craftivism.

Because craft + activism = craftivism.

Craft + DIY = Punk?

| Betsy

Below is the most visited post in my archives, one from March 23, 2004 called Why Craft = Punk Rock. In 2004, I was living in London, getting my MA and had just started writing and researching about craft and community. It was before all the press and essays and was a true time of discovery. It was the beginning of the press frenzy and interviews at the start of UK’s finding craft as a subversive act.

Fast forward 5 years, and I think of all the places craft has brought me and all the wonderful people it has allowed me to meet. I never would have thought that the tenets behind this post would influence, well, everything that followed. Everything. Where did your craft spirit originate? What gives you fire in your belly? As I’m in the process of changing gears, looking for work* that helps women find their creative spirit in developing countries, I’m reminded of this post below. And I’m wondering where this new journey will take me, who I will meet, and held safe in the knowledge that my belief in the power of craft and creativity is real and deep and pure.

*

Living in London, I’m constantly amazed by the fact that the so-called ‘subversive craft scene’ is non-existent. In the U.S., it is everywhere you look and it’s not so much a ‘call to arms’ as it is an expression of something I/you/we can do with our own hands to make our own lives as well as the lives of others a little bit better in the chaos of life around us.

Currently I’m helping out with an event called V&A Museum here in London.

There is a press frenzy surrounding it and I’ve been dealing with people who are calling knitting a ‘trend,’ a ‘fad,’ a ‘craze’ and I can’t help but get a little but frustrated by it all yet continually finding it all naive. Both my reaction to the press interest as well as their wanting to just find a creative angle to fit their byline.

I don’t do my various crafts because it’s ‘trendy,’ although I do sometimes have crafty dreams that include everyone turning off their televisions and making stuff, whether it’s knitting a sweater or making macaroni necklaces or screenprinting fliers for a local demo. Anything as long as you are letting your passion be your guide rather than what’s seen a ‘popular for the moment.’

I’m fascinated by the emails I get from people in regards to their pure love of various crafts. Some of them are confused about what I’m trying to do here with this blog or in various work I do. I want to be a resource for people that want to help other people with their various crafty endeavours. Maybe I’m helping to fill that void, or maybe I’m just taking up more space on the interweb, I’m not sure most days.

No, everything I make doesn’t go to charity. but some of it does.

The other part of my crafty dream is that everyone becomes conscious of all of their actions. By asking things like: Do I need this? Do I want to support this company? How can I help? Where does my passion lie?

It is all quite emo and I’m sure my parents would conclude that I’m now a hippie.

But it’s about more than that.

My background is firmly entrenched in punk rock. I was always cutting and pasting my own little zines (and then hiding them under my bed because I felt they were crap) or daydreaming about playing drums in the next Bikini Kill.

But I never felt like i was good enough at anything really to make my mark. It was only when I started learning to knit, crochet, embroider, screenprint, make books, felt, etc etc that I regained my own sense of self and that fire that punk rock put in my belly when I was 16.

Craft to me is very punk rock and it’s hard to read article after article about how craft is just for ‘grannies.’ I love my grandmother who knits, she is kickass, but I’m also inspired daily by the way that punk rock influences my own brand of activism and craft. craftivism, if you will.

Who knows, maybe you feel the same way, maybe not. But I can never ignore how punk rock shaped my crafting. I owe my creativity to it, and it’s so not just a trend. And some days I get homesick for people who understand that.

xo

*Yep. Got any ideas of anyone who might be looking to hire someone with these interests? Get in touch!

A Few Questions With.. Just Work Economic Initiative.

| Betsy

The Just Work Economic Initiative works to employ individuals who can’t find “traditional employment.” They recently answered a few questions for me about the work they’ve been doing!




Q: How did this all come about?

A: Through our work as volunteers in the community we heard a common concern amongst those who regularly frequent soup kitchens and other charitable organizations seeking help. While they were able to meet some of their basic needs for food, clothing and housing they were unable to find work. Hearing this, members of Grandview Calvary Baptist Church developed the idea of JustWork as a way to offer employment opportunities to individuals who would like to work, but may otherwise be seen as unemployable. JustWork officially began in February 2004 with a four-pronged strategy to assist those on the margins – offering employment counseling, a job-match program, support for those with dreams of starting a small business, and social enterprise development for individuals facing major hurdles to the workforce.

Since the last half of 2005, JustWork has focused most of its time and energy on the development of social enterprises. They wanted to assist those in their midst facing the most daunting challenges to finding work, and social enterprises seem to be the best tool available for this task.

Before the development of JustWork, a pottery studio in the basement of the church welcomed local people who weren’t able to afford classes or other studios. An open drop-in time began for people to learn play with clay and work on their own projects. The studio’s mission is to foster community, healing, acceptance dignity and creativity.

The pottery business started with the idea that it would use the existing studio and people would get paid for their pottery work. This would bring in an income as well as foster community and dignity.

Q: Why pottery? What are the benefits that people get from working there?

