I’m in the mood to stir up trouble! Not sure why, I woke up in a feisty mood this morning! I’m pondering something though. The other day I had a good surf around the net in complete awe of some of the art/craft that people do. Amazing.
However, in running Helping Handmade, I’m also made aware that there are a lot of very tacky crafts out there. Quite a few of these are done in the name of reusing recyclables, but frankly are they really the sort of things that you will have around your house for years? Does that matter?
What defines “ticky tacky” and where’s the line between that and art and craft. Obviously, by my link the picture above, I don’t consider this box to be “high art.” I’m sure it could have a purpose, but it also is akin to things that you are given and in a year or so (when it’s safe), they are donated to charity or put in a garage sale. We have a good friend whose mother makes doll tops for air fresheners—some might scoff, but she lovingly puts detail into them and my daughter adored it!
I know the angst of crafters who lovingly make afghans and quilts though and those end up in garage sales or in someone’s basement too. So, how do we increase appreciation, but also draw the line. I hate being compared to a crafter who uses glue and tacky elements to create something … however, I have seen amazing creativity with just a bottle of glue and some paper.
Obviously, my mind is not made up on this, but I thought it would be great fuel for discussion. What do you have that might end up in a garage sale and do you think people are gaining any awareness for the work that goes into a lot of craft items?
Tacky or Craft? How Do You Know the Difference?
By: Frequently Wrong But Never In Doubt (View Profile)
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I was raised by a non crafty mom and did not learn to sew or knit until I went to high school. I would love to inherit the quilts and things that others are so burdened with.
I agree with you and sometimes do not know where the line is also. I am one of the people who love to make quilt tops I use to embroider them and now they are on the endangered species list. they don't really make they them any more. The only thing I can say is , one make sure as much as possible that you know your person who you are giving the gift to. someone who doesn't appreciate the work going into it, you don't give it to them. I have to quilt my own quilts now cause they cost way to much for others to do them. That doesn't include the time 1700hours or more per quilt top to embroider. That is an investment that will go up in value as the years go on, (esp if enitialed and year put on the quilt it was made) The other stuff I do I try to make practicle things soap, bathsalts, decrative tin with baked goods, candles I make. Even that I really investigate what they like and the fregrances they like so it will be of use and pleasing with out alergies being infected.
I made incredibly tacky mean cards - they probably often end up in the trash. See what I mean http://dirtyshankcardchallenges.blogspot.com
Although I consider myself fairly crafty and therefore appreciate the hard work that goes into handmade items, I sometime have a hard time with all the crafty gifts my MIL gives us. She's a VERY good quilter, but her sense of color combinations is a little off, which makes it difficult to find a suitable location for some of her creations. So far I haven't had the heart to donate or sell any of her gifts. i do try to make the point once in awhile that I can't stand clutter, so hopefully she gets the hint that she should keep the gifting to a minimum.
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