The value of art and craft work

is so under rated because of the mass commercialism of things, that is very hard to look at some thing and say well, that is worth at least $100 when you know you can get a poor copy or something similar for $5 at the local dollar store. The reason I bring this up is because of this post on her blog which I read on regular basis.

I come across a lot of blogs were things are sold. Some like this one are a pure delight and I think to myself if only I had $60 to spare for the swaddled baby on her Esty shop or $90 for her boyfriend 1. Doing arts and crafts things myself, I realise how much time and effort are put into this kind of work. Pottery is another thing I go ditsy over and of course painting. My god if only I could afford a painting by Margaret Hunter or Eileen Cooper. My house would be so crowded. Unfortunately I don't have the money so I contend myself with drooling over web pages and blogs.

I must admit though I will go to craft fairs, looking for cheaper stuff. Not because I don't appreciate the work and skill that is involved but simply because the purse isn't big enough to buy anything much over $40, especially as most fairs charge a large fee to get into and I have a husband attached who doesn't understand the attraction to dolls etc. He does like wooden boxes though. Unfortunately most of the good stuff is way over that price.

Of course I don't have a good opinion of most of the craft fairs I have been to in this area as a lot of the vendors are trading exactly the things that making being an artisan difficult, mass productions items from China or Taiwan. If I go to a craft or art fair I want it to be made by the person who is selling the item, thats the reason I am there, not to see something mass produced I can get in any local store. If they are selling stuff I want a blog or website address so I can see more of their work. I am a pig of a customer it seems.

Anyway I am resolved to buy one of Mimi's dolls but not this month as I have just spend a fortune on beads.

Thank you for looking

and giving me the hard truth. Now I need to get in front of that mirror and practise, practise.

I must admit I have always be hopeless at interviews apart from college interviews, somehow I seem to be able to do them. Maybe that's the clue, I really wanted to do those things but somehow, working in a shop or an office, doesn't have same appeal.

Anyway onto a much more interesting topic, to me anyway. Last night I saw the last in a series of programs on PBS entitled "Craft in America" called Communities, it was an amazing program. It made me want to just run away and join the communities that were featured. There are 2 other programs with it, which I missed but are being repeated in the early hours of the morning 2nd June. So my tivo has been set up. Try to see them if you can.

Up until a few years ago, painting was my main source of exploration but in the last few years, through the Internet, I have become much more involved in crafts. Its always been a sporadic effort (anything creative) on my part because things get in the way, ie family or just plain depression.

At the moment, I am exploring embroidery and bead embroidery. You'd think to to yourself, it just a few beads and floss but it really is a whole new world which can soon accumulate as much material and need as much space as you needed for any other creative outlet. (see my art blog at "Puddles of Dreams"

That is a big problem because people who aren't creative ie Gordon, just don't realise you need space to be creative. At the moment I am based at the Kitchen table as it a good clear space with lots of light (until dinner time of course). However, as I have become more involved, the supplies have begun to pile up. What was one oversize tote bag, is now an oversize tote bag and 2 cotton storage crates. However, that doesn't include the fabric and batting which is upstairs where my (at the moment, being repaired) sewing machine sits.

Most of my supplies however are in the laundry/art room. It doesn't feel very creative in that room as everything is crammed in and then the washing/drying is lying around (mainly the kids stuff).

Anyway I thought working at the kitchen table was working out fine but Gordon is beginning to niggle about it, so I will have to find another comfy place to be creative. However, hope is on the horizon as once the kids start back to college at the end of August I am claiming dibs on at least one room upstairs. Gordon will moan but tough, it's the one thing I can actually do and maybe create money but that really isn't important to me to be honest (should be, I know). Gordon is not hopeful that I can make money this way and is honest about his views. Who can blame him when in the 30 yrs since finishing art school, I have yet to make a dime out of the pursue of happiness!