Integrity in Art : Integrity in Life : Part I
May 13, 2008There have been a lot of things coming up in reading and listening and doing that have made me start to rethink what I make my art and craft with, how I live me life and how those two things intertwine and the implications they have.
If I am truly devoted to the idea of craft leftovers, should I really order yarn for a yarn giant that treats me like complete crap while I’m placing an order and gets all their yarn milled 1000 miles away? Shouldn’t I order from the mill that is in my state, or at least my country? Should I try just get yarn that is used, old, recycled, local, on sale, run offs?
And in the same vein of that, should I really even ever shop at Joann’s for craft supplies? But that begs the question, where to shop than? Where is a place that I can buy satin cording for the sock bags I’ve been making lately? I couldn’t have had that spontaneous crafting moment on Wednesday had it not been for my trip on Joann’s the night before.
I heard a great podcast on Bad At Sports Sunday that was kind of in this vein, talking about integrity, but also about legitimacy. Advertising and corporations squeezing in on independent artists and crafts people. Kind of a commercialization of the independent movement that is so rich and wonderful. The artist they were interviewing said at one point, “commercializing something that I am a part of that I don’t want to be commercialized” and “we have to attack them every time they come into our space”.
There has been some controversy in the chicago area about big beer companies providing free beer to art openings to try to appeal to the ‘arts’ crowd. About that she said, “who made this decision, what was signed, what are the concequences, and how can it be replaced”. It’s hard to resist free beer for your opening when your a starving artist, but by taking that beer from that company, you are stopping support for brands you like and are dedicated to. Why is it always up to the artists putting on the show to provide all the spread. I like the model that has been set up by Mess Hall.
Pot Lucks. Home Brew. BYOB.
There are so many alternatives to accepting handouts from big corporate companies, to buying supplies from Joann’s. From buying new things in general
Can I reasonably go without buying new things? Can I keep buying new books and craft supplies to a minimum when all other options are exhausted…. Taking Craft Leftovers to the extreme and really embracing the motto I’ve set up for it of living life creatively, not just crafting creatively sometimes.
I’ve always attempted to keep my materials in line with the concept of my art work and now I’m finally bringing it all together and I’m starting to live my life with more integrity, and I want to share with you the ideas I have come up with to keep my life in line with my morals. How can I stop buying from A-holes and restore the adventure and uniqueness to life experience. How can those two go together when the common perception that adventure and pleasure comes from buying the cheapest in the best deal?
I’ll post about what I’ve come to find the last couple of years of Craft Leftovers and how I’m going to apply it to my life in general over the summer. An experiment of sorts. See where it goes.
See you soon!
Kristin
I get what you are saying.. I think. At least I often find myself asking the same questions. It seems that so many artists are worried about getting recognized that they will compromise their own art, or soul or whatever…. I feel the best way is to take things one at a time. It becomes very overwhelming when I analyze everything at once, but telling myself that things can change little by little doesn’t seem so unrealistic. looking forward to hearing more…
- rose
Hi Kristin - I’ve been following your blogs for a while since I heard you on Craftsanity and have been enjoying them very much. This is a topic that really interests me and I’m very interested to see where you go with it. I’ve made baby steps in this area, but have not yet made any changes in my needlework and craft supply purchases. Keep up the great work - you’re an inspiration!
As the owner of a great stash and many thrifted supplies I still find it tough to have what I need all the time to finish up items. An alternative to Joanns, for me at least, has been the locally owned hardware store. What a great source for cording, magnets and button forms. As to the beer sponsorship, the artist is not promoting them as much as the beer company supporting the arts… and that has to be a good thing no matter how you cut it.
I admire your dedication to your principles. Its very hard to live that way in a very instant gratification culture. I am personally trying to live without purchasing new things, in my life and in my business and when I do purchase things I want them to be from local business. I do that pretty well, though it tends to be more expensive than the big box stores, it feels like I am investing in myself in a way. I’ll explain, when I give money to local business, I’m feeding money back into the people and places that support me. I know these people, I see them everytime I go in that store, they remember what I like and what I don’t. More often than not, they are actually VALUABLE to their employer who isn’t going to dump them at a moments notice so I can have people who’s opinions I trust instead of an ever-churning mass of disaffected and brow beaten people who HIDE from customers. So if you can get used, buy local! Also I’m really glad you wrote this post, its interesting to think about.
You said it!
I’ve been trying to use what I have lately, and it has been a great way to be creative because it forces you to really plan things out.
Thanks again for buying some of my yarn last week! I hope you are enjoying it!