03 Dec Christmas Confessions of a Craftivist
Here is our December newsletter, received by craftivists around the world. If you want the January issue in your inbox, sign up on the right-hand side of this page.
Dear Craftivists
Ok so I admit it, I was tempted by all of those ‘Black Friday’ bargains last week (who wasn’t!?). I’ve never seen such discounts in newsletters from companies sitting in my inbox & shops tempting me in. I admit that shopping can make me happy, there are so many beautiful things in the world I could buy(!) & I know it only brings short-term happiness and is a guilty pleasure but I can always find an excuse why I NEED that thing.
However…. I also can’t and don’t want to ignore that part of me that niggles away, reminding me that this way of life isn’t sustainable and sometimes it can be harmful to people & planet.
So I’m confused! I want to boycott presents and buy them too. And at the same time I also want to shout off the rooftops that I truly believe our Craftivism products (book, kits, etc) are brilliant & everyone should have them in their Christmas stockings and use them over the holidays to help us all be our best selves to help not harm the world & people in it. That’s why we made them & you can check out the wonderful reviews of people who have bought our stuff here. But isn’t that a contradiction? Am I a hypocrite? Argh being a craftivist is tough, the world is complex and often canadian health online pharmacy there are no answers, just more questions…
William Morris said:
“Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful”
So here are 4 things we think are useful, beautiful or both:
Activism tool: Be an Amnesty International’s Pocket Protester. It is easy to join and has real impact. Its a little text one in a while (not too often). I use it a lot.
Perfect holiday film: Mr Smith Goes to Washington is a warmhearted film about a humble man standing up to his corrupt peers in politics.
Why not ask for an Ethical Consumer subscription for Christmas? It’s super useful when we actually need to buy stuff & want to be as ethical as possible.
This is a very inspiring book: Beautiful Trouble. Showcasing social movements blurring the boundaries between artist and activist, hacker and dreamer.
Whether you love Christmas or struggle with it, don’t forget to look after yourself and others over this holiday season.
PS. Thanks for all of the replies to whether I should do vlogs. The answer was a resounding yes you would find them useful. I’ve made 4 so far and will upload them from January – It would be ace to hear if they are helpful and if you want particular questions answered in the next ones. For those who prefer reading our blogs to vlogs don’t worry Crafivist Alice C is going to summarise them in blogs for you 🙂 x
Sharon Potter
Posted at 21:09h, 21 DecemberSuch a lovely project to be invited into. We at WP group in Kent have got together for two sew, crochet and knit evenings. The banter was priceless and useful as well as supportive in many different ways. All agreed each evening had been creative and sustaining in skills and friendships old and new. Lots of reflections about, mothers,aunts and grannies nana’s who have passed their skills over the years.
Craftivist Collective
Posted at 11:38h, 22 DecemberThanks so much for sharing Sharon 🙂 Sounds lovely x