Craftivism allows for creativity to cross boundaries
By Gill Stott
My Avon ‘lady’ is called Brian. He’s a retired widower who has taken up an Avon round to help combat the loneliness of covid-19 restrictions. Back in the 60s when I was a child it was unheard of for a man to be in such a role, yet it was a man who started it all. David H McConnell was a visionary, a pioneer and above all a champion of women. McConnell believed in the power of the community and was passionate about giving women economic freedom. Today, 135 years on Avon has also helped open the door to a more accepting, inclusive society.
I greatly admire Jamaican born Jeanne Barnes who in her late sixties, following the death of her husband, went back to University to study law, qualifying as a barrister at age 71. Jeanne now in her 80s and still practising, mostly pro-bono work championing those who can’t afford legal support. All this achieved at a time of life when she would have been expected to ‘retire’ far less take on a new and challenging career.
Challenging Limitations is about pushing boundaries and doing something different which I don’t find easy. I’m a good armchair critic but I don’t like to upset the balance. It takes a lot for me to find the courage to push the boundaries but I think I’ve found a way.
It’s easy to be incensed by injustices, but it just doesn’t cut the mustard if we continue to walk on by without taking action. The trouble is that taking action that will make a difference often seems overwhelming. Where do you start….? I have found the answer for me, at least, and it’s one stitch at a time (or dob of glue).
Recently, I came across a movement that really resonates with me. Craftivism! Crafters who are using their skills to make the world a better place one stitch at a time. The Craftivist Collective is precisely that – a collective; an inclusive group of people committed to using thoughtful, beautifully crafted works to help themselves and encourage others be the positive change they wish to see in the world. What attracts me to Craftivism is that ‘Challenging’ is done in a very gentle and very inclusive way. That isn’t to say that this approach doesn’t wield power it certainly does.
Among their many successful projects the Craftivist Collective made use of embroidered handkerchiefs to influence the shareholders of Marks and Spencer to pay the living wage to all their workers. From projects such as this to crafting something beautiful with a simple message of love and support and leaving it for someone to find. It’s a gentle way to make massive changes and share tiny deeds of kindness.
Through activities such as teaching knitting or crochet lessons, sewing blankets for abandoned animals, or leaving lovingly crafted gifts to lighten someone’s day craftivism allows for creativity to cross boundaries and limitations and enter the arena of activism.
For me, craftivism makes campaigning do-able and what I like most is the inclusiveness of this. It doesn’t matter who, what or where you are, you can reach out and share your skills and values with others. I’m inspired by the thought that people all over the world are quietly getting on with the business of challenging boundaries and limitations and make a difference just like Jeanne and Brian.
I have joined the movement and although I haven’t become a Ninja Craftivist yet, I’m trying.
If you would like to know more - Jenny Éclair presented a programme on BBC4 telling the story of Craftivision around the world. Craftivism – Making a Difference