They say that being in your 40s is a time of clarity and empowerment – a time when it all comes together just the way you always hoped it would. Bigger. Better. Than ever.

It seems that way with Craft Cubed. It’s the biggest festival for Craft in 42 handiwork-filled years. Craft? Yes. You might remember them as Craft Victoria but they’ve dropped the parochial tail for a more contemporary feel.

Craft Cubed is the annual festival that celebrates and promotes the thousands of designers, artisans and makers who keep their fingertips busy with expressions of all things wondrous and clever.

You’ve missed opening night – that was back on August 2 and launched by the Princess of Tonga. Never mind. It goes until September 1 and most events are free. Expect is a gathering of experimental, skilled and ideas-based craft and design, with a plethora of open studios, exhibitions and workshops, as well as inspirational professional development sessions for up-and-coming craftheads to learn from the masters.

Where is it you ask? It’s not that simple. More than 70 venues are on active alert during Craft Cubed so best you check out the full program to see what catches your eye.

Bookings are still open for Craft and Design as a Career (16 Aug), The Art of Visual Merchandising (1 Sep) and Craft Online: The Next Level (20 Aug).

It’s worth a visit just to see The Melbourne Tapa – a 20-metre long artwork by 13 Pacific Island women, on display at Craft HQ, 31 Flinders Lane, Melbourne. Tatau at NGV Studio is another attention-grabber, on-site at NGV Studio and features live tattooing the way they used to do it – traditional Pacific Island-style.

Open artist studios are available for peeping in on Saturday 18 August. Makes happy to show off their arty style include Shelley Panton, Gillian Hillman, Jessica Singh and Hello Sandwich Residency at Harvest Textiles.
Crafty.

Craft Cubed
2 August – 1 September 2012