How our creativity helps our communities

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I’ve been feeling hopeless lately, but the craft spirit has given me something to hold on to.

My family instilled many things in me – my love of books, crafts, and my desire to help my community. My grandmother, even though we didn’t have much, always found ways to give back. It’s hard to find ways to help when you can’t provide financial support or show up in person to help. My grandmother provided me with my first examples of craftsmanship. She knitted hats and blankets for those in need.

Lately, I’ve been feeling like there’s nothing I can do. But an artisan I follow on TikTok reminded me that there are yes Ways I can help. Last summer, Helena from @squish.and.co started a crafting event called “Unite the Stitchers” where artists sewed items for people to bid on. The goal is to highlight and raise funds for Palestinian mutual aid funds and aid organizations. This activity is just one example of Craftivism in action.

What is craftism?

Craftivism is the use of crafts as a form of activism. Although the term was only coined in 2003 by writer and crafter Betsy Greer, craftism has been around much longer. Stephen actually wrote an article two years ago focusing on the history of the craft of embroidery, but people have been using all kinds of crafty media for their promotional efforts over the years. Regardless of the medium, craftism can serve a variety of purposes, from raising awareness to raising funds to making a political statement.

As mentioned above, Stitchers for Solidarity auctions handmade items and holds raffles to raise funds. They have also created pattern bundles that can be purchased, with proceeds going to Mutual Aid Palestine. Seeing what Stitchers for Solidarity accomplished inspired me to delve deeper into craftism.

what can I do?

You can take part in ongoing craft activities. The SJSA Memorial Quilt Project invites quilters to create memorial quilts for families of victims of violence. With Welcome Blankets, we encourage you to make a blanket (whether knitting, sewing, quilting, crocheting, braiding, felting, etc.) and writing a welcome message for a refugee family new to the United States. Knit for Food hosts an annual knit-a-thon to raise funds for organizations fighting food insecurity.

Others often appeal to craftsmanship. For example, Honey of Honey and Dice creates care packages for residents in her area and asks people to crochet or knit items for them. I especially appreciate Honey making it clear that if you don’t receive your hat by the deadline, you can still send it out later.

Of course, you can always start crafting. What is a cause near and dear to you? Do you need to raise awareness about this? Raising money for this? Did you see something that made you want to say something with your craft? Do you think there is a need in your community that your craft can help? I remember a few years ago when people used plastic grocery bags to make waterproof sleeping mats for the homeless community. Socks are one of the most needed items in the homeless community, especially in the winter. Can you make some? If not, can you raffle off money to buy them? Find ideas, inspiration and motivation in Shannon Downey’s book let’s move the needlea tool kit for new craftsmen; Craftsmanship Author: Betsy Greer; and Diana Weimar Build a better world.

you don’t have to do it alone

The beauty of craft is how it brings people together. A friend taught me how to crochet while we were sitting on the floor of their dorm room. My grandmother, an avid crafter, encouraged me to crochet and asked me for project updates. When she passed away, my mother saved her crochet hooks and other crafting materials for my use. I’ve had countless people ask about my projects, even if they didn’t make them themselves. It’s another way for us to connect with each other, a way to break the ice.

If you know other craftsmen, you can encourage them to join you. We become stronger when we work together. If you don’t know other crafters in real life, leave a comment on social media. You never know…maybe someone will join.

As I learn more about this, I’d love to hear if there’s anything else I should look into. If you decide to use your crafting skills in this way, please share them with us! Many of us at FBC are crafters and would love to see that.