My Journey As A Maker
And why I started this newsletter.
Hello makers,
My name is Esta Tonkin and I'm a maker. Haha, sorry that sounded like a rather serious confession or something! But it has taken me a long time to come to terms with the fact that being a maker is actually really important to me; it’s part of who I am. It hasn’t always felt that way. My upbringing somehow taught me to value getting a “real job” in the “real world”. So over the past 20 years, I’ve been an ecologist, an environmental management tutor, a freelance writer in China, a conservation genetics research assistant, the manager of a resourceful craft workshop business, and the office administrator for an outdoor education and a tourism business. But around ten years ago, things shifted in how I thought about my life. We were living in Germany at the time and I was pregnant with my first child. After some coaching sessions I realised I needed to be making, I need to be crafting and creating.
Ever since that day, I’ve been sewing and selling my makes online while raising my two young kids. I’ve made everything from phone covers to kids dinosaur tails, bread bags to coasters. But, I got really hooked on quilting. I love the minimalist, modern style of quilting - my quilts are probably nothing like what your granny’s quilts look like though! Think solid bold colours in simple geometric designs (Coast Road Quilting Co.). I’ve made quilted wall hangings, table runners, cot quilts, cushion covers, and quilt coats. I’ve also dabbled in designing my own quilt patterns (I have published three patterns so far).
But in the process of making things to sell, I felt like I lost my sense of curiosity, of exploration and play. During my time working at Rekindle, I was lucky enough to join some of their workshops and learn some new crafting skills. I wove a small basket from locally grown willow, I felted a pair of slippers from New Zealand wool (best slippers in the world too!), I learned traditional raranga (weaving) with harakeke (NZ flax), and I made my first notebook after learning the coptic stitch binding method. It truely was a year of exploration.
And I didn’t want to stop, learning or making! So I decided to start this newsletter with the intention to create a little bit of structure by setting a theme of making for each month. The idea is that you can make as little or as much during the month as you want (or can fit in). There are no obligations, accountability, or pressure to finish anything. You can simply join me in seeking a little curiosity, exploring making with our hands, or feet, or however you can. Let’s leave those big box stores to wither away, and bring back making to all our lives.
So, if you are starting out as a maker, or have been doing it for a while but just want to explore a little more, this is the community for you; welcome.
I can’t wait to see where all this making take us. Let’s go!
Esta x
The colours in your sewing room are enough to inspire any maker! I love the fact that you aren't afraid to explore ideas in your creativity and have a go at so many different arts and crafts. This can be difficult for a lot of people so a helping hand for all makers is a super idea. I agree with your comment about the big box stores. Let's forget about them and make our own stuff.