Hip to Hook – and some musings on craft
I signed up to Sarah London’s Hip to Hook crochet circle a few weeks ago – it’s hard for me to resist anything crochet! Shortly after a parcel arrived:
two shades/types of yarn, and crochet instructions, a pattern for a flower motif and a stitch pattern. I’ll show you soon what I made! It was fun to take my crochet out of my usual comfort zone, and have someone else introduce me to other yarn choices and stitches. I was very happy with my little parcel! Which lets me segue nicely into my next topic.
There was an article in The Age on Sunday that seems to have stirred up some consternation! There are a few comments on it here and here and here. It’s also something I’ve been thinking about and discussing with friends quite a lot lately.
When I read the article, I didn’t read anything negative into it! Conversely, I saw loads of positives, talking about how more and more people are learning crafts. I was also excited the lovely Pip was on the cover and quoted in the article – since she is definitely an advocate of all things positive about crafting, like community, giving something new a go, sharing skills, and encouraging others.
I do think that the discussion has raised some salient points. To me though, I craft for my sanity. Some people craft as a business – that’s not my scene. I’m not interested in selling my craft. But if I was, I’d want to make sure that my technical skills were up to scratch and that my workmanship was good. I love to craft. I love the process of choosing fabrics or yarns, deciding on the pattern, and putting everything together. I’m not original, and have never claimed to be – I don’t even consider myself particularly creative. But I love making stuff, and my skills are improving all the time. Other people inspire me and educate me. I enjoy what I do, and I’ve really enjoyed connecting with craftspeople – which wouldn’t have happened as easily without the internet and craft blogs.
After all, for every craft blogger there could be another ten (or fifty or one hundred) people out there happilly crafting away, producing exquisite embroidery, comfy crochet, original knitting, superb basketweaving, perfectly fitted clothing, superb bags, even fantastic macrame, all quietly at home (and who may or may not be selling what they make). But not getting involved in an online community. Crafting isn’t a new thing! I don’t believe you have to be professionally trained to be a good crafter, but I don’t believe that you can be a good crafter without practice and enthusiasm. That’s why it’s great for people to share their learning process through their blogs, and receive encouragement and guidance.
But that’s just my opinion! I reckon that everyone has to start somewhere, some learn extremely quickly, and good on anyone who has a go. No divisions in the craft community necessary – but if you’re selling stuff, please make sure it’s good quality!
I just did an essay on societal trend towards craft for a subject at theological college here in Sydney. I think it’s an incredible movement in our world that has never stopped ‘moving’ so to speak but has just been more prevalent in the ‘trendy’ circles due to technological progress. It’s also probably heaps more ‘hip’ due to the green push to reuse and recycle.
I agree with you, Lara. We do it because we love to. We share our skills, and that happens to be online — and that helps to inspire others to go ahead with their own creative dreams. How far we take those dreams is entirely up to each one of us.
For me, it’s fun, relaxing, creative and challenging — which is all I ask for. And I’m definitely evidence that blogs inspire, because it was your dear blog that started me on my crochet binge (and look at today’s tempting loveliness! I can’t wait to see what you’ve made).
Lara
Your post here is EXACTLY how I feel about that article and the message it was sending, Everything you have just summarised is perfectly..
Well done, now lets all get back to our crochet etc…I am a little hooked on Ravelry at the moment..ha ha get it!!
Jo
Wheee. Nothing like a little storm in a teacup to add some excitement to the day, is there? Different people seem to have different ‘issues’ with the Age article. On my read-through, I didn’t really get a sense that it was really about the art-vs-craft debate (though that does go around periodically, doesn’t it?). I thought it was more a return to that whole New vs Old-school crafting (‘hip’ vs ‘hip-replacement’?) divide, which always irritates me. If we don’t all learn how to co-exist, how are skills to be passed on to new generation? Surely that problem will affect the quality of our crafting more that any other? Existing skills can and should be used to create a new craft aesthetic – there should be no need for the up-and-comers to reinvent the wheel, so to speak.
