The Lost Trades Fair, held annually at the Kyneton Racecourse, is a reminder of how things used to come to life with the creativity and labour of skilled artisans.
Co-founded by Glen Rundell, a bespoke chair maker, and Lisa Rundell in 2014, the fair is one of a kind, bringing together traditional artisans to celebrate rare trades which have become susceptible to the rise of mass production.
This unique event aims to promote and sustain ancient and traditional trades in modern society, inspiring future generations to embrace past traditions and protect them from becoming lost in the mists of time.
Over 15,000 people flocked to the country town of Kyneton, 85 kilometres north of Melbourne, to step back in time for a weekend at last year’s fair.
This Labour Day long weekend, thousands of intrigued individuals will once again inundate the Kyneton Racecourse to meet with over 100 artisans, including 22 new faces, and discover more about their skills.
Should you be lucky enough to attend the fair, you can expect to run into blacksmiths, silversmiths, wood carvers, whip makers, saddlers, traditional toy makers, and armourers, among many other talented tradespeople.
Venetian-taught glassblower Ruth Allen will be returning to the fair for the fourth time to showcase her work and run small-scale demonstrations to expose the wonderful art of blowing glass.
“I think it’s important to educate people about different media, so that they can appreciate how things are made and understand their value,” Ms Allen said.
“The fair provides an opportunity for people to really get a glimpse at what we artisans do.”
Chandler, or candle maker, Fiona Marantelli will also be returning to the fair for another year.
Ms Marantelli, who taught herself to craft candles using ancient techniques and beeswax from her own backyard, is eager for the weekend to roll around so that she can share her passion with crowds of all ages in interactive demonstrations.
“It’s a great event which gets so much interest; so many people come and visit, and they all have intelligent questions to ask,” she said.
Attending the fair for the first time this year, is calligrapher Lauchean Duncan, who learnt her craft from the greatest masters around the world and has gone on to make a living from it for 25 years and counting.
Ms Duncan will share with fairgoers the origins of writing and its evolution over the centuries, showcasing her contemporary work which has developed from ancient styles.
“I want to show people original forms of the lettering styles, how they’ve developed and how I use them today in the work that I do for people, from signage to logos,” she said.
Meandering around the different sections of the fair, it’s hard not to be inspired by the dedication of the artisans to their chosen trade.
The experience will serve as a driving force for some, who will learn the tricks of the trade in one of the 20 or so workshops running both before and after the event, from tool making to spoon carving.
For others, the event will simply make for a great day out and a reminder that though considered lost, these unusual trades and the pure craftsmanship they encompass are certainly not forgotten.
To celebrate the Lost Trades Fair, running from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm on March 11 to 12, Il Globo will release a series of articles over the coming weeks, each exploring the world of an artisan who devotes their life to a particular “lost” trade or craft.