A: Clay is one of the easier and accessible forms of art. It is creative and completely hands-on. It is dirty but satisfying. When we don’t have much control over our lives, we can see that we can have lots of control over the clay and can make something from start to finish. We can imagine something and make it within and month-long period. This is the gift of clay, the therapy of clay.

The benefits of work here are the community that is formed as they work together, creating in a small space, the dignity that is gained from seeing their pieces bought and loved by others, and being able to work well, contributing to good work for the income.

Q: Two of the biggest rewards of working with clay?

A: We have control over the clay, as I mentioned above, that the process and the control and the molding is up to us, and that we can be creative in this process.

It is also hands-on…working with the hands and the body is both redeeming and healing.

Q: Do they find that despite their varying living conditions or situations, they connect via the pottery…not only the learning experience, but also in the craft itself?

A: There is a community that is forming in our studio. They talk as they work together about their plight, their struggle, their daily needs, their recovery. They have become friends with each other and see each other outside of the studio and work. They worry about each other and try to take care of one another.


For more information about Just Work, check out their Etsy shop and blog. Just can also follow them on Twitter over here.

Hand/Eye Magazine.

| Betsy

HAND/EYE magazine just may be my new favorite thing. Design, Creativity, Beauty, Philanthropy. How am I only just now discovering this gem? Through the Twitterverse, where happily, they found me! Thank you technology!


HAND/EYE’s Mission Statement:

HAND/EYE is an independent, international publication which explores the nexus between design and development, culture and commerce, art and craft, and environment and ethics. HAND/EYE’s goal is to engender intelligent debate among artisans, exporters, designers, artists, wholesalers and importers, retailers, and consumers so that all may make smart, ethical, and inspired decisions about their activities.

HAND/EYE articles will discuss design as a tool for development and income generation, as well as for environmental and social progress. The magazine will also discuss innovative and ethical retail practices as a force for more enlightened and informative consumerism, and will look at NGO programs addressing artisan income generation and community well being. We will showcase relevant new product for the consideration of retailers and consumers.

Through the work of accomplished photographers, we will also look at artisan life in a visual context. In interviews with inspiring creators and do-ers of all kinds, HAND/EYE will offer nourishing food for thought to all readers.

Proceeds from sales of HAND/EYE will be divided among several non-profit agencies working to address artisan issues.


While I’m well impressed by all of it, it must be said I’m especially in love with the textiles section. Thanks HAND/EYE for all the beautiful and informative and helpful work that you do!

Is It the “Real Truth?” Or Is It Just A “Yarn?”

| Betsy

One of the coolest things about having this blog and writing about craftivism is that people send me amazing links, stories, and photos they think I’ll like. And they are, without exception, all incredibly inspiring and awesome. This one got eaten by my inbox for a bit, but nonetheless, wanted to share it with you. The photo and article come from here. I wish I knew more about the person who sent me a very mysterious email about it, but, for now, it shall remain a mystery! Have anything craftivism-related or inspiring to share? Get in touch!

Politics/conspiracy theories aside, read about what he’s doing if you don’t agree why. The what part is why I’m posting it. I’m staying out of it and loving the engagement of the community and quest for open dialogue.

There were conspiracy theories abound in Stroud town centre today, as a street performer encouraged shoppers to question the ‘truth’ behind the war on terror.

The performer, who lives in the Stroud area, held a ‘truth’ sign as he worked an old wooden spinning wheel to symbolise the difference between the ‘real truth’ and the so-called ‘yarns’ that were spun after the 9/11 terrorist attacks in America. Wearing white face paint, a brown leather jacket and a black top hat with feathers, he said the point of the exercise was to test people’s reaction and inspire others to debate the issue.

“Really it is just a visual pun,” he said.

“But I hope it encourages inquisitive people to question the war on terror because it is something that is going to affect us all for a very long time to come.”

Totally Crushed Out.

| Betsy

So, I totally have a new craftivism crush. Following your heart. Biking. Documenting the lives of crafters. Donating money to charity. All done by one man. It makes you wonder, what is your heart telling you to do, now, doesn’t it?

Clicking on the map above will take you directly to the interactive map of Nick Hand’s bike trip around England. The clockwise trek he’s taking is mapped out in one of his photos, posted above. Ok. So he’s biking. A lot. I’m sure this means he has really nice calves by now… But how is this related to craft? Well, on this trip he’s taking the time to stop and talk with crafters.

His soundslides, short documentary films, provide more inspiration and ideas than you ever thought possible, and you haven’t even gotten off the couch.

What do I love most about this project? He had an idea, ran (biked?) with it, recognized its dual value (to him and to us) and set off to find where people’s hearts really lie, outside of the telly or radio or newspapers. But that’s not all he’s doing… the money he raises on his ride will be donated to the Parkinson’s Disease Society.

And he’s sharing the stories and wisdom of the people he meets along the way with us. So when you have a minute, take some time out, watch, listen, and learn.

Many thanks to the lovely and wonderful Sally Fort for passing along the link! She also passed on this article about whether or not the UK needs another contemporary art museum. Wow. Am gobsmacked.