Think arts and crafts, and you might think pony beads, lanyards, and summer camp.

This is a craft. (Click the image for more info.)

Or maybe you remember your Grandma’s crochet blankets or knitted sweaters. And when craft shows come to mind (for most of you they probably don’t), it’s probably an image of a church bazaar complete with doilies and painted Santas.

But if you’ve ever heard of a little thing called Etsy (check out this awesome clip from Nightline), you’ve probably noticed that arts and crafts no longer carries the pipe cleaners and Elmer’s glue stigma. In fact, the handmade movement is alive and well, even in our local community. Events like Renegade, Crafty Bastards, and Rock and Shop are growing every year, and the craft scene in Hampton Roads is getting bigger all the time.

So what is considered crafts these days? Sure, there are the old standards like knitting, crochet, and embroidery (though now often found in more modern forms such as knitted iPhone cases). But in my mind, at least, crafts can be just about anything made by hand. They are usually functional, and though not mass produced, are often made in multiple quantities.

Just skim through Etsy and you’ll see how diverse the crafting world has become. Lately I’ve seen quilted laptop covers, felted slippers, hand printed onesies, paper lamps, dutch ovens, furniture made from reclaimed wood, beer steins, and a crochet octopus (who doesn’t need one of those?). From the practical to the whimsical, you can probably find somebody who makes it by hand, either on Etsy or in our own community.

Crafters love elephants (and most other nice things).

I belong to an incredibly eclectic group called 7 Cities Crafters, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned from them it’s that the craft world is more diverse, active, and exciting than most people think. (Yes, I said crafts are exciting. It’s true). This handmade movement is about more than hobbies and pastimes for many local artisans, myself included. For me, the idea of living a handmade lifestyle is about living out the principles of sustainability, simple living, self-reliance, environmental responsibility and stewardship, and in a sense it can even be a form of local and global activism. Plus, it’s a way to channel my entrepreneurial spirit (you’ll find that many crafters are entrepreneurs in some form or another) and make a small living.

So, in order to dispel some myths about arts and crafts, here are some of my observations for those uninitiated in the world of handmade.

1. Craft show does not equal church bazaar. You may not find it in this area (yet), but there are some pretty sweet craft shows out there (see those mentioned above), with not a doily or redneck windchime to be found.
2. Not all crafters are old ladies who knit sweaters for their cats. I don’t even like cats very much.
3. Not all crafters knit. I’ve tried. I’m awful at it. I have a lot of admiration for those who have mastered it, but it’s just not my thing.
   

   So crafty you could eat off it.

4. Most crafters appreciate quality and good craftsmanship. True, there are some who don’t (I don’t usually enjoy making fun of people, but you really should check out Regretsy for a good laugh). But handmade doesn’t have to look handmade. Most of the crafters I know produce some high quality work.
5. Crafts are not exclusive. Sure, some skill is required, but as long as you can handle a glue gun or an X-acto knife without completely mutilating yourself, there is probably some form of craft you can master. Though many crafters are also artists, you don’t have to be an artist to be a crafter (the line between craft and art can be pretty blurry sometimes, but that’s a subject for another day).

The thing is, crafters just like making things. Using our hands. Being creative and finding an outlet for that creativity. And the awesome thing is that the handmade lifestyle we love helps us release stress, find friendship and community, and can even be good for the environment. What we now call crafts was once a standard of living– people had to create things to manage their everyday lives. For many of us, crafting takes us back to a simpler time, and I think that’s good for our souls.

So come join us, friends, in this lovely world of craftiness. For a great introduction to the world of local crafting, check out the Etsy Craft Party on June 10^th at 757 Creative Space.There will be demos, chances to try your hand at some simple projects, and an opportunity to meet some very creative individuals. We may not all be Martha Stewarts (and no, she is not every crafter’s idol), but we love what we do. We think you’ll love it, too.