An Image

I did this in a photo class the fall semester before last. I cranked up the contrast and removed the dark cluttered background. It's my favorite pic of me and boyfriend, Jonathan. (It's my mother's favorite too, and she's kind of a no-hand-holding-in-my-presence sort of woman.)

 

This is the original picture, before any photoshopping was done.

My First (stupid) lolcat

My apologies. Turns out I chose a picture that requires me to purchase a license. I'll be redoing this assignment soon.

Define Craftivisim/In Class Writing Reflection 2/28

This is short and sweet, as far as definitions go, than again, maybe not. Craftivisim: the act of using craft/crafting to make a statement or send a message with political/religious awareness in mind.

As for my own work, I don't feel it is so much activist because it is assigned, or it is filling a need that can't be met else where. Sure I could go buy a scarf for the bf, but I'd have to compromise on color, length, material. I could go and purchase a necklace or bracelet but then again, there is compromise. If I already have the idea I want, why not execute it myself. So, than again, maybe it is saying "damn the man" for not giving me what I want and doing it myself. I mean, if you want something done right and all...

Purchasing the crafts of others, that I can see as being an activist. I find more joy in buying from the local farmers market than any grocery store (and I work at one) or knowing the individual that probably spilt some blood sewing a quilt or threading together an ornate set of earrings. I know that, sure, I can buy it less expensively at a big box store, but I know that it is worth all my pennies knowing it wasn't made with exploited labor.

Craftivist History/Craft Hard Die Free

Greer writes almost as if she is writing to herself, explaining the evolution that has taken hold of her life. She comes off as enraged but hopeful, curious, a little timid in her endeavors but still pushes forward. She recognizes her choices may not be the best in hindsight, but you do the best with what you have. Though she does addresses an audience, I doubt she is addressing a singular type of person. Even though she does make her political views clear to the reader (woman’s reproductive rights, and the war on terror) I don't see her saying that this craftivism is only for those with the same ideologies. It seems clear though that she wants voices heard but in a more productive manner. Instead of one rally/protest that is only heard/seen by the participants/spectators present and those news agencies that dare share the story, it seems more pertinent to have "agents" across the county/state/country sporting a pin/patch/hat/armband that airs the same message. It starts a conversation. It leads to research, getting involved and a larger voice heard than of one protest. Less damage caused than one protest. Her essay, coming from an experience approach versus research, sounds more common person, every person, than that by Black and Burisch.

Black and Burisch's Craft Hard Die Free has more of a research paper feel. The audience more academic than lamens. They speak less from their own experiences and more from a this-is-what-we-have-learned-of-others-and-now-we-will-share-with-you. Though, this is not to say, that their information is any less or more important. The political scope of craftivism goes further than wearing a badge for or against an idea/act. It can be as simple as awareness and as homily as comfort and warmth as is the idea and effect of the AIDS quilts. It can also bring people’s attention to things that would otherwise be ignored such as Barb Hunt's antipersonnel series which at first sight you see intricate knitting works, but upon further examination of the exhibition the onlookers learn of the "...global context of the project through a booklet...[that] includes detailed information about landmines and their use worldwide..." (210)

I can't claim that it is hard to see the link between craft and activism; we have read so much that clearly illustrates it. However, even when forced to think about their connection, I really don't. It comes down to keeping the ideas separate. Sure a person could quilt or knit a blanket for AIDS patients or for soldiers but I see it as a project for that purpose, no craft. Yes, craft is being used, but crafting isn't the real purpose behind it the statement of awareness or support. I find it interesting that even though craft has been and continues to be used to propagate movement, that I still find a disconnect between the two.

Wanted to mention...

The last article we read mentioned Biedermeier furniture, the Milwaukee Art Museum has a permanent collection on display, and since this coming Thursday is the first Thursday of the month admission is free, even to the Accidental Genius exhibition that has been recommended by Kristin. Also, they are open until 8pm which is supper convenient to go to after being in classes all day. Parking can be a mess or expensive, though.

The Good, The Bad, and What it all means

Absolute best learning experience would be building my own computer. It started with a book. It walked me through all the hardware components I would need, how they would fit together and how to make sure they were compatible for each other and the software that I wanted to use. Next, I had to find the hardware that would fit both wants and needs. This consisted of hours of clicking back and forth between NewEgg.com pages comparing prices, sizes and other specifications. Eventually, all my pieces arrived and I had to put it all together. I watched a video tutorial on how to safely remove and apply thermal paste. Was called a “newb” when complaining about trouble shooting woes on facebook, (apparently you don’t put everything together straight away, just a few parts to make sure they work first). Spent a few hours near tears because I couldn’t get power and I swear I plugged everything into the right ports (I didn’t.) Then finally, after about twelve hours (not straight, there was a break for my actual job and sleep) My beautiful, beautiful machine was up and posting, and I was able to install my operating system.

