Making
it out of nothing
Crafting, stitching, rag rolling, varnishing, reworking - everyone is doing it, but is there really a business making something out of nothing?
Michelle Hatcher goes to investigate our love of the sticky stuff
It's a joyous occasion don't you think? When you're presented with something created by your little offspring has spent all morning at preschool making you. You treasure it don't you? This little thing built with glue, glitter and a toilet roll. You are not sure what it's for, but it's yours to keep. And I will bet if you children are now old enough to be presented with their children's masterpieces, you still have theirs in the loft!
It is no wonder that we warm to the idea of making things for a profitable cause. Etsy and the like are shining examples of this wonderous creative world which urges us to make haste to Hobbycraft and fill the basket. Yet how many of us actually succeed in making a living out of it, or is it forever destined to remain the second hobby of the stay at home mum?
Folksy is crammed with dainty pieces of this and that while colleges and night schools all around the UK are filled to the classrooms with people bringing in chairs to rework and upholster. There is a business to be made for sure, but you have to be good enough.
'That's the key' Says one crafter, 'You have to be patient too. But it must be remembered that you can't just sell on line. You have to be doing the local fairs too. Nothing beats face to face marketing in a town hall.'
So, the balance is what's required. In a world where we are fast paced and high wired techno wizzes, is there still a place for the arty? Indeed yes!
We might all be strapped up to our iPads and iPods and tweeting every five minutes, but there is a call from the past which draws us curiously into a banner in the street marked 'craft fair here today.' There is something strong and deep in our systems which urges us to support local trade and not just the bakers in the village. We admire skill. It is inbuilt within us to appreciate good quality produced out of someone's front room in front of EastEnders