By GEORGIA WESTGARTH
CRUMBZ Art and Crafts Supply Store has taken its skills to the street, unleashing talent on the lamp post directly outside the Crumbz shop front on Maroondah highway.
Yarn bombing, a relatively new way of decorating otherwise mundane outdoor public spaces, has taken off around the world.
The creative cozy’s unlike other forms of graffiti, can be easily removed without causing long-term or costly damage, however the inspired practice is still technically illegal.
Neighbouring shop Mud Glass Metal owner Tim Peel says he’d like to see more of it, in any form it may take.
“I’d like to see all sorts of positive things in this street, it shows people value the township and what it stands for,” Mr Peel said.
Crumbz Craft covered the lamp post in colourful yarn on 28 June, after much planning and consideration into the design and concept of the street art.
Assistant Alison Boyd and Founder Kay Trembath of Crumbz Craft said it took the duo a few months to make the pole art.
“A lot of work, time and effort went into making it and we haven’t had anything but positive comments from the community,” Ms Boyd said.
The store was asked to remove the street art on 10 September by Yarra Ranges Infrastructure and Maintenance, but it was never removed.
Crumbz Craft contacted Yarra Ranges Mayor Fiona McAllister directly after the issue was raised, with Cr McAllister allowing the street art to stay up under the conditions it is kept neat and tidy.
Yarn bombing has attracted people from around Melbourne, Ms Trembath said.
“We’ve heard it pops up on Pinterest and Facebook and over 5000 have viewed it, we’ve had people kissing and hugging it, posing for photos and it seems people of all ages really appreciate it,” Ms Trembath said.
The lamp post is the first of its kind in Healesville and with the positive community support it has received may not be the last.
Owner of Essenza Cafe Yarra Valley, Mr David Shepherd said the yarn- bombed post had been great for tourism.
