@ the Market
If you’ve ever been to a craft fair, purchased a craft or piece of art, or sold at a fair, you’ll want to read the following two posts and the comments on them. This is the sort of post to inspire a new appreciation of artisans and handmade items - a great deal goes into the production of these items and what goes into being the person producing them.
I was really sorry to hear about Margaux’s experience at the Crafty Bastards fair in DC. As a regular Barbie-defacer when I was young, I am quite taken with Margaux’s work and the statements she makes with it. I really wish she made something with Barbie hair, as that was my favorite aspect to deface.
I am really disappointed in the show attendees. I am a former DC resident, and although it’s not probably the artsiest place around, it’s not a void, either, so why the unfriendlies? Plus,I’m sure the show attracted plenty of non-residents as well. So why so many people who came to a craft fair and made stupid, insensitive comments. Were they not expecting artisans? And for pete’s sake - the artist is right there and you’re being rude about her art to her face? Hello basic politeness? Plus, what’s up with people telling an artist what she “should” and “should not” be creative about? I think Margaux (and the other artists who put up with this crap) had tremendous restraint.
I have quite a few more thoughts about all this, and hey! I have a blog, so I can sit down and tell all of you all about them. If you want to read (and I am somewhat garrulous), then the rest is after the jump.
You know about the Maker Faire, right?
Austin’s mayor, Will Wynn, just declared October 20 and 21 Maker’s Weekend in honor of the Maker Faire that will be in town that weekend. If you don’t know about the Maker Faire, it’s a giant … well, fair that brings together people who like to do it themselves and show you how to DIY too. It’s sponsored by the same folks who bring you the Make zine and the Craft zine (the O’Reilly publishers). And it IS for Crafters as much as for Makers. I think they oughtta change the name to the Maker/Crafter Faire! But this is only the second Faire (the first was last spring in San Francisco) so maybe it’s too early??
So… The “Maker Weekend” is in collaboration with the Keep Austin Weird idea that epitomizes much of what makes Austin a great place to live and work.
I’m going to copy for you some of what the Maker folks had to say about it all:
“The geek-loving, gadget-happy, DIY-fest, known as Maker Faire Austin is less than two weeks away! Tickets for the Oct. 20-21 event are selling fast, and geeks and hackers from across the country (and even overseas) are making their travel plans. To welcome them, Austin Mayor Will Wynn has officially declared the weekend ‘Maker’s Weekend.’”
“Austin is such a creative, vibrant town, and Maker Faire fits right in to our vibe and spirit,” explained Mayor Wynn. “America has such a thirst right now for creative self-expression. We also have an incredible need for out-of-the-box innovation. Maker Faire embodies the best of both of these worlds, and in a way that’s smart and fun. Therefore, we couldn’t be happier to welcome Maker Faire to Austin and to declare Oct. 20-21, ‘Maker’s Weekend.’”
Maker Faire Austin
- When: Oct. 20-21, 2007
- Where: Travis County Expo Center, 7311 Decker Lane
- Hours: Saturday 10am-6pm and Sunday 10am-5pm
For more info see the Make post on the blog or go to the website.
Crafting for Charity: Various bits
Oh no! I in my brilliance forgot to post that last Friday was World Alzheimer’s Day and that I’d seen a couple things craft-wise about it. I’ve kind of kept track since I posted about the Alzheimer’s Quilt Initiative a few weeks ago. Do good intentions count?
In other news, I noted that the upcoming Maker Faire in October here in Austin, Texas has given a nod to giving/charity via FirstGiving, a website where you can start a fund for a nonprofit. The Maker Faire will have a FirstGiving booth on hand.
[Note: I've taken off my information about giving, because Alison from FirstGiving stopped by my blog, and you can read more (and better!) information about it in her comment! Hi Alison! Just on another note, the nonprofit that I work for is on FirstGiving - I haven't figured it all out yet, but it seems like a really neat site!]
On a side note, can I say how exciting it is that the Maker Faire is approaching?
Finally, this week’s charity - this charity is in the business of collecting & delivering knitted orcrocheted teddy bears for children that have been involved in tragedies of some sort in Lebanon, Romania, Costa Rica and Brazil.
This site, Teddies for Tragedies, is a Canadian operation inspired by an English operation that began in the 1980s. There is a pattern on the website (use theirs, please!), and some pictures.
What neat things people do to help others feel better!
