harelei Report post Posted January 4, 2013 Kia ora, My name is Leiana, and I'm a native New Zealander (Maori), and we recently re-located to Queensland, Australia for work purposes. I was making taniko belts back at home; a traditional patterned dense fabric made using a finger-weaving technique, and had them stitched onto leather belts. It was while I was searching on the internet recently to learn how to sew the taniko onto the leather myself that I learned about the art of leather carving.... I think the belts would look better if the weaving was set into the leather, maybe I can skive out the centre? I have leather craft tools coming now... I've bought an old Singer 251-4... I'm going to need help learning how to use these, because I want to carve leather belts with maori patterns of whakairo (wood carving), raranga (weaving) and kowhaiwhai (rafter paintings).... I want to carve belts with Australian native plants (gum leaves and gumnuts, and kangaroo paws etc) for the Aussie cowboys and girls here.... (Whether they want them or not is another story though!!!) Happy to hand-stitch the belts using saddle stitch. I want to make leather bags and tool them also, with our Maori patterns.... Would probably use the sewing machine to make up the bags. I want the rest of the kids to grow up and leave home, so I've got more time for the above Still got 5 of 9 at home! Well, that's a little bit about me, and why I've joined this community. I don't have much to offer others right now, but I'm hoping that with time and practice, I'll be able to develop some skills, and be in a better position to start giving back. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tina Report post Posted January 4, 2013 Hi from the "top of the world" (Swedens place on planet earth) and Welcome to LW. I'm sure in time you're going to get answers for most of your questions. Time is something most of us is struggling to get enough of, if only the day had 48 hours:-) I've always been intrigued by the Maori craft, ever since I was at an art show with one of the wood carves from NZ. I also, Love the tribal tattoo patterns that's "in your face" :-) I wish I have the knollage to know what they all mean. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
harelei Report post Posted January 4, 2013 Hello Tina, Thanks for the welcome! The moko that we wear "on our face" that's "in your face" is about genealogy, and major accomplishments in our life. The first part of the moko on my chin was done with the tattoo gun, and by a relative from my father's tribe. It was finished by someone from my grandmother's tribe 11 months ago with the chisel (tapped; leaving dots). We're not allowed to have it done traditionally anymore, for health reasons... when it was carved with a chisel, leaving deep grooves in the skin. My husband has the full face moko. We get a few strange looks here in Australia! Moko has made a renaissance, as with a lot of indigenous arts, language, and cultural practices globally... Hoping to "tap" into that aspect of my heritage... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
