What is Craft Activism?

"The term craftivism was coined by Betsy Greer in 2003.

Mark brought up some great questions about what is Craft Activism on his radio show Creative Mojo 9-28-2011 podcast.  The first one was how do the artists' in Joan and Gale's book fit it? 

To be honest Nancy and I didn't think about doing knit bombing consciously as an activist statement (here is how it started) and I never really thought of myself as a crafter per se, although I've been doing crafts all my life. Activist, absolutely all my life one way or another, including  with my art. I  hadn't really stopped to think about it in the grand scheme of things, but looking back I realize just putting together the jafagirls and all our projects was a active statement against the supposed or normal way of doing things.

So is yarnbombing an activism of sorts?  My answer is yes! It has challenged people's perceptions about yarn,public art, antiquated notions of what the homeless need, and their presumed knowledge of trees. It has inspired the young and old and brought together a community of sharing, learning and laughing.

Meahwhile in the studio

I am going bonkers with this one embroidery I'm trying to get done for the upcoming Jafagirl exhibit "The Hairy Art Palace" at the Yellow Springs Arts Council in October.

I know some of you deal with this. You have one of those days where nothing you touch is working and you want to pull your hair out, tear your work to bits, and hoy it out, grrrrrrr! So if you're wondering about the name of the exhibit, it's hairy as in causing nervous tension ;)