This month's Curious Person is Ash Bentley (she/her/hers)- a crafty maker and content creator based in Victoria, Australia. We explored the theme of Unconventional Inspirations over on our collaborative Pinterest board where we explored the glorious and unhinged treasures that inspire our descent into crafty madness.
About You
Introduce yourself!
Hi I'm Ash and I'm trying my best! I'm a YouTuber/maker I guess - I'm still getting used to that idea. Mostly I just tell people I make silly crafting videos. But my whole channel is me making whatever I feel most excited to make - usually wearables - but we end up with things like a reverse mermaid, a collection of seasonal witch costumes (keep an eye out for Autumn!), baking a 4-tier cake and attempting to knit the worst outfit ever. It's all about having the audacity to say 'I can make that' and proceeding to do so, to varying degrees of success. So in short - I have the best job in the world.
Did you always know you wanted to do what you do? What was the journey like to get to where you are now?
Definitely not! I have had a *very* winding path to get here. I was definitely an arty goth/weird teen, and I was sure I was going to be fashion designer. But when I went to TAFE for fashion, I hated it and dropped out after six months. I then proceeded to drop out of a business degree and a patisserie diploma, and I feel like I'm forgetting one more attempt at tertiary education.
Fast forward to a few years ago, I've never stuck with any creative pursuit AND I somehow have a career in finance. My partner and I were on a road trip in New Zealand, and we talked about what our ideal lives would look like (travel always helps me re-evaluate my life). I realised that I wanted to just make whatever I felt like making, without being pigeon-holed into one craft, and when that thing was finished, I would make something else. And it turns out there's a job where you can do that.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
Luckily for me, my job is doing my hobbies! Making my videos takes up most of my time, but I'm trying to make myself have more down-time. Currently that looks like getting back into pole dance after a long hiatus, and re-playing Skyrim (did you know there's a fishing quest mod?? Highly recommend).
The Pinterest Board
See the board we collaborated on here.
Tell us what you think of the board theme- why does it inspire or interest you and what’s your connection to the theme?
So my Pinterest boards aren't particularly aesthetic - nothing I do is. I'll have things that will pique my interest and they'll sit there for months or years until the other piece of the puzzle comes along and suddenly I have an idea. Like my Too Many Fingers costume - it was inspired by a biblically accurate angel (almost entirely unrelated) and a request to make croc jibbetz.
I'm also often inspired by things I saw a long time ago, and then misremembered, so much so that it eventually becomes something totally different. My pins are often little sparks that can end up pretty far from the original image. I think it also plays into that idea that nothing creative is wasted. So many people (myself included) worry about not being an expert or having a defined niche, but I think we collect skills and inspiration along the way that eventually we can use in unconventional ways. I think there's also a lot of fear around not being original enough, but art isn't created in a vacuum and we're all influenced by what's around us all the time.
If you could collaborate with anyone—living or historical—on a project around this theme, who would it be and why?
I'd be lying if I didn't say (predictably) that number one on my list would be Rachel Maksy. I think most of us in this fairly new project-crafty-adventure niche of YouTube are inspired by her and her 'just give it a go' approach, and we owe her *a lot* for paving the way. She's super relatable and shares her projects even if she's not 100% happy with them (*goooooood enough* - you have to sing that part), which is what I needed to see to feel okay about sharing my stuff on the internet. Also one time she made a Selkie-inspired dress out of trash, so I know she gets it.
What’s the absolute, non-negotiable piece of content you pinned that people must see?
A collection of (I want to say leather?) theatre masks by Werner Strub. I can't explain it, but I'm very drawn to things that appear ugly or unnerving. Hence why I've made projects with fingers, rats, an anthropomorphic rabbit, etc. And I have a strong fascination with masks (see also a beautiful example by Anastacia Pilepchuk). It might have started in high school when I made a silkscreen of a clown face, and each week as I left it to dry, someone covered it up. I don't know I just found it very funny.
Closing Curios
Beverage of choice?
A big mug of water straight from the kettle. I love to sip on hot drinks all say but I can only handle the caffeine of one coffee a day (sad), unless I'm feeling reckless and I get a coffee frappe knowing full well it will make me feel sick.
Favourite recent find (could be a book, tv show, website, tiktok account)?
Oooh I love video essays, especially deep-dives on topics that I have no particular interest in. I've been watching Jenny Nicholson's and Defunctland's essays on theme parks. I don't like theme parks, but they do and it's so fascinating to see their super thorough research into failed parks and niche topics like a Star Wars hotel and the Disney Fast Pass system. I've learnt so much about queues.
Laura edit- OMG this four hour video about the Star Wars hotel is on my list of 'its the middle of a deadline and you need some background video content'. I ALSO do not like theme parks- how WEIRD!
Where would you visit in a time machine? And Why?
Definitely the future - probably the year 3000. I want to see if humans survive, do we get off the planet, and how much did Futurama get right. And if humanity didn't make it, it would be very cool to see how nature has reclaimed the planet.
Favourite ever thrifted find?
Ok so I feel like I'm supposed to tell you about a one-of-a-kind handmade item that I found, but honestly? Early this year I found the perfect pair of jeans for $10. They're flattering and comfortable enough to wear all day. And as a life-time member of the sore tummy gang, comfy jeans were my white whale.
Last niche interest you dived deeply on?
Leather bag making - I watched the tutorials, bought all the stuff, and *poof* drive to make one gone :( Hopefully it will be back soon because I really do want a new bag.
What ridiculous item is on your wishlist that you want to buy but absolutely do not need?
Does an artist residency in a castle in France count?
Stay in Touch
You can find Ash on Youtube (it's so good) or see more of her work on her Instagram.