Aaargh. I’m rambling. I should get a blog or something (oh, wait…!)
Thoughtful post Lara.
I share your viewpoint. I make stuff because I love it. I do sell a few things but only for a bit of pocket money.
I was fortunate to come from a family of makers & had older friends who happily taught me new skills. I was also attended a school that had a huge art/craft department so was able to swan around the textile, garment construction, print making, ceramics and painting & drawing studios taking a bit of this & mixing it with a bit of that.
I know that there are creative spirits out there who haven’t had the opportunity to learn these time honoured skills. They are learning to craft from YouTube, online tutes, books or from generous souls at crafty get togethers. Some of these people may, become crafters of great skill if given the chance & some will just be pleased to have had a go.
I hope that some of the stuff I make & little how to’s I share may encourage others to have a crack at making stuff too.
I am constantly striving to improve myself and my skills and do agree whole heartedly that handmade items for sale should be well made.
Like you, I didn’t see anything negative in the article at all… Craft Vic – being a body for high-end craft professionals….are all about high-end professional craft…. What else would you expect to hear them say?
I’ve been a Craft Vic member off and on for 15 years, so I know where they’re coming from – it’s a niche end, and one which rightly has a place. It represents people who have spent years honing their craft at a professional level. I think they were just put in there to broaden the context of the article, but the main thrust of the article was all about the exciting new craft scene and how anyone can have a go.
My two cents worth…? Newbie, indie… whatever.. no crafters need feel unwelcome nor waste time worrying about a heirachical system – they should simply enjoy the creative journey that they are on, and delight in the things they make. There is room for everyone in this crafty house. And there’s nothing wrong with putting a price tag on anything handmade as long as the price is consistent with the level of quality in the finished product.
Shall I get off this soapbox now..?
Hope to talk soon, Lara… were you going to drop in today?
Like you I read the article as a positive -that more people around the world were tapping in to their inner creatitvity and making things in various mediums that satisfied themselves. This has got to be a good thing that at last people aren’t content to go in to a chain shop and come out dressed like a clone. People are individuals and I am so happy that Blogland is a place where i can meet such people.
For me when I call a person’s making “Art”, It means I would like to look at it over and over as if it were hanging in a gallery. It’s a personal taste thing. Conversely there are things in art galleries I wouldn’t pay to see.
To me a professional gets paid and an amateur doesn’t. So far I have given things to charities or as gifts but I am toying with the idea of selling some things I can make in time for Christmas. This is purely based on people asking me about my own ideas and if I could sell them. I have put off doing this because I wanted to be sure I could make something I would be proud to own with no defects. I wouldn’t want a bad reputation before I had started. 🙂
I make things because I want something utilitarian to be prettier or because I need something to serve a purpose. I think women and mothers have done this since we all wore animal skins. I find it a high calling. But I also feel so sorry for people who, needing something, have to go look for it in stores instead of making it for themselves. I feel their lives must be somewhat empty. Everybody needs to do something, gardening, music, or making things. Art is sometimes a little pretentious.
What an interesting discussion this has been around the place. It has led me to do lots of thinking about my own making as well as thinking about the things that others make. As always, I find Nikki’s perspective extremely useful and insightful. Her thoughts about Craft Vic and the role that they play really make sense to me.
I can’t believe you don’t think of yourself as the creative whiz that you are.
Hip Hip Hooray, I am with you. I think there are a lot of us out there that craft becuase we always have, it’s what we do. We go stir crazy if we don’t. People who don’t make and create just don’t get it. I am glad for others that crafting is becoming popular, but really that doesn’t affect me at all.
As for the selling your wares thing, I think that if you are charging money for something it needs to be to a certain standard. After all no-one likes buying something and having it fall apart. But really, let’s not get too snoby about it.
Nicely put!