Extreme Craft

Crafting a Compromise

Ahhhhhhh.  Claire and I have settled into Southern California quite nicely.  I was informed by a colleague this morning that "dude" is the business casual salutation of choice in these parts.  What better way to kick Extreme Craft back into gear than a mini-feature on Politicraft?!?  Talk of wooing the soccer mom vote is incredibly passe--not to mention strategies about appeasing the religious right.  The hot new political demographic is officially....THE CRAFTER!  I'd like to see Rudy and Hillary spouting their craft bona-fides during an upcoming debate.  To do so might be unwise for the Democrats, though, because I'd bet that Dennis Kucinich can macrame like a sonofabitch.

In that spirit, Jessica Vitkus, author of "Alternacrafts" has created a eye-popping slideshow for Slate.com of politicraft for voters of all stripes.  For the fearful, there's a "Homeland Security" blanket, featured above that will snuggle away even the highest threat levels.  She's also created handgun cozies, pro-life onesies, a "coalition of the willing" torture playset, and other right wing treats.  For the lefties, she has created a secular alternative to the tried and true "bless this mess" cross stitch sampler.

Whatever your political leanings are, the power of craft can't be denied.  CRAFT THE VOTE!

LINK thanks, Julia!    

Movin' Movin' Movin'

Hey, Gang!  My whole life is crammed into a 26' foot Penske truck right now.  Claire and I are on the road, moving to our new life in beautiful Huntington Beach, California.  I probably won't get much of a chance to blog from the road, but I'm saving up all sorts of goodness for y'all.

Back soon!

Naughty Bits

Yesterday I read a short article yesterday about the theory that there is an innate biological response among skinny people that causes them to shun overweight people--even at a very young age.  The reasoning goes that the body fears that it might be able to "catch" the overweight bug, so it provokes a cruel response.  Hrm. 

I suspect that Lawrence, Kansas-based Taylor Triano never experienced this response.  Her textile art revolves around portraits of the folks who live at the margins of society.  There's a lot of empathy wrapped up in these little babies.  Triano is nothing if not prolific.  Her website, Lil' Bits is filled with dozens and dozens of mini-portraits of the weirdo down the street.... okay, most of us ARE the weirdo down the street.

That's what gives her art its special edge.  I always hated the word "fugly".  I propose a new word that celebrates distinct physical characteristics as a virtue.  "Hugly", anyone?

LINK