Global Economic Crisis Craft
Goodness, seen the news recently? I’m mildly enjoying the irony of all the free marketeers crying out for state assistance. It reminds me of the old Mussollini quote “Fascism should more properly be called corporatism because it is the merger of state and corporate power.”
So given that we’re rapidly heading towards a global depression of a level never seen before, it’s time for you all to be thinking a little bit more about making your lives a bit more self-sufficient. Luckily for those of us in the Southern Hemisphere, it is the best time to be planting a whole heap of stuff, so we’re gonna have cranking vege gardens soon. I’m super excited that my tomato seeds I carefully saved from our last harvest are sprouting on the bathroom window sill. And since we have a cranking grey water flow from the washing machine out to the back garden, all our shower water is now going straight to the vege garden out front so it’s humming along.
But it’s also a good time to think about the items you use in your daily life that cost you a bit to replace that you could just as easily make. So I want to recommend a couple of crafty economic crisis projects for you.
Firstly, every one needs knickers. And given most knickers are badly made from cheap and boring materials, it makes a whole heap of sense to custom make your own. LUCKY FOR YOU the ever inspirational paintergirl has got the Kaotic Kraft Kuties DiY Knicker pack for sale in her etsy store.
You get the pattern, instructions and fold over elastic (which I am now quite convinced, is indeed awesome), all you need is an old tshirt or stretchy fabric and scissors, thread and a sewing machine and you are sorted. It says you need basic sewing skills and that’s pretty accurate. I hadn’t used a sewing machine in months, and I’m far from good at using one, and I handled this project beautifully. Although my knickers turned out more art project than functional undies..
But you could make some that look like this!
How hot is that?
And the best bit is that if you get this kit, you can make as many knickers as you desire, you just need to get a bit more elastic and fabric somewhere along the way. This is a perfect project for getting together with a bunch of your best crafty buddies to make. If you do make some, make sure you share with the Kuties so we can all purr over your creations.
And of course a good thing to go with knickers is making your own cloth pads. The last thing you want to waste your scarse dollars on during a global depression is wasteful throw away bits. Plus, cloth pads feel so much lovelier, your body will love you for it, I promise. There’s a great pattern list on the Goods 4 Girls website and while you’re there you might want to get inspired to make some to donate to them while you’re at it.
So, anyone else out there got any hot crafty tips for surviving a depression?
Economics without the spin
If you’ve been watching any of the news about the global economic crisis recently you’re probably wondering why all the ‘expert commentators’ are bankers, traders and politicians aka the people that got us into this mess. But if you wany to learn about what this economic crisis is really about and learn about the real solutions to use the economic system to put us on a true path to sustainability, Economics for Activists is the course for you!
Hosted by Karl Fitzgerald who you all know as the host of the Renegade Economist on 3CR, this four-week course is designed for activists keen to get to the root causes of many of the social and environmental injustices we face today.
It’s a four week course starting next Tuesday and registrations are limited and essential. It’s only gold coin so anyone can afford it. Get on over to the Earthsharing Australia website and register your bad ass self today.
xox
Vote Global Vote Green
One of the things that bugs me about not having very much time is that I don’t get to write very much about environmental issues. So I made a video instead!
We’re trying our best to contact each one of the 450,000 New Zealanders living in Australia (and other parts of the world) to let them know about the upcoming election. You can help by sending this video to any expats you know. Make sure you remind them to sort out their enrolment ASAP www.elections.org.nz
A big thanks to Cam for editing this video up for me, and a big chur to frey for the lovely soundtrack!
Craft Cartel Podcast Episode #6
This episode on the Craft Cartel podcast, Casey’s back!!! So we have a lovely chat about crafty South East Asia travels. And we go out on an EXCLUSIVE adventure with the Melbourne Revolutionary Craft Circle on their latest crafty night out.
We got some ace music from Boil Up and the super awesome and currently touring North America, Blue King Brown!
Our zine review this week is Havoc from the Huon Valley Environment Centre (download and donate!!!!) and the Weld Echo zine from the Black Sassy Arts Collective.
The websites to check out are:
We also talked about a couple of events. First was ‘the revolution will be handmade: political fabric crafts and the struggle for social justice’ a public meeting that we’re organising on the 4th of September. It’s at 6.30 pm level 1, 27 Hardware Lane, Melbourne.
And we’re organising a crafty bike competition in collaboration with the Melbourne Bicycle Film Festival. If you’re keen to get involved get in touch. And we’ll be running a market during the Festival so start making your bicycle themed crafts all you makers out there!
And as always we’d love to hear from you, comment below or drop us a line. And don’t forget to check out the archive if you’re new round here.
The best way to listen to the podcast is to subscribe and download today!
Putting this podcast together is a labour of love but it does take a bit of time and effort, so if you like what you hear, feel free to chuck some dosh in our virtual busking hat. We’ll love you for it!
The Budget
I know I’m one of the few people in the world that finds government budgets exciting. Blame Marilyn Waring.
But hey bet you never thought there’d be a fusion of crafts and government budgets? Did ya? Did ya?
I bet not.
Geonomics is Seriously Sexy
Check out this hilarious piece written by Thom entitled “Henry George: The Best Thing That Can Happen To Your Sex Life” (yes truly). It’s feckin hilarious. But also spells it all out really well. Most people when explaining geonomics tend to focus on your right to somewhere to sleep. Of course, completely neglecting your right to somewhere to get it on!
Read it now.