I know I've been silent for a while- it's been an incredibly busy summer- but I had to stop and put down a few cents worth about a recent movie going experience. Yesterday I ventured into "the city" along with two of my crafter friends, Susanne and Megan, for a screening of "Handmade Nation." This simple documentary by Faythe Levine about the current crafting community in America was both delightful and inspiring. It was great to get a glimpse into other peoples' crafting lives and be able to relate on some level to what they were doing. The common ground on which all of the interviewees seemed to stand was simply the need to make something and their desire to share it with the world.
There was also a bit said about speaking out against the mass market and not supporting poor labor practices, as well as recycling and re purposing through crafting in order to minimize waste. These ideas used to only come from a stereotype of extremists who wore a lot of hemp jewelry that happened to go perfectly with their Birkenstock sandals. There was a time when I felt like I would have to stop shaving my legs and live in a tree in order to fit in with the arts and crafts folks. I also thought I could never pass as deviant enough to have art cred and gain the respect of the people who could pull off the look of sunglasses with heart-shaped frames and pink lenses. But the community I saw represented by the filmmaker was so much more balanced and non-threatening than I expected. Yes, there were a few people that most would label "weirdos" but there were also "normal" people who, at the end of the day just desire respect for their craft.
Overall, it was an enjoyable experience. Special thanks to Susanne for having her finger on the pulse of all things fun and "indie" and sharing this event with me and Megan.
There was also a bit said about speaking out against the mass market and not supporting poor labor practices, as well as recycling and re purposing through crafting in order to minimize waste. These ideas used to only come from a stereotype of extremists who wore a lot of hemp jewelry that happened to go perfectly with their Birkenstock sandals. There was a time when I felt like I would have to stop shaving my legs and live in a tree in order to fit in with the arts and crafts folks. I also thought I could never pass as deviant enough to have art cred and gain the respect of the people who could pull off the look of sunglasses with heart-shaped frames and pink lenses. But the community I saw represented by the filmmaker was so much more balanced and non-threatening than I expected. Yes, there were a few people that most would label "weirdos" but there were also "normal" people who, at the end of the day just desire respect for their craft.
Overall, it was an enjoyable experience. Special thanks to Susanne for having her finger on the pulse of all things fun and "indie" and sharing this event with me and Megan.
