left the exhibition the attendant at the front desk had even taken up needles and was planning to add a piece to the sculpture.

I'd been drawn to attend by a piece I'd spotted in the local Sunday paper about the ceramic work Tree in a Vegetable garden which I loved and had caught my eye.

If you're in Edinburgh before 10 March, I'd urge you to go along and see the exhibition, help make some of the exhibits, and maybe even buy some of the wonderful pieces. There's lots more to see and intrigue.

Definitely worth slowing down for and taking some time out of your hectic day. Take a camera along too!