The twelve hours was only the building it. I can’t tell you how many times I read and reread that book, and checked back for specific information. Met a guy on the NewEgg FB page who was super encouraging (got a lot of trolls telling me to go back tot he kitchen and make them sandwiches) The thermal paste video, probably saved me from frying my mother board and ruining my CPU. And of course there were the endless hours of shopping. It happened at least twice, I was already to ‘check out’ and I would find that one of my items wasn’t available, which meant, not only replacing it but other components. Over all, the pace was, about two or three months. And damn was I committed. Not a single person, including myself, was going to get in my way. As of today, not even a year later, I’ve built two computers, and am looking forward to my third.        

As for my worst learning experience. I don’t think I’ve ever been in an “un-learnable” situation. However, two situations that didn’t exactly help the learning process. Once, was last semester for an online English class. The instructor was absent. She didn’t help lead or guide discussions, beyond the question or two that was to be addressed. There was no feed back until after the semester was over, so at no point was I or any of my classmates aware of strengths or weaknesses, or just plainly, where we were standing. The other, would be a few years back when I tried teaching myself guitar. I was doing pretty well, teaching myself to read music, and was able to play “Ode to Joy” without mistakes, though a bit slowly. However, there was one person that kept telling me it was a waste of time, and my money, or made me feel guilty for spending the money on myself instead of on them. Even though I got supportive words from friends and family, the negative ones won out and I eventually quit playing.

The difference between these two situations is mostly the support. The good experience, I didn’t give a flying &%^$ about any of the negative comments, because they came from people who didn’t mater. The two bad experiences, well, I got either no support or negative support from an instructor and a significant other. Those are pretty important people not giving encouragement when and where needed.        

In regards to my learning and crafting experiences and what they have taught me about relationships with other people, is that these success have the same characteristics of the best relationships. You start off excited for something new. Maybe you fumble at the start, or get comfortable and make mistakes. Some enough to pull your hair out, but you end up with something beautiful in the end and worth all the strife. Crafting, and I will include computer building in the, because there is a delicacy to which one must handle the components, and an accuracy for it to turn out usable, just reminds me that you can’t quit when things don’t go as smoothly. That there is more satisfaction, when you can work through problems, instead of not bothering with them. As for day to day interactions, well, I have a new pool of knowledge to share and discuss, relating to a wider selection of people I share interests with.

Playing With HTML

We are looking under the hood today. Wow, that's exciting. Really.
I can't believe how thrilling it is. Here's what's so great about it:

1. tags look like carrots,
2. internet nerd jokes make so much more sense now,
3. and staring at HTML code is how I like to spend my Friday nights.

Crafting thus far

For the crafting part of this course I decided to return to crocheting. I picked it up several years ago, when I worked at WalMart, to participate in a store quilting project. It was easy enough to pick up plus the effort was going to help people. For class I opted to make a scarf, one) because it is a pretty basic item and 2) because I know it will be put to use once I am done (unlike coasters or hot pads.)
Honestly, this was a bit ambitious. As of this moment, I’ve put in maybe two hours and I only have about eight inches of a scarf, and I want a long one, about six feet not including fringe. I enjoy this craft because it is simple, I’ve been able to work on it during the car ride to and from campus (the boyfriend is driving) or while I’m “watching” television. At the same time it does take some concentration, I have snagged yarn, missed loops, starting to tightly or to loosely, though most of the eight inches are pretty even the scarf did start out a bit narrower than it has become.
I haven’t learned any new more than the two loops or knots that I picked up when I first started but I am looking forward to learning how to seem things together once I get further with this. This is taking a lot of patience, and with what precious little time I have between two jobs and three classes, that is effort. It will be worth it though for several reasons: I’ll get better, I’ll have a quality product once I am finished, and it will be an assignment I’m proud to get graded on, versus something that I just turn in to get it over with.
I can’t say there is to much to think about while I am doing this, when I’m not counting stitches or fixing snags, I’m usually going over in my head what else needs to get done with the time I have, or I’m listening to the television or the boyfriend tell me about his day. It is rather calming, much better than mediating.