“What are you making?” I ask the pint sized soccer player to my right.
"A cat!" he enthusiastically replies. His cat is fashioned from an old sock, limbs from other stuffed animals and a blue felt smile. It's zany and oh so creative. And he made it himself. So much confidence can come from creating things oneself, like campers do at Canoe Island French Camp. This is why I love crafts, and the artisanal culture of France, that values handmade products by local merchants. This French sentiment was very much present at this fall's San Juan County Textile Guild Craft Expo.
The guild hosts many mediums for design. Knitting, spinning,
beading, basketry, quilting and weaving were all available for people to learn
at the fair. I was drawn to a huddle of kids and adults sitting on a quilt on
the floor. In the middle of the circle was a pile of stuffed animal carnage,
fabrics, yarn and fluff. Francie and Cindy were helping folks fabricate their
very own frank-n-animal. The results were adorable.
A bunny/ bear farmer in an orange tutu left with a little
girl. She was proud to introduce it to everyone. The cat earlier described was
to be a gift for the family puppy. In a society where things are designed to be
thrown away, and kids are taught to always be asking for new things, it was
nice to see kiddos finding value in the old, the ripped, the discarded. Whether
you are sewing together a new stuffed animal, knitting a hat or quilting a
blanket, creating something with your own hands is satisfying and rejuvenating.
As we approach the holiday season, I encourage you to consider crafting some of
your gifts. You might find a new skill!
No comments:
Post a Comment