crafters + makers.

People who make stuff, whether they call it art, craft, folk art, outsider art or something else entirely.

JP Flintoff’s How to Change the World!

| Betsy

First off, thanks to Sarah of the Craftivist Collective, whose Facebook post tipped me off to this this morning. When I was in London a year or so ago, I had the change to meet JP Flintoff in person, who Sarah told me was “lovely.” And, after we had coffee (thanks for the cuppa, JP!), I fully concurred.

I was lucky enough to receive a copy of Sew Your Own for free, so this morning I bought a copy of his new book, How to Change the World, published by the wonderful The School of Life in London.

Here’s a lovely clip of JP talking about how you can change the world, which has made me excited to read the book!

The video clip is from here.

Now go start changin’ the world or something, y’hear?


You can order How to Change the World, as well as his other books, here.

To read more from JP, check out his blogs, JP Flintoff and Making Things. You can also find him over at @jpflintoff.

Craftivism in the News This Week… Suh-weet!

| Betsy

Text from here. Photo from here.

On Monday I got an email, followed by a phone call with Bill Harris who works for the city.

He was very nice, and said the city’s hands were tied and they tried to find a way to keep them — but they have to go.

Councilmember Lorie Zapf is collecting emails of support at loriezapf@sandiego.gov to show community backing and find a way to keep them in Clairemont. Send her your story, and let her know how much you like them!

Bill Harris gave me this statement to post:

The City is forced to announce that the Stop Sign Flowers must come down. Even with the great community spirit this effort has generated, there are just too many restrictions to overcome. City staff looked through state law and local policies trying to find some way of allowing the flowers to remain in place. Unfortunately, particularly with traffic control signs and including all other City assets, there is just no way to retain the works where they now are.

We hope that the flower-makers will work with other site owners – private businesses, other agencies, business improvement districts and community groups – to find new homes for the flowers. This is a fun program that should easily capture the imagination of our communities in other, less restricted, locations.

City crews will not remove any of the installations for the next ten days unless they become a hazard. It is hoped that those who originally installed the flowers will take that time to remove and preserve the work. Following the ten day period, City crews will be instructed to remove and dispose of anything affixed to City assets as it is seen or reported. The yarn and leaf structures cannot be saved when removed by City staff.

I will be available to answer specific questions about the City’s direction via email from billharris@sandiego.gov

For a map of San Diego street flowers go here.

See how you can make more here.

One of the sweetest things about this project is that the self-proclaimed “knitting guy” started to learn to knit “to teach my daughter. She received a “learn to knit” craft kit as a present, but the instructions were sparse and hard to understand. So, I decided to learn how in order to show her. I had thought about learning for a few years, so this was just the push I needed. That was about four years ago, and we have both been knitting off and on since.”

Also, there have been several awesome articles online about craftivism lately:

*Stir to Action piece from the Wellington Craftivism Collective
*Crafting the Future We Want over at Tck Tck Tck
*A lovely interview with the lovely Craftivist Collective over at HUCK magazine

And if that isn’t enough, and you’re STILL feeling crafty, go check out the the Blood Bag Project. Click the pic to see the gallery of submitted blood bags. You can also follow the project’s progress here

Now go and make somethin’ now, won’t ya?

x

How to Properly Celebrate Your First Home.

| Betsy

I discovered this wonderful project from the brilliant Tumblr Project Craftivism.

What struck me most about the Project Craftivism post was the inclusion of Terry Quick’s statement that the uterus is “the room we all came from;” hence, it’s literally our first embrace and introduction to home.

So I clicked the pic, which led me to the following text and photo:

I am asking participants to be a part of The Uterus Flag Project. I discovered this need while doing my MFA- Feminism, Fiber Arts and Craftivism and for my final grad show, July 2012, I’d like to double (want 100 more). My personal political concerns are about the over medicalization of women, and specifically having an unnecessary hysterectomy. There are lots of other concerns regarding women’s health. You have a story, please share! Please participate. Send me your postal address, and I’ll send you a packet!

So if you feel like celebrating your first home, too, consider clicking on the second photo above and getting involved with Terry’s project.

And if you feel like further celebrating everyone’s first home and getting political while doing so, go check out the Snatchel Project over at Goverment-Free VJJ! This project comes from the brilliant talented Donna Druchunas and Annie Modesitt. The knitted womb below is by MK Carroll and is a pattern from Knitty.

Craftivism and the Self, Part 2

| Betsy

So last week over on Twitter I asked a question. And here are the answers. (You can find Part 1 over here.)


Bonus answers!

Sylvie suggested “transcendental craft” as a name for this.

Judith left a comment that added What you wrote about is a sort of art therapy, where we can express ourselves in ways that help us heal. I know knitting means a lot to me, helping me center and relax in the midst of stress. However, I think sometimes helping others will allow us to open wounds and heal ourselves.

And around the web regarding craftivism-ishness:

Casper ter Kuile wrote an excellent post regarding “strategy and craftivism” here.

Heather who’s been tearing it up over at Counter Craft wrote an excellent post called Adventures in Mindmapping Craftivism *and* then let me know about this sweet post over at Trend Tablet called When Design and Craft Meet.

And because it’s Friday, here’s a lovely post over at EcoSalon called 20 Pickup Lines for Knitters (Thanks, @snufkin!)

Olek Solo Show Opening Today in London!

| Betsy

The show includes real emails and texts Olek has received, “immortalising intimate details of her past relationships,”” according to the Village Voice blog Runnin Scared.

The article, which you can read entirely here features an interview with Olek:

…”Crochet came to me as a result of being totally broke,” she continues. “I had to make a costume in NYC and I had no cash for a sewing machine. I used any materials I could possible find…I even cut my sheets into strips to make pieces. Being resourceful is in my blood as you can see. Crochet is for poor people…that’s why you can find it in almost any culture across the globe. I am just a tiny spider who walked at night in East London collecting items soon to be transformed into crocheted pieces.”

The show, I do not expect to be a mother but I do expect to die alone, will be open in Tony’s Gallery from January 27 – March 23.