Tacky or Craft? How do you know the difference?
I'm in the mood to stir up trouble! Not sure why, I woke up in a feisty mood this morning! I'm pondering something tho. As I posted the other day I had a good surf around the net, being in complete awe of some of the art/craft that people do. Amazing.
However, in running Helping Handmade, I'm also made aware that there are a LOT of very very tacky crafts out there. Quite a few of these are done in the name of reusing recyclables, but frankly are they really the sort of things that you will have around your house for years? Does that matter?
What defines "ticky tacky" and where's the line between that and art and craft. Obviously by my link the picture above, I don't consider this box to be "high art". I'm sure it could have a purpose, but it also is akin to things that you are given and in a year or so (when it's safe) they are donated to charity or put in a garage sale. We have a good friend who's mother makes doll tops for air fresheners - some might scoff, but she lovingly puts detail into them and my daughter adored it!
I know the angst of crafters who lovingly make afghans and quilts tho and those end up in garage sales or in someone's basement too. So, how do we increase appreciation, but also draw the line. I hate being compared to a crafter who uses glue and tacky elements to create something....however, I have seen amazing creativity with just a bottle of glue and some paper.
Obviously my mind is not made up on this, but I thought it would be great fuel for discussion. What do you have that might end up in a garage sale and do you think people are gaining any awareness for the work that goes into a lot of craft items?
Stumble It!
However, in running Helping Handmade, I'm also made aware that there are a LOT of very very tacky crafts out there. Quite a few of these are done in the name of reusing recyclables, but frankly are they really the sort of things that you will have around your house for years? Does that matter?
What defines "ticky tacky" and where's the line between that and art and craft. Obviously by my link the picture above, I don't consider this box to be "high art". I'm sure it could have a purpose, but it also is akin to things that you are given and in a year or so (when it's safe) they are donated to charity or put in a garage sale. We have a good friend who's mother makes doll tops for air fresheners - some might scoff, but she lovingly puts detail into them and my daughter adored it!
I know the angst of crafters who lovingly make afghans and quilts tho and those end up in garage sales or in someone's basement too. So, how do we increase appreciation, but also draw the line. I hate being compared to a crafter who uses glue and tacky elements to create something....however, I have seen amazing creativity with just a bottle of glue and some paper.
Obviously my mind is not made up on this, but I thought it would be great fuel for discussion. What do you have that might end up in a garage sale and do you think people are gaining any awareness for the work that goes into a lot of craft items?
Labels: crafts, ponderances
Stumble It!
posted by Sharkeysday at
1/20/2008 07:47:00 AM
2 Comments:
I do believe that the proliferation of TV shows like 'Create and Craft' and the magazines that follow them - where (as you so rightly say) people glue and stick ready made bits and pieces together to make cards or scrapbooks, or follow what is effectively a 'painting by numbers' class, while the presenters leap around gesticulating wildly and telling us what we can 'get' in the latest 'kit' have dumbed down the essence of craft in the public perception. Everyone carrying out these instantly gratifying activities is called a 'crafter' whereas I think I am a craftsman, or craftswoman. I studied and worked for a qualification, and I've practiced and honed my skills over a long time. I just hate to be lumped in with the 'cut and stick' brigade. I wouldn't want to deny any of these people the enjoyment they derive from their hobbies, but when they fetch up with their cut and stick cards at the same artists and craftsman market as me and tell me that I am putting off customers because my well designed and lovingly created handmade goods are too expensive, I GET A BIT CROSS!
Great blog! And...I love this topic of discussion.
I have a ton I could say and probably will in one of my upcoming posts on my blog.
Come visit sometime...
http://www.crafterbs.com/
Theresa
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