handmade

just one more cup…

| Betsy

I started making 80%* of my holiday presents myself a few years ago.

Of course, this makes the time around the holidays a bit more stressful, but I think it’s an effort well worth it. The people getting the gifts you toiled over may never know that you almost lost a finger during a crafty mishap or almost burned down the kitchen in an attempt to make the perfect batch of vegan chocolate chip cookies, but they will know that you did more than just run to Wal-Mart at the last minute.

You get the joy that occurs when you’re up at 3am trying to wrap all your scarves correctly, singing along to Slayer or Billie Holiday or Lungfish with the stereo cranked up. Somewhat unlike the fear of trying to get your science project finished before the bus comes with “Thriller” playing on the boombox, you are a bit worried that your efforts will fall apart once you hand them over, but are proud nonetheless.

You might be a little bit sleep-deprived when it’s all said and done, but hey, that’s why there is coffee.**

*In case you’re wondering, why not 100%?, well, some people I adore just don’t think that handmade presents are where’s it at. Yes, they’re misguided, but I forgive them.

**I wish coffee could be ingested through an IV drip. Between essays and making presents, I am practically never seen awake these days without a cup of coffee in my hand. I promise that one day (sooner rather than later) I will stop being so damn emo and write more about actual craftivist stuff that is helpful. As for now, get crackin’ on those presents!

thank you, jen!

| Betsy

I was sent a link to the very wonderful subversivecrossstitch.com a few weeks ago, many apologies for just now posting it. I’m tempted to order a kit for my grandmother, but then again, seeing that the last cross-stitch kit she gave me was a bookmark with a cow on it, it might not be such a grand idea.

Suddenly, that time of year is upon us where you realize that you have less than two months before the holidays and the gift giving shall soon commence.

In a very small bloggy way, I want you to take just a minute and think about making your own holiday cards and presents. There is a transformation that occurs when you make something and deliver it to someone you care about, something much more sincere and cheerful than a store bought gift.

The act of making something with your own hands, crafting it specifically for a particular person is a teeny tiny bit of activism, because it’s fighting against the mass consumerism that consumes us all.

Make your own books (see: Exlibris Anonymous), get all Martha Stewart, go to your local thrift shop and find things to redecorate, use some of Kathy Cano Murillo’s fantastic ideas.

See what happens when you start using your hands to say what’s in your heart.

e-zines are good for you…

| Betsy

Am happy to report that I shall have a computer of my own soon, and thus will no longer be writing tiny little entries from internet cafes around London. That also means more links soon, as I need to organize them into different categories. Thankfully, I know too many badass people who are doing too many badass things.

Keep checking here as I have some longer pieces ready for your perusal, including bits on how to make Manly Crafts, Environmental Crafting and Disabled Crafting. But first things first, I need my computer!

For now, please check out this article from the excellent e-zine knitty, which was brought to my attention by the zine mistress herself, Kelly.

Also worth reading is my friend Niku’s article about crafting in another e-zine, indiciti, which can be found by going to the site and clicking the link titled Craftastic! It features my very first photography credit as well!

If you’re done with reading and just want to act, check out the Resources for Organizing from the good folks at United for Peace & Justice.