How revolutionary are you feeling?

Handmade Revolution is now offering crafting seminars for adults, kids and teens in embroidery, sewing and chainmail jewellery. Read on to hear all about the reasons and values of learning to craft.

The thing about revolutions is that they require participation. No one ever had a revolution all by themselves. A revolution of one will get you institutionalized.

There are a few different ways to be a "handmade revolutionary". You can spend your money on work from artisans, instead of mass produced trash. You can learn to repair your clothes and household items so that they last. You can learn to make things for yourself so you have a greater understanding of what goes into producing something of worth and so you can be in charge, in a small way, of your own material destiny.

Things are hard to avoid.  In a big way our things help to make life worth living. When you wear something beautiful that you made yourself, you will feel empowered by every step, every unconstrained movement, and every time a stranger says, "what a nice coat". The ability to craft is power. It gives you a piece of control of your every day environment. It makes you a little less of a cog in the wheel of some corporation's money making scheme. It gives you back a piece of yourself.

This has been my experience. There is nothing like the feeling of having made something successfully and being able to wear, or use it every day, so every time you look at it you smile inside. There is incredible reward in fighting through one of those brutal craft problems that makes you want to pull your hair out and winning, trying one thing after another until you find just the right solution. There is incredible value in the process, as well as the product. I guarantee, if you start crafting in a serious way, perseverance and problem solving are just two the skills you will be honing. And the bonus is, you will have something awesome you can wear at the end, and the capabilities of making more.

In honor of this, my deeply held certainty that crafting is empowerment, Handmade Revolution is going to launch into the next phase of its existence. I will now be offering seminars in various craft skills geared towards adults, kids and teens. I have outlined some of the value I see in learning to craft, but here are a few more positive results, in case you need convincing. It is a great way to work on your hand-eye coordination, it teaches patience, it hones focus, it clarifies the mind, it is immersive (you can't be distracted while working on a craft project, so it can help you find calm when things are rough). For teens it can be a refuge from the chaotic ravages of life, and potentially a way to make a bit of pocket money. It encourages generosity, because you have to find something to do with the things you make. Need I go on?

I was raised around crafting. I attended a Waldorf school as a child, where handwork was considered an important class. My mom has always dabbled in knitting and sewing and in highschool I began making chainmail (I am well aware that this is not the correct name for it, but it's the one that post people recognize) as one of the most compelling ways to find sanity available to me. Who has money for drugs when you spend all your money on anodized titanium links? I also started sewing, and I started learning the basics of garment construction the hard way by trial and error because that's my favorite way to learn.

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A piece of crewel wool embroidery in process.

In honor of this, my deeply held certainty that crafting is empowerment, Handmade Revolution is going to launch into the next phase of its existence. I will now be offering seminars in various craft skills geared towards adults, kids and teens. I have outlined some of the value I see in learning to craft, but here are a few more positive results, in case you need convincing. It is a great way to work on your hand-eye coordination, it teaches patience, it hones focus, it clarifies the mind, it is immersive (you can't be distracted while working on a craft project, so it can help you find calm when things are rough). For teens it can be a refuge from the chaotic ravages of life, and potentially a way to make a bit of pocket money. It encourages generosity, because you have to find something to do with the things you make. Need I go on?

I was raised around crafting. I attended a Waldorf school as a child, where handwork was considered an important class. My mom has always dabbled in knitting and sewing and in highschool I began making chainmail (I am well aware that this is not the correct name for it, but it's the one that post people recognize) as one of the most compelling ways to find sanity available to me. Who has money for drugs when you spend all your money on anodized titanium links? I also started sewing, and I started learning the basics of garment construction the hard way by trial and error because that's my favorite way to learn.

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I don't do much chainmail anymore but pictured below is a sterling silver dragonscale bracelet

When I started reenacting, I was catapulted into a world where I had every excuse to make clothing, and with the help of my knowledgeable historical sewing friends and in learning from many mistakes, my skills developed at a rapid pace.

Me in a completely hand sewed medieval gown with embroidered accents.

I regularly teach chainmail seminars to the kids at Inglenook community high school, the amazing alternative school which I graduated from ten years ago now. I often help new historical reenactors to learn to sew their own garments. I have worked at three different summer camps with kids and teens, and I regularly help teach an historical martial arts class to adults.

