Craftivism
It is my belief that most of us on both sides of this great political chasm that exists in our country want the same things. Peace, prosperity, safety, clean air to breath, clean water to drink and a planet that can sustain us. The complex problems facing us as a country, but more importantly as a species, demand that we find a way to work together. These basic human aspirations shared by all people across the country and throughout the world should make for a unification of purpose.
I have been doing a lot of reading and thinking in the last couple months, searching for a way that I could make a difference. Barbara Kingsolver’s recent essay urging everyone to contribute according to their own abilities, was inspirational. “Craftivism” is defined as a world wide movement that operates at the intersection of craft and activism; just what I had in mind! While I have done quite a lot of petition signing, emailing, letter writing and donating to charity since the election, I wanted to also bring my own talents forward to create works that in some way could help to make the world a better place.
I have been an avid outdoors person for the whole of my life, spending time almost every day hiking in the woods, cross country skiing, and enjoying being out on Adirondack lakes in various small boats. I find a great deal of personal solace and artistic inspiration in the natural world. I passionately believe that we must act to preserve our wild places and the balance in our environment. The Sierra Club, 350.org and NRDC are all working hard to educate and influence public policy to these ends. I have already donated to these organizations, but I wanted to do more to promote awareness about climate change in particular, and raise money to benefit these organizations. I designed a new pendant and earrings which I am titling “Rising Waters”. I will be donating 10% of each sale from the Rising Waters series to the above mentioned organizations.
Like many of you, my family and I participated in the Sisters March on January 21. The world wide turnout was just amazing and a wonderful ray of hope amidst all of the negative energy. I believe that we must continue the impetus forward as compassionate caring people. This piece, which I have titled “Onward” came to me in a flash of inspiration. In the center of the circle I have put the arrow symbol indicating our direction and momentum, surrounded by the colors blending together, symbolizing our diversity and unity as a nation. For those who want to spend a little less, I will be offering this piece with no enamel for $55. Both are available for purchase on my website. I will be donating 10% of each sale to Doctors without Borders to support their brave and important work.
I hope that you will join me in my venture in Craftivism! Onward!