Changing the World through Craftivism, is this the future?

This month our blog will be about a very special group of crafters who are trying to make the world a better place one stitch at a time.

Recently we have been working hard with one of our clients, Adapted James, to create a subscription box for their business. The hope is this will provide the client will a more consistent income when they are less able to complete bespoke products due to their ongoing chronic health issues. For our client’s first box they will be collaborating with another activist crafter, endever* of Nerdcore Crafts, who is our featured business in our newsletter this month. endever* introduced us to Boston-based crafter, Anna Clutterbuck-Cook, who started a group called Persistent Stitches.

In the year following the 2016 presidential election in the United States, crafting became an important self-care practice for Anna, and she decided to turn this practice into a tool to support anti-oppression and grassroots social justice projects.  Founded in January 2018, Persistent Stitches provides a way for crafters to support charities and causes through their art. Crafters offer their arts/crafts for sale through the group’s website, to be purchased by direct donation to the crafter’s choice of cause or charity.

During its first year, Persistent Stitches surpassed its initial modest goal of $1000 of fundraising by over 486% reaching a final tally of $4863. Anna has by her own admission been overwhelmed by the support from both crafters and supporters.

So, Flame Marketing went to find out more about this amazing network and speak to one of the crafters involved. Electra is based in Wales and is one of the crafters who are heavily involved in setting up the UK arm of the project. Our interview with her is below:

So, Electra, why did/do you support Persistent Stitches?

I support Persistent Stitches for several reasons, the first is really that I’m completely on board with craftivism. Craftivism, for anyone who doesn’t know, is a when crafters use the process of making items to support activism.

The idea that something I make has the power to contribute to positive social change and justice in a multitude of ways really inspires me. So I don’t just make for the project. I buy from it too. And then give things as gifts with a note inside about where the piece came from and who I supported when I bought it.

That is amazing and I think we can all see how this small act can spread joy in many directions. Can you give us an example of a project you personally have supported through Persistent Stitches?

All my work supports queer, trans, or youth projects, particularly where there is a crossover.

Mermaids U.K. is a great example of a project that enables us to be our best selves at all points in life. My very elderly dad (who is a Twitter devotee) chose Mermaids, he knows I have many trans friends whose lives would have been much helped if there had been more support available when they were younger.

For anyone wanting to support Mermaids or find out more please see the website below:

https://www.mermaidsuk.org.uk/

 So, what do you make and how can we get our hands on your crafts?

I make a range of craft items, custom funkos, (Good Omens is very popular at the moment), character dolls and action figures, knitted flower crowns and tiaras (often for pride or weddings). I just can’t knit fast enough!!

I can be contacted by email or twitter for commission info:

@electra_rhodes

electrarhodeswrites@gmail.com

But the jewellery is only available on Persistent Stitches. And there will be a new range in the autumn!!!

I have had 100% success with contributing to Persistent Stitches! As a maker and buyer. I can’t recommend them enough. I think it’s a 100% win!

So what is next for Persistent Stitches?

At the start of 2019, Anna set a new goal for Persistent Stitches to reach $6000 of fundraising by the end of the year. So, at this halfway point how much have the group raised and what are some of the causes they are focusing on currently.

Each crafter chooses the charities they want their work to support, with the funds from 2018 supporting 76 charities and causes in all, including several UK organizations such as MIND and Mermaids, and charities with international reach such as Eden Reforestation Projects and HIAS. The group also holds “flash fundraisers” where multiple crafters offer their work in support of a single charity or cause. Based in the US, the group are currently in the process of setting up a section of their website specifically for crafters and donors based in the UK — details to come later this summer.

At the time of writing the group have currently raised $2,672.50 towards the $6000 goal, this means that they were just $327.50 away from their target of $3000 by the 4^th July. The next milestone is to raise $700 throughout July. So how can you help them to get there?

You can browse current offerings and learn more about how to donate through Persistent Stitches through their website – https://persistentstitches.org/ – and via their social media channels. (Please note that, until the UK section of the website launches, UK donors should reach out to discuss international shipping prior to making their donation.) You will be getting a lovely crafted product of your choice while also supporting a range of grassroots projects which protect the most vulnerable. Also, throughout the month of July, any supporters donating over £15.75 ($20) for any Persistent Stitches item will receive an additional bundle of 5 pin badges designed by endever*.