CRAFTNICITY

Knit a Square for Charity

"It is estimated that there are 11.6 million orphans
in sub-saharan Africa. 1.4 million live in South Africa."
~Knit a Square~

 
We're knitting and crocheting squares. Forty squares will be sent to South Africa and made into blankets to warm South African children orphaned as a result of AIDS.

For more information, visit Knit a Square's website or our Ravelry group. Our group's deadline is July 1.

Will you join us?

Team Craftnicity: Giving Back

Some think that the concept of giving back is misguided; that a phrase like "giving back to the community" assumes that the community actually gave you something to begin with.

Others of us know what we've been given -- from water to the light of the moon. Some of us know that giving doesn't have to be linear. Some of us practice serial reciprocity or paying it forward. Some of us like Kelee Katillac, really get it. Kelee uses interior design to give back and she's putting out the invitation to other creatives -- artists, crafters, designers, DIYers -- to use your creativity to help others.

So I'm going to take her up on the call and invite you to join me. I'd like to pick you to be part of my team -- Team Craftnicity -- where we find ways to use what we do with our hands to show what's in our hearts.

My heart says create memories. Back in 1996, a 70,000-pound tractor-trailer truck barrelled through a highway construction site. When he came to a stop, 8 people were dead -- one was my husband. More than 15 people were injured -- one was my then 22-month-old son and one was me.

Since my son has no memory of his father, I'm helping him bring memories of his father to "life." We'll use decoupage as a creative bridge; each glued picture telling a story and healing his heart. I'd like to answer Kelee's invitation to give back by helping others remember -- a birth parent, a deceased child, a lost dream.

What's in your heart? How will you give back? Share it with us. And don't forget to share your experiences, comments and ideas at the Katillac Shack. Just mention Team Craftnicity.

(Photo courtesy of Kelee Katillac)

Silken Thread Connections

I search for opportunities to witness natural environments that render me speechless. Not being able to name it, but rather be with it are priceless moments. These moments filled with awe help me remember my power, my connection, and my place in the universe.

So I was thrilled to learn about an artistic collaborative project from a friend yesterday.  After reading about this upcoming installation, I tried to imagine myself as the seed of a milkweed pod, with its silken threads preparing for detachment. I could feel the bubbling brook of awe in my stomach. I knew I had to be with this.

Feel the connection for yourself.

(Photo courtesy of Bird Eye)

Helping Hands: Knitting Ladies at Interim House, Inc.

"Creativity cannot flourish where trauma and addiction exist.  Knitting has reawakened
  creativity that our clients never realized they possessed."
 ~Kathryn Duffy, LCSW – Interim House~

 

(The following excerpt has been reprinted from the Spring 2008 issue of Black Purl Magazine.)

As I sat in the surgical waiting area awaiting news about my mom’s surgery, I pulled out 5 double-pointed knitting needles and began knitting in-the-round.  I wasn’t making anything in particular, but the repetition of the stitches and the rhythm of the needles calmed me.

Apparently, my knitting had the same effect on those watching.  One woman peered over my shoulder and said “I’ve never seen anyone use little sticks like that.”   I thought, “if only you knew the power of these little sticks.”

Kathryn Duffy, a social worker, therapist, and facilitator of the knitting program at Interim House, Inc., a residential holistic substance-abuse treatment program for women in Pennsylvania, has had a similar personal experience with the therapeutic value of knitting.  On a professional level, she witnesses the power of those little sticks weekly.

“My personal experience with knitting was a precipitating factor in initiating a therapeutic knitting program at Interim House Inc. Five years ago, when I learned that my daughter had to have spinal surgery, she and I decided to take knitting lessons because we had read that knitting was proven to be helpful during times of stress. During my daughter’s operation and long recuperation period, I knitted and taught just about everyone who visited us how to knit. Knitting fostered a sense of calm.  My daughter also experienced a similar benefit from knitting, as it was one of the only activities she could tolerate and the repetitiveness was calming to her."

"Women in early recovery here at Interim House Inc. also experience great stress and I wanted to introduce them to an activity that had the potential to help them as much as it helped my daughter and me,” Duffy shares.

Knitting became contagious.  Several women already knew how to crochet and we encouraged them in their craft and asked them to teach others as well.  The first several groups were difficult because no one knew how to knit except two staff members.  As the weeks went by, however, it became easier because the residents who have been part of the knitting group shared their knowledge with new residents as they entered the program, “explains Duffy.

