Material World

Material World

Crafts
Today in Maine, on the heels of snow and ice storms, we have
rain which will harden quickly into ice, making for treacherous
walking and driving. People will be spending more time indoors. If
you are one of them, please don't fall into the default habit of
endless tv watching or exchanging pleasantries with hundreds of
virtual friends. There are constructive alternatives. Perri Lewis'
Material World: The Modern Craft Bible introduces readers to a whole
lot of them.
This is a particularly good book for people who haven't done
anything crafty since scout camp or primary school and associate hand
made stuff with little kids and elderly maiden great aunts. Nothing
tacky about its offerings. A double-chain necklace with strategically
placed beads looks straight out of a boutique. A reusable cover can
neatly upgrade a diary or notebook. A snazzy encrusted belt would add
a touch of elegance to any outfit. And there are ways to make dull
walls and furniture eye catching.
The benefits of crafting go way beyond saving money and
recycling. In a world of conformity, you and your enviroment can be
uniquely expressive. The rythym of something like knitting can be as
tension relieving as meditation. Mastering new skills can enter one
into a community of those who share an interest. And in a world where
more and more is done on the Internet, crafting helps rebuild
connections with the physical world. "You can liken it to the ancient
but newly popular concept of mindfulness, where being acutely aware of
the way things smell, taste, touch, and feel is being taught to
everyone from the depressed teenager to the burnout CEO to counteract
stress and anxiety."
Nuff said?
And don't you want to know what the guerilla-knitting movement
is all about?
On a personal note, kids and I have been making good use of Adam's
snow day to send out for pizza and watch Monsters University, a family
favorite DVD.
a great big shout out goes out to Betsy Webb, Joanne Harriman, Rick
Lyons, and the other superintendents who had the sense to cancel
school on a very messy travel day!
Julia Emily Hathaway







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