Have y'all noticed that the term "crafter" has a negative impact with some folks? People tend to think of a grandma knitting mittens or an 80s lace fan with rosettes. Has anyone ever looked at you like you have three heads when you say "I am a crafter"? Well today I am saying I am proud to be a crafter. Join me in proclaiming it...
Jessica with Mad in Crafts posted a response to a New Yorker article that y'all should read. She gives her thoughts on what exactly is a crafter. Plus she has that awesome graphic above so you too can be a proud crafter. When I started blogging...I admit it...I was not going to be a "craft" blog. No way. Well guess what y'all....I am a craft blog. Sure I throw in some DIY and decor. But primarily what I do is craft. I make things. You know what...I love it! Crafting is my outlet. My me time. My release. It is what keeps me sane. So yes I am a crafter. I am proud. The New Yorker article targets the industry by saying we do not "craft" we only "make things cute". No my "craft" is not a learned skill over a decade. No my "craft" might not be something that is timeless and lasts for decades. But I still consider myself a crafter in every sense of the word. You see the definition of crafter is:
crafter
a creator of great skill in the manual arts
A creator. Check. I am a creator.
Great skill. Some might argue whether or not I have great skill but as long as y'all keep coming back here I will call that a check. Craft blogs give people the content they want. There is skill involved in that.
Manual arts. I think manual arts can be anything from cutting wood to decoupage to knitting to painting to any craft. They are all manual arts. So yes check I do manual arts.
So you see New Yorker, we are in fact crafters. And we are in fact proud of it. We are not all grandmas. We have grown WAY past the 80s. We are crafters. We make. And yes we even make things cute.
Be back tomorrow with some crafty goodness...this was just a time out to express my thoughts. What are your feelings on the subject? Have you seen the article?
Check out what other crafty ladies are saying:
~Thanks for stopping by!~
~Angie~
6 comments:
I craft. I agree with you that 'crafting' has moved beyond the 80s. I'm proud to make things and I'm proud to be a craft blogger. WE can define what it means to craft by showing others.
I totally agree with you. Lots of crafting going around and it is a good thing. Love to "craft". :)
It seemed to me that the writer of the article was more interested in focusing on females being weak and just being focused on not being bored as a stay at home wife.
"The longstanding gender division between the craftsman working for money, and the craftswoman working to feed, clothe, and comfort her family seemed re-inscribed. The crack about how men are real craftsmen and women are just mothers making random things for their families really pissed me off. Yes we do make things for the family, but these can be just as important and wanted by others.
Personally I think that show is a JOKE to crafters all over. I have seen KIDS to more creavite and useful items than what they make on that show. Crafters are not just out to make items for the house to enjoy looking at.
I know TONS of women who use sanders, scrollsaws, hammers, drills, and hundred of other tools (which the writer seem to say were just for men) to make several things. I have used a drill and sander a hundred times now for my own projects.
This article was rude as hell to me.
I'm a Crafter! I love having a craft blog! BUT - I hate having to explain it. Craft is so much more than puff paint and collage. Craft can be a macaroni necklace - but doesn't stop there. Craft is so inclusive. I hope we, the crafters, keep it that way.
Yeah that article really burns my biscuits! First of all Mod Podge DOES stand up to the elements. Wish I could take the author to my Wonderland garden where all of my "Crafts" are outside and Mod Podged. I also live in New England where the weather is wonky indeed. I had a tough time reading anymore after that but pressed on against my better judgement. The part about "Home Depot having a moment in the sun..." Has the Author not heard of the DIY network? Pretty sure Home Depot has had plenty of "Moments" there.
Yes "Craft" is a broad term, but I think shows like "Craft Wars" cause the term to be all encompassing. Hopefully people will realize that "crafting" goes beyond glitter and glue sticks. Crafting is so much more and the contestants chosen for Craft Wars proves that. Painters, Sculptors, metal workers and the like all proud to be called a "crafter". Because guess what? They have perfected their CRAFT and want to show the world by having the guts to go on a national television show! Haters are always gonna hate but I won't let them cool my glue gun down. This article just gets me even more fired up to Make, Create, and CRAFT on!
Thanks for all of your awesome comments...y'all rock! :) Keep your opinions coming!
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