An Airbnb interactive online class featuring a local artist not only teaches Hanna Hussein a new skill but also provides her hours of fun and 'calming therapy'
THE past few months have undeniably been unusual, what with the Movement Control Order and the subsequent new normal in our daily lives and activities.
For me, to not being able to travel and see the world is a strange experience. Most of us definitely need time off from our usual routines. Every so often, we all need to do something new and fun.
So when I hear that Airbnb has launched a new way to get people connected and travel virtually, I am overjoyed!
It is exciting to learn that for its firstever Online Experience based out of Malaysia, Airbnb is featuring Marini Ramlan a.k.a Nini Marini, a well-known figure in the local art scene.
She has created artworks in a variety of mediums including ceramics, textiles, metals and even artificial intelligence.
Since early last month, Nini has started sharing her vibrant aesthetics through the Airbnb Online Experience, offering a craft class on how to weave using t-shirts.
Intrigued, I waste no time to book a slot!
STEP 1: PREPARATION
The Airbnb mobile app is a user-friendly platform. Making a booking is just a click away. It is fun to browse through all the interesting choices on the menu.
As it isn't the first time that I'm using the app, I find what I need with ease. You can either explore the Online Experiences bar or just type in your location at the search column for a list of experiences available for booking.
Nini's Weaving with Tees craft class is priced at only RM50, which is reasonable. Guests the world over who have joined her online class have given her quite a few good reviews.
As it is an interactive class, Nini keeps the group size up to six people. There are only a few available dates per week.
Once a booking is confirmed, the host will send a message to guests to brief them on the material list as well as to guide them on the preparation of materials before the class commences.
For Nini's class, I'll need to get a pair of sharp scissors (preferably fabric or craft scissors), old and unused t-shirts (a minimum of two large men's tees is required) and a round flat object (a plastic plate, baking tray or anything with a 25cm diameter) to be used as a weaving loom.
After going through my kitchen, I cannot find a suitable round object for my weaving loom. Nini tells us that we can make do with cardboard that's cut into the appropriate size.
On the day of my class, I click on the link provided on the Upcoming Trips column which takes me directly to the Zoom mobile app.
Once connected to the Zoom meeting room, I am greeted by a beaming smile and hellos from Nini and a few other guests. Everyone is as excited as I am, especially since we are mostly newbies trying our hand at handicraft.
It is the first time we are meeting each other (virtually) and Nini makes sure we feel welcome with warm introductions and small talk to break the ice.
While waiting for the rest to join, Nini takes us on a "tour" of her studio which is based in Kuala Lumpur. It is a cosy set-up where she does all her artistic magic.
"I believe the best way to make art is to be in a state of play. I want to encourage more people to embrace art by having a space for them to create," she says.
Sharing a little bit about her background, Nini tells us of her corporate role in the media industry in the past two decades, balancing it with her love for art. She resigned last year to concentrate on her passion.
Her mother, she reveals, is a masterweaver – a talent she has undoubtedly passed on to Nini.
STEP 2: MAKING THE YARN
The Zoom class begins with Nini showing us the first step — cutting the t-shirts to make yarn.
According to Nini, the material of the t-shirt affects the end product. Ladies t-shirts are flimsy while men's tees result in a rougher yarn.
"Experiment with different materials for different effects," she advises.
T-shirts without plastic prints are better as those with these prints do not stretch well.
The simplest way to make the yarn is to cut across the t-shirt from underneath the armpit area. Remove all the seams. Then pull and stretch it until it becomes a circular yarn.
"You want to do at least 10 or 12 of these so that you can tie them around the circular loop," she says.
A second method is to fold the t-shirt in half, ensuring there is at least 5cm of gap at the side. Then cut the tee into strips.
Next, put your hand through the t-shirt and cut it diagonally.
First cut one section diagonally and continue from point to point until you have a long strip. Stretch it at least three times.
Nini then shows us how to join two pieces of fabric strings to make a long yarn.
STEP 3: WEAVING WORK
To begin weaving, we have to be ready with our choices of weaving loom.
Actually the bigger it is the better but more time will be required during weaving.
Firstly, tie the base strings into spokes, much like those in a wheel, around the weaving loom. Aim for more than 12 spokes as the end result will be better.
I manage to make 16 spokes out of my husband's old grey t-shirt, tying them around my cardboard loom.
"It needs to be an odd number," explains Nini, showing me how to pull the last two spokes together so that now I'll have 15 instead of 16.
I then have to nudge the spokes so that they are all evenly spaced.
Satisfied with the weaving base made by the participants, Nini continues with the next important step — weaving.
To start weaving, she ties a knot in the middle using another yarn, and then she starts weaving by putting it underneath, over, under, over and continuing the process until one section is completed.
As best as I can, I do what Nini does, using pink yarn that I have cut from my old t-shirt. I am aiming for a pastel final product, a colour tone that I really love.
"You want your weaving to be fairly snug so that it is all nice and neat," she continues.
From the base, Nini adds, we can either make a basket by weaving it very tightly or aim for a flat coaster by weaving it loosely.
To finish the piece, tie a simple knot at the last spoke. That done, you then untie all the spokes. Continue to tie a knot on all the spokes in pairs.
"Last but not least is to make tassels to make it extra pretty!" says Nini.
It has been two hours since the class started, a therapeutic session thus far.
She concludes by showing us how to tie colourful yarns onto the side of our weaved product for a vibrant character.
THE VERDICT
The class has been fun and relaxing. For me, it is calming therapy and Nini is such as wonderful teacher.
Her instructions are very clear and simple to understand. In just a span of two hours, we have all learnt a new skill.
It is a plus point that Nini uses two camera positions to demonstrate the steps — one face-front and one top-down to give a bird eye's view of the steps.
The class is beginner-friendly, ideal for those with no art background and even children!
It has been such an interesting experiencethat even after bidding farewell to the participants, I am still in the mood to do more weaving. I end up spending half a day making colourful coasters out of more old t-shirts.