I love watching someone learn the complexities of the processes of craft, and the pleasure people get from their own unexpected abilities. Everyone is different and there are definitely those who don't love craft the way I do, but I find that most people can get some serious satisfaction out of learning a new skill, even if they don't plan to do it every day. 

So have a look at our events page, and see if there is something that appeals. If you are just looking to see some of our gorgeous new jewellery or if you want to meet me in person to talk about crafts and seminars you can attend our Tea and Treasures event at The Center for Social Innovation, located at 720 Bathurst street, on Sunday April 12th from 2 to 5. 

A blog for spring

I know it's really not spring yet, but since it is noticeably warmer today, spring is what's on my mind.  I haven't blogged in a while but that is not for lack of news. I am going to take this chance to fill you in on what's been happening over at Handmade Revolution.

Our most exciting news is that my jewellery is now available at a lovely little clothing boutique called Erietta's located at 320 Danforth Ave.

So if you ever want to see our work in person, and have a chance to brows some excellent clothing as well, I recommend you head on down. The lovely ladies at Erietta's are sure to find you something excellent to wear.

We also have two new Medieval sections, so if you are looking to browse through our historical items you can see them all in one place now. We have lots of belts and belt fittings as well as some jewellery, including brooches and rings, like this new Medieval stirrup ring I made last month.

We also have a new custom work gallery where you can now view many of the custom projects I have made over the years. If you would like something special made for yourself or someone you like, I encourage you to browse the gallery and see the incredible range of possibilities, like this custom signet ring.  

Last but not least, we now have a wedding and engagement shop, where you can get a better sense of our prices and the numerous possibilities. So if you or anyone you know is looking to get hitched I hope you will direct them to me. I love the feeling of creating a custom piece people can use to celebrate their love, like this custom engagement ring with a purple sapphire and diamonds I recently made.

Hopefully we will have something fun scheduled soon where you can come see all our new products in person, but don't hesitate to browse our shop, where the newest work is near the top.

CSI Craftshow

I just wanted to take a moment to talk about the upcoming craft-show at The Center for Social Innovation. I have attended 2 shows at CSI at this point and each one has been really inspiring. If you don't already know, CSI is a co-working space which focuses on socially conscious businesses and ideas that help make our world a better place. When I discovered CSI I was amazed by the number of vivacious and creative people who worked there. When you enter Coffee Pub, you feel a wave of engaging energy. It has an incredibly welcoming atmosphere. And you can't help but feel connected to something bigger. 

So far the craft-shows I have attended have been extensions of this great dynamic. I have met interesting people, with unique and exciting ideas, people who are committed to trying to make a better world, in whatever way they can.

It's wonderful to feel like you are in participating in something that brings like-minded people together, and that everyone is on the same page in terms of community-participation, local purchasing and conscious living.

Just to give you a few examples of the wicked artists who will be participating in this show, we have the wonderful Caroline Nevin, of Garnet and Ashes, who makes beautiful mixed media fine art. 

Jennifer Rong who creates amazingly cool reclaimed wood jewellery and housewares,

Mildred Strange, of Bad-Ass Baby, who hand-makes baby wear for the tough baby in your life.

Amanda Covill Hyde of Stitch Noir who crochets beautiful scarfs and wraps.

The big plus around this event is that there is going to also be a bar, and appearances by Cycle Toronto, and The Tool Library which is like the coolest thing ever. There will even be a Secret Santa giveaway which should be super fun.

It's going to be a glorious opportunity for some mindful consumerism ( my new favorite term) during the holiday season when we are all too often ready to scream from the need to be inside malls (malls are horrible are they not?)

The event will take place from 2 PM to 10 PM, at 720 Bathurst St. and there will be much food and congeniality, so come on by after work, see what you can find and meet some awesome people. Plus, this place is literally a 5 minute walk from Bathurst Subway so it's really easy to get to. How could you not go really? You can join the Pop-up page on Facebook to keep up to date.

That's all for now, but I hope to see you there!

If you can't make it, Handmade Revolution and Garnet and Ashes will be sharing a booth at the Local TO Mrkt at 335 Yonge St. just north of Dundas St. on the 13th and 14th from 12 PM to 10 PM so you will still get another chance.

Aurora