A very busy few months
Welcome to the first Findaway newsletter. It has been a very busy few months, with lots of learning, making, problem-solving and quite a few new beginnings along the way.
Findaway is now officially up and running. I have set up the business, including the ABN and registered business name, and launched the Findaway website. Seeing something that began as an idea turn into a real place for classes, projects and useful maker content has been a project in itself, and there is plenty more I want to explore.
Learn. Make. Reimagine.
Findaway is about having a go, building practical skills and finding a way through the parts that do not go perfectly the first time.
Out in the workshop
I have now run two Findaway classes, and both have been a great chance to put the idea behind Findaway into practice: start with an achievable project, learn the skills as we go, and finish with something made by hand.
Nesting-box workshop: building, clamping and a partly finished box.
The nesting-box class brought woodworking skills together in a practical build. It was especially satisfying to watch the boxes take shape from individual pieces of timber into finished projects.
Stained-glass bookends
The stained-glass bookend class produced wonderfully individual pieces. Starting with the same basic project, everyone found their own way with shape, colour and detail.
On the sewing table
Next up is the beginner quilting class, so the sewing table has been busy too. I have been preparing beginner-friendly projects and making a few more advanced potholder examples to show where the basic techniques can lead.
A few of the potholder ideas taking shape for quilting inspiration.
Watch & make
I have also been building the Findaway video library. Three projects are now up, each with a slightly different kind of making and problem-solving:
• USB heated pads for your coat A practical way to add removable USB-powered warmth to a coat.
• Making an adjustable sawhorse A useful workshop build designed to adapt to different jobs.
• LEGO upcycled dresser A reimagine project that turns an existing piece into something playful and useful.
Coming in 2027: Japanese textile arts
I am also preparing a five-class Japanese textile arts series, planned to begin in mid-January 2027. The series will explore sashiko, katazome, shibori and kogin, before bringing the techniques together in a final rice-bag construction class. More details, dates and booking information will be coming soon.
What would you like to learn?
If there is a class, skill or project you would love to see at Findaway, I would genuinely like to hear about it. Some of the best ideas start with someone asking, “Could we make this?”
Thanks for being here
Findaway is still very new, so thank you for following along while I work out what it can become. There have already been plenty of new skills, unexpected problems and little wins, which feels exactly right for a business built around learning how to find a way.
Until next time, I hope you find something interesting to learn, make or reimagine.
Findaway | Learn. Make. Reimagine. | Tasmania
