Weekend Review: A Little Book of Craftivism

 

A Little Book of Craftivism / Sarah Corbett
London: Cicada, c2013. 
63 p.

As the world continues on its troublesome way, I think more and more about ways for introverts or busy people or overwhelmed people to continue to participate in civil life, and to have their voices heard. One way that has always appealed to me is craftivism, the melding of craft work with activism. It's slow activism, a way for people to engage deeply, and in a long-term way, with social causes, according to Sarah Corbett, founder of the Craftivist Collective. 

I picked up this book recently, being a big fan of Sarah Corbett and her Craftivist activities. It's exactly what it says it is: a little book, about 4x6, full of photos and explanations of various projects the Craftivist Collective has undertaken (up to the 2013 pub date, anyhow). If you want updates and new things, do check out the website as well. 

This book is charming to look through, and it's an easier reference than old blog posts, too. It shares 9 different projects (including my long-time favourite, the I'm A Piece art project); tips on how to take care of yourself as a craftivist and run activities successfully, instructions on learning to cross-stitch and backstitch, and ideas on words and phrases you might like to use in your own projects. 

It's small but a delightful inspiration, and a good introduction to the world of craftivism. Many of the projects are based in embroidery, as this slow process fits in with Corbett's craft+social action+self-awareness ethos. For anyone new to the idea of craftivism, this is a good intro, not overwhelming but visually appealing, and with enough info to get a reader started in this area. 

You can also find more info on the Craftivist Collective on youtube and on IG.