The Shape of My Heart: Level Two Altruism

"I know that the Spades are the swords of a soldier.
I know that the Clubs are weapons of war.
I know that Diamonds mean money for this Art.
But, that's not the shape of my heart."
~Shape of My Heart, Sting~

A few years ago I attended a Stitches East event in Baltimore, MD. I walked about 4 blocks from the parking deck to the convention center where it was held; a path dotted with people sleeping on benches and grates. I was present enough to notice them, but that's all. I'm sure my actions could have been read as "yeah, I see you, but I've got someplace to be." I watched other people walk past, most without looking at this sight of the separate and unequal.

Off we went to an event that celebrated creative expression. Even though we had just walked past five people lying on the street, we were excited to be with other creatives. A segmenting of the heart and mind, something didn't feel right.

But we did it again the next day.

I tried to make myself feel better. I knit squares, I reminded myself. In fact, I'd bet most of us have used our craft to make charitable donations. Crafters are some of the most altruistic people I know. We do it because we care and because it feels good. As humans, we've got it like that. Studies back up the zen of giving:

“It’s mysterious that human beings among all mammals are so hyper-social that our brains are wired to help other people, even strangers. There’s very little evidence that other animals have that capacity,” said Paul Zak of the Center for Neuroeconomics Studies at Claremont Graduate University.

But aren't wired for connection too?

While I appreciate having the option to package, stamp, and send, I'm going to challenge myself to make more of a connection; giving from level two. So I'll continue to knit the squares, make the caps, and crochet the afghans and:

• Visit a hospital, rock the babies infected with HIV and feel the tingling of tiny nerves synapsing for survival.
• Deliver a meal and a blanket to a family.
• Cover someone -- literally.

What are you willing to do on level two?

The Intentional Giver Commitment

Photo courtesy of Beads for Education

It's that time of year again, the time when people fight the crowds, even trample one another in order to get the perfect gift at a discount. Somebody remind me that there's much more to this season than a 25% off tag.

The other day while cleaning my mom's garage, I uncovered a tiny beaded change purse and key chain I'd bought years ago from a craft cooperative group. My purchase helped keep an African girl in school. Knowing that felt good, worthwhile, important -- no, it felt as if I'd done something vital.

I'm making the commitment to be an intentional giver and give the kinds of gifts that keep on giving. If you're looking for that perfect gift, consider checking out the following organizations who are committed to changing lives through craft:

1. Beads for Education: The Maasai women of Dupoto Women's Group make key chains. A portion of the income supports their daughters' education.
2. Baskets of Africa:  Last year, a good friend of mine gave me a Bolgatanga market basket, which comes from the Bolgatanga region of Ghana and is made from elephant grass. It is one of the most beautiful and thoughtful gifts I've ever received.
3. Aid to Artisans: This group helps disadvantaged artisans market and sell their products in the United States. Check out the South African beaded disc necklace.
4. Ten Thousand Villages: Works with over 130 artisan groups in more than 38 countries.

I'm asking that you help me grow this list and join me by making the commitment to be an intentional giver.

Craft Cooperatives: 5 Ways to Shop with Purpose

The purpose of craft cooperatives is to develop community programs using the handicrafts from local artisans or crafters.  Cooperatives take the traditional work of a community and bring it to a more global stage by offering training, workshops, business development assistance, and oftentimes microloans to the artisans. Many of these cooperatives focus on the women of a community and the knowledge that by helping the women, you're helping them improve their lives and the lives of their families.  The bigger picture for me is the realization that our purchases show respect for the artisans, and offer some aid in stamping out poverty, illiteracy, and disease.

People buy so much stuff.  When I think about all of the purchases I've made that don't really mean anything, I could just scream.  I've decided to focus on adding meaning to my purchases.  I've come up with 5 ways to shop with purpose and responsibility:

1. Buy fair trade products.  One way to ensure that you do is to look for shops who are members of the Fair Trade Federation.  According to Make Trade Fair, "Fair Trade is a growing, international movement which ensures that producers in poor countries get a fair deal. This means a fair price for their goods (one that covers the cost of production and guarantees a living income), long-term contracts which provide real security; and for many, support to gain the knowledge and skills that they need to develop their businesses and increase sales."
2. Add more meaning to your purchases by reading the descriptions of the artisans.  Many online shops give background information about the products and the artisans. These descriptions are like windows into the lives of these talented men and women.
3. Resist impulse buys by learning as much as you can about products, fair trade and international development.
4. Devote a gift-giving season to purchasing fair trade products.  Often the products come with a little card attached that gives information about how the products were made.
5. Make a wish list of fair trade products you'd like to receive as gifts.

What has been your experience with purchases from craft cooperatives?