Sibella Court opens her little black book of rare and specialty trades

Remember when Australians could actually make stuff? And not just unreliable cars, but beautiful stuff. There was a time when everything from candles and knives, right through to buckets and brooms was made right here in the suburbs of our cities and beyond.

Nowadays, it’s difficult to believe we could ever do things with our hands apart from manipulate a smart phone. At the latest Census (2017) the top industry for men was computer system design, while women were most employed in hospitals.

“Most Australians have no idea of the skills that have been lost,” says former president of the Artisans Guild of Australia, Bruce Walker. “The advanced skills that were taught following a trade apprenticeship just aren’t there anymore. Mentorships are becoming a thing of the past. The world has changed.”

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The Artisans Guild of Australia was established in 1994 to promote, develop and encourage the highest standards of skill and practice in the decorative arts, crafts and trades. Guild secretary, Glenys Thomson says she is frequently contacted by people looking for a gilder, a heritage plasterer, or a decorative painter. And there are positive signs that people are not just starting to see the value in artisan-made goods but are interested in learning a trade themselves.

Testament to this increasing interest are the crowds turning up to the Lost Trades Fair in Kyneton each Labour Day Weekend in March. First held in 2011, the Lost Trades Fair is a celebration of “skilled manual work, ancient crafts, and rare trades”. This year, almost 22,000 people turned up to watch 90 artisans at work. The next Fair will be held in Toowoomba this October.

Someone who frequently utilises the skills of artisan trades is interior designer Sibella Court, the host of Restoration Australia and founder of The Society Inc.

“We’re seeing a slow living movement, and it comes hand-in-hand with trade and craft,” she says. “People want to grow their own vegetables, they want to live on the land and get out of the rat race and the traffic.”

Court says she has a black book of specialty trades that she keeps quite guarded. Among the pages are a blacksmith, scenic painter, old-style plasterer, dry stone wall builder, and bush-craft furniture maker.

Photos: The Society Inc

One of those in Court’s little black book is knife maker 1803. The family company was founded six years ago by Penny Hanan and named after the year in which deer were introduced to Australia.​

Hanan’s brother, Tim, has a deer farm on the slopes of Mount Canobolis in Orange, NSW, exporting venison all over the world. Hanan came up with the idea to utilise the byproduct – the antlers – to create beautiful carved knife handles.

“I wanted to show my kids that you can make something from scratch and stay connected to the country,” she says. “However, it was quite difficult to find a blacksmith who could make the blades.”

For the past two years, all 1803 blades have been hand-forged by Karim Haddad of the Tharwa Valley Forge south of Canberra.

“Karim is a great mentor to a lot of people and just a terrific bloke,” says Hanan. “People come from all over the nation to do his knife-making courses. I’m really proud of what we are making together. We’ll be launching a new set of knives in July and these will be the best in Australia.”

A sneak peek at Sibella Court’s little black book

Knife maker

​”Orange-based 1803 uses beautiful carved deer antler for their handles. I bought my husband an oyster schucker from 1803 for Christmas. He loves it.”

Photo: 1803

Cooper

“I own a bucket by George Smith. It’s so beautiful. You have to keep a little bit of water in it to stop it from drying out and leaking. The handle is plaited rope. You can only ever find him at the Lost Trades Fair.”  

Ceramist

“Robert Gordon. A family business of potters that is now into its fourth generation. Most of the products are made in Victoria. We sell the Swatch mugs at the Society Inc.”

Photo: Robert Gordon

Locksmith

“I once did a padlock-making course with Aaron from Keyhole Surgeon. He can pick any vintage lock in Australia.”  

Blacksmith

“Saul from Coloforge has been my blacksmith for a decade. An incredibly talented craftsman.”

Photo: Keyhole Surgeon

Bushcraft

“Joe Vinks makes beautiful furniture for us. We also use Greg Hatton, who happens to be also adept at building a dry stone wall.”

Stonemason 

“It has to be Sean Malone from Sydney Stone.”

Photo: Sydney Stone

Bricks

“Midland Brick on the Swan River in Perth are still making traditional sandstock bricks.”

Candles

“To be a traditional candle it must be made of beeswax. That’s why I love the candles by Queen B at Brookvale.”

Photo: Queen B