Kendra Brea Cooper
Having the ability to do-it-yourself means that you can sidestep consumption, big box stores, and move towards liberating self-sufficiency. Learning how to make things for yourself frees you from the constraints of unnecessary want, and brings you closer to the kind of work that makes you proud. Here are 10 steps for getting your friends and family together for a great DIY craft party.
Finding a space to host a group of people can be a bit difficult depending on what you have at hand. Your bedroom might be just fine for a few, or you could use a neighbours garage. If you're lucky enough to have a community space in your neighbourhood, then use it! If it's a nice summer evening, the local park would be a good place to lay down a blanket and have a diy craft party.
The reason why I said "finding #craft #supplies" instead of "buying craft supplies" is because craft supplies have become so expensive, that only a certain group of people seem to be privileged enough buy them. There are ways, cheap ways, you can gather great craft supplies. Everyone should be able to participate in a DIY, handmade world. Gathering what you already have, asking your community if they have anything extra, shopping at thrift stores, and dumpster diving are all ways of collecting great DIY supplies.
Gathering #ideas is something you can do on your own, but it is more fun with a group of people. Everyone has an idea, and something they're good at. If you're looking for tutorials and ideas, here are some links:
That's just a start.
Finding the #time for crafting and #DIY #projects can be really difficult. Most of us have to work, go to school, and do time consuming things to pay bills and take care of ourselves and others. We're caught up in a system that gives us very little time to do things.
You could gather around the holidays when people are in town, or on your birthday when people would likely come out anyway. Perhaps you could have a potluck along with the craft night. Planning far ahead might be necessary.
The point of getting together for crafting is to teach each other skills and help each other out with DIY projects. If you have a skill, share it. Encourage people to share their skills and collaborate on different projects at the party and in the future. If we're going to free ourselves from the pull of consumption and waste, we're going to need each other.
Another great thing you can do at a craft party, is have people do little workshops by using their skills to show step-by-steps of DIY projects. Workshops are great ways to share skills and encourage free school education. Everyone has something to offer.
DIY parties can be about anything you can do yourself. It can be about crafts, automotive tasks, and even building homes. Learning how to fix and build things yourself is a huge part of self-sufficiency. When we fix things, recycle things, and upcycle things, we reduce waste and consume less.
Always keep an eye out for resources. Anything helps. #Resources can include online articles, magazine articles, free stuff on the side of the road, a skilled community member, etc. This isn't just a one night thing. Building a DIY minded community takes time and energy. If you're really passionate, it's a life long thing.
Some of the best things about a DIY crafting party, are the #community #connections you make. This is a chance to get to know people better, work together on a project, and make life long friendships. They can lead to bigger projects like #community #gardens.
A gift economy is something we can work towards through DIY and collaborative work. It's about sharing, communicating, and caring. Little things like handmade crafts during the holidays can go towards changing our culture for the better.
Pop culture and all that ideology sitting in the blind spot. Also crafts.
