It’s a great chance to see the film and you might bump into the gaggle of bloggy gals that are showing their wares – as well as the ever gorgeous CWA, Amitie, Kelani Fabrics and more. It might not ALL be to your taste – but life’s like that right?! You might even bump into Faythe herself!
I’ll tell you what I loved about Handmade Nation, (in three easy lessons!)
- Heaps of awesome people just like us, from all over the States, interpreting traditional crafts in their own ways. It was great to hear people talking about their creative lives, the importance of making things to sell, the importance of making things for fun, the steep learning curves they’ve negotiated, the money they’ve made, the money they haven’t made, the people they’ve met and the fun they’ve had.
- Fabric, sewing, printing, bookbinding, quilting, crochet, knitting – all up on the big screen – total craft porn! I don’t think you can watch this without wanting to make something right this minute! (Maybe book a workshop straight afterwards to alleviate these urges?!)
- Some of the awesome people said some memorable stuff! The things that stood out for me were:
The idea that Crafty people have fashioned their own culture – because the models around them didn’t quite fit – and that their Handmade Culture was all about food, music and making friends, as much as it was about making THINGS!
That Craft is about ‘casting off ‘ (haha!) the things that are thrust upon you – and making your own choices about the things you wear/buy/sit on/make/ read/ listen to/eat off/ do! It’s about acting out to suit yourself – not just slotting in without making a choice. It’s about looking after the REAL you – not the one you tot out on special occasions to impress people.
That Craft is about making your own creative decisions and not striving for perfection – and that there’s something really amazing about that.
That Craft is about ‘hanging out’. Totally. And sometimes even drinking beer.
I think that you will LOVE Handmade Nation. You have to LOVE Faythe and Cortney (and their peeps) for getting off their butts and making such a great film. It’s important, crafty times that we live in – and I think it’s really important to document what’s happening.
Obviously Faythe thought that too – so why don’t you support her very excellent vision and go see this very excellent film! Here’s a tiny tease for you:
I went and saw this yesterday and everything you said is totally true (of course!). I told people afterwards that I got a little teary during it. It was because they were describing how we were making our own culture because the existing culture doesn’t fit us. And I got teary when the crafters got this look in their faces which was like “dude, I’m doing this because it’s WHO I AM”. And that was really beautiful to me (and so much like who I am).
I’m glad I belong to a culture of crafters.
yep yep and yep, good summary. Just been to see it at one of the evening sessions. Oblivious to the storm crashing around outside as I sat watching with wonder and admiration and pride and I confess to a tear in my eye. see it if you can. or get the book.
I’d love to see it and go to the craft fair. I am just starting to get crafty 🙂
Oh I cant wait to lay my eyes on this super doco.
Thanks for sharing some words you found memorable. I really liked the following one…
That Craft is about making your own creative decisions and not striving for perfection – and that there’s something really amazing about that.
…I relate to this, for me craft is such a release. Design being my day job is more about striving for perfection and it’s nice to switch that off and just create. x
Thanks for the heads up. I’m heading into the craft show tomorrow (as soon as we get home from the market)
The day is mine!!!