Guest Post: Revisiting Craftivism

Sometimes the view of another helps you see something in a different light. Here, Laura Delooze – known to me for her wine and cocktail knowledge (and her fab dress sense) took a new look at Craftivism and finds a reason to pick up a needle.

Craftivism – a blend of craft and activism.

I am not an activist. I have never been on a demonstration, never had dreadlocks and have certainly never burned my bra; these puppies need all the support they can get. However, I do like painting, drawing; anything creative but I am especially drawn to words, slogans and the way these can be incorporated into a piece of art to create something truly powerful. So, when Charlie mentioned the Craftivist Collective, I was intrigued. I began my research as any professional would; I googled.

It turns out that one of their key slogans is “A spoonful of craft helps the activism go down” – making activism and taking a stand against social issues that little bit more palatable by creating beautiful crafts with inspiring messages. Makes sense to me. And in case you are wondering (as I was), the average “craftivist” is not 95 years old, in fact there is no average – they span decades, genders, those with dreadlocks, those without; to unite one and all in the Craftivist Collective.

I found out lots about the movement, but my favourite thing was discovering that the craftivists made hankies for bankers with messages encouraging them to use their influence to do good!

Imagine what else you could do along this vein..”Make tea not war” knitted tea cosies for politicians?! A mass visit to a cut price clothes store ablaze with the slogan “A t-shirt for life; not a life for a t-shirt” – protesting against third world sweat shops and our throw away culture?!

Hey, maybe I’m more of an activist than I thought?! *Bra still firmly on though*

Although Craftivism is a relatively new movement, a new book hopes to take the idea into the mainstream by showing readers existing projects, giving them ideas for their own and, most importantly, teaching them how to create similar pieces for themselves. All of this, bound into a beautiful book that would look cool on your coffee table or make the perfect gift for a crafty friend.

So, I’ve found out that Craftivism is ballsy, creative, inspiring, hopeful, resourceful; Wonderful! I get it; and having been resolving simultaneously to be a little less selfish this year and to get back into crafting, I think I’ve found the perfect way to do both.