project craftivism

Craftivism, Angela Davis and Craft as Therapy

| Betsy

This lovely image was sent to me by a lovely Swedish woman named Julia who is working on a film about craftivism and DIY. If you have any projects you’d like to share with her, or have ideas on who she could contact in Europe, you can contact her here.

I love this image of Angela Davis that she sent because not only is it beautiful, but it also speaks to the many different ways that people see craftivism. In a word, it’s a celebration. A crafty one, if you will.

Lately I’ve been tooling around with the idea of craftivism for the self, a sort of activism for the self, wherein one can right themselves with creativity and work through various problems, crises, episodes, occasions, etc. etc. I’ve mentioned it over on Twitter a several times and there has been quite popular response to more exploration of healing yourself through craft. (If activism is bettering a cause that you care about, why can’t it not be about yourself? Because in order to best help those -issues and people- that you care about you have to be your best self, no?)

I’ve even wondered about what to call such a thing. Cinnamon suggested perhaps CraftEsteem on Twitter yesterday, which I thought was quite lovely? And I had an idea that I’ve talked with Carrie about regarding depression and solitary confinement in prisons, which is still in a thinky think stage. Maybe you have some good ideas on this, or are interested in hearing more, or just dig the idea that one can do a piece of work featuring Angela Davis and include it in the realm of “craftivism.”

No matter which, I’m glad you’re along with the ride with me after I’ve popped out, cleared my head, and decided about where I want to move forward. Because there are so many people championing craftivism (to name a few with craftivism in the name: Craftivist Collective, Wellington Craftivist Collective, Project Craftivism, Craftivist! AMAZING!) these days (which is mindblowingly awesome) that I needed to take some time out to think about how I can best help this little -ism move forward in the world on the Good Ship Craftivism and I’m thinking that delving more into the therapeutic, psychological, mental health side of things is where I need to go next.

Perhaps you’ll see it fit to join me and/or tell like-minded others?

Love,
Betsy

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.