|
Why are so many crochet-hook-wielding, papermaking, silversmithing handicrafters online? Rob Walker’s Handmade 2.0 piece in the NY Times (login required) explores the history of the indie craft movement, as enabled by technology. Craft as a movement is driven by a rediscovery of the joy of making things, a connection to the lost arts, and a reshaping of identity, culture, and modernity. At the same time, it is a “digital age version of artisanal culture” enabled by sites such as Etsy, a company that hosts an online shopping bazaar for handmade items. This juxtaposition between craft and technology is brought to life by Craft Magazine, which gives lessons on how to “Stitch a Robot” or “Felt an iPod Cocoon.”
|