Thanks for stopping in to say hi. I don’t think you did imply that those are the only people doing craft. I think the article was great! Fantastic to hear you’re a handmade fan. Hope to see you at Trash Bag Rehab to make your own things

xox

I’m the author of the piece in The Age, and I’m glad it generated so much discussion in craft circles! Just to clarify, I wasn’t trying to imply that 20 -35 year olds are the only one’s doing craft. Rather, they’re the ones who’ve mainly supported the avant-garde side of the craft movement, which has been a new thing in the past few years. I got this demographic from all the people I interviewed, and ran it by nearly everyone I spoke with, so I was only going with the figure my research uncovered. I know there are older people doing all sorts of craft, but this seemed to be the main age range of people joining groups such as Kaotic Kraft Kuties, etc.

Anyway, thanks everyone for letting me have a glimpse into the craft world, and thanks for the feedback – I appreciate all of it. And I’ll continue to buy handmade things – I’m addicted! Cheers, Rachelle

I think you’d be struggling to find someone who DIDN’T have a grandmother or mother who crafted – and I think that means that craft is NOT a fad or fashion – it’s an intrinsic part of our lives, in the same way as cooking, reading, gardening etc. Most of us grew up with craft in our homes – and are leading creative lives because of that.

I think it’s really interesting that some people seem to claim more rights to making things then others I also think it’s really interesting that people constantly relate craft back to commercial contexts.

Despite the fact that I own a store that sells craft – I think craft is a rite of passage for us all – rather then a commodity. It should be accessible to everyone – and should be free to be interpreted in a multitude of ways. Regardless of it’s saleability. I don’t think saleability is the issue. I think learning and sharing is what is important.

When did making stuff become so elitist, I wonder? Why are we so hung up on people earning the right to make things? Why must we prove our crafty heritage to be accepted by some crafty types? Why is it necessary to say ‘I’ve been doing this longer then you have’, I wonder?

I’m certainly not saying that you shouldn’t strive to be GREAT at your craft. I think practice and improvement is really important. But so is enjoyment.

Our craft group has members aged 9 through to 60. It’s inclusive. Surely that’s what craft is all about?

Why does it matter if Esmerelda down the road has made an awful tissue box cover, as long as she had fun doing it?! And just say she tries to sell her tissue box cover on Etsy? Who is that hurting? Give her a go, I say. At least she got off her butt and made something.

I think I have to agree and disagree with you. I don’t think that the article really said that. Certainly I know I don’t see it that way. And some of the women in the story are people I know and I’m pretty sure they don’t see it that way either.

Every time I get interviewed by the media about the upsurge in young people crafting I always stress that it is a certain demographic and there are plenty of people across different cultures and income levels that never stopped crafting. But sadly that part of the story never gets a run.

I think it’s important to remember that we are talking about corporate media here. Certainly if you look at any documentation of the movement produced from within the movement, there’s a lot stronger emphasis on the ongoing nature of the handmade culture.

But yes the ‘new’ part of this story is definitely the influence of the internet. I simply couldn’t do what I’m doing without it and I think that’s worth acknowledging.

And the story is similar for so many other young women, especially those in isolated communities. Yes, there is a prevalence of ‘crap’ being made and sold but at least it’s crap being made by us and used by us, on our terms and not crap being made in sweatshops and sold to us by mass media campaigns designed to make us feel inadequate.

But while I’m engaged online with a website and a store and an extensive network of crafters, it’s my small local stitching group made up of retired women that I love the most. And where I’m supposed to be now!

I’m interested to hear what others think about this. What are your experiences?