Make- it Mondays: Yarn Bombing

Some of you may have seen our fellow RNEST teamie Karen Duncan, of Duncan Creative, in the news this week. She has been yarn bombing in her Rochester city neighborhood, bringing color and joy to residents with her craftiness. I chatted with Karen to find out, just what this art form is and how you can drop little crafted bombs of your own.


Buenahelena : So, what the heck is yarn bombing?

Karen: Thanks for your interest! It is really such a silly and fun way to use up WIP (works in progress) that are just laying around here! So yarn bombing is basically guerrilla knitting/crochet or crochet/knit graffiti. It started in Houston, TX.

Buenahelena: What inspired you to start "bombing" your neighborhood?

Karen:I just got out the book Yarn Bombing from the library last week and had a lightbulb moment to do the lightpost outside of my house.


Buenhelena: Have you ever snuck around to see how people react and what are the reactions?

Karen: The first day I did it I thought people were going to be like what the hell are you doing, but the entire fleet of landscaping guys across the street from me never once asked a question. The second time I saw people peering out of their windows at me but they never asked. The third one was the one in front of Dark Horse Coffee and then people asked tons of questions...leading up to the interview yesterday.

Buenahelena: Any tips for those who want to bomb?

Karen: Hmmm... if you want to make it specifically for something, MEASURE first! I have a bunch of overlapping pieces, but that is cool too. Also, use the CHEAPEST yarn possible, since they will fade or get taken down or you might have to cover large sections. I use RED HEART acrylic...works great. Bring a hook or a needle and camera. Also, a partner in crime to help you stretch and hold the larger pieces!

Here's Karen at work:

Makes me want to weave bomb! So what if you can't knit or crochet though? Think about leaving a little art card or drawing hidden in a book at the library or with the sugar packets at a restaurant. Leave a sculpture in the sand at the beach this summer or a tiny installation in an elevator. What a fun way to beautify and unify the community...

Make- it Mondays: Create a Charitable Etsy Shop

From: Buenahelena

With the current tragedy in Haiti on our minds, many people in the Etsy community are searching for ways to help. It's called craftivism. There are MANY things we can do as artists to bring hope and aid to people in need of help and to shed light on social issues.

One idea is to designate proceeds of your Etsy sales to charitable organizations. In times of immediate need, for example in the aftermath of Haiti's earthquake, you can offer a percentage of your sales to the cause of relief. If you decide to do this be VERY clear about how much money will be subtracted from your sales, where that money is going and when your charitable promotion will end. In my store for example, I am putting 25% of my sales towards the American Red Cross in support of Haiti Relief and Development until Jan 31, 2010. You can promote this in your shop title, shop announcement and in these Etsy forums. Keep buyers during that time period updated about the total you end up sending out, so they can see their impact as well.

We Are With You - One Love for Haiti by onelifejewelry

A second idea is to create a product that spreads awareness and builds morale. My great friend yabettasupadont has used her skills as a jewelry artist to create a variety of products highlighting her desire to rebuild the culture of her native New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. Many of her designs promote iconic images of the city's homes, street signs, sayings, and traditions. "Spread it like butta..."she says. Sometimes spreading love for the people in need of it is a greater source of strength than money.

Let the Good Times Roll - Maria Fomich/yabettasupadont

It is also possible to create an entire shop on Etsy, simply for charity. There are shops that support breast cancer research, public education and battered women full time, all the time. This is a great idea for a shop run by mulitple people working towards a common goal. Rosie O'Donnell actually runs a charitible shop on Etsy, with all of her profits going to an arts education organization. Etsy has guidelines on how to legally operate these types of shops here, under Charitable Listings and Shops.

Rosie's HalloweenieBOT

Etsy has already raised over $13,000 to aid Haiti through auctions and admin donations.
How can you use your skills to create change and aid relief to Haiti or any cause you feel strongly about?