I have recently added a new word to my lexicon: CRAFTIVISM. It’s quite nice, isn’t it? A combination of craft and activism, meaning:

a way of looking at life where voicing opinions through creativity makes your voice stronger, your compassion deeper & your quest for justice more infinite (Betsy Greer)

It’s not just about beautifying your surroundings, like yarnstorming (yarn bombing), nor is it simply about using your craft skills to create an object that delivers a direct political statement, such as a strand of bunting with words on it; it’s about any craft activity that makes the world a better place.

A charitable donation: dog coats I knitted to support an animal rescue centre

Through activities such as teaching knitting lessons, crocheting hats for the less fortunate, and sewing blankets for abandoned animals, craftivism allows for creativity to expand previous boundaries and enter the arena of activism… instead of using solely one’s voice to advocate political viewpoints, one could use their creativity.

How fantastic is that? The craftivism.com web site goes on to say:

In a world that was growing increasingly large and unfamiliar, craftivism fought to bring back the personal into our daily lives to replace some of the mass produced. In promoting the idea that people can use their own creativity to improve the world, craftivism allows those who wish to voice their opinions and support their causes the chance to do just that…but without chanting or banner waving and at their own pace.

Building community by crafting together

I’m smitten by the fact that what I do (what lots of us do) has a name. I don’t think that this makes it any more valid, but it does feel like an acknowledgement and delivers a sense of community. I’ve written before about civil disobedience through creativity and the small actions we can take to make a big difference, and now I discover it has a name. I’m delighted that some many things, from my green bath puffs to writing about the ethics of knitting yarns are part of this bigger movement and that others too think we are making a difference.

So, what are you going to do this week that could be considered ‘craftivism’?