How to Be a Craftivist: The Art of Gentle Protest

by Sarah P. Corbett

305 pages, Paperback

Published September 3, 2024

Reviews

[Sadie · Rating 5 out of 5]

At first this book was not what I was expecting. I was expecting the author to use more metaphorical language about craft to talk about the qualities activists should be like. I also expected her to be more open to applying these ideas more broadly. We got into more specifics than I had expected! In the end I appreciated this because I have a clearer grasp of what craftivism really is- both in the details and in a larger way of being sort of way. I like that craftivism is about engaging deeply and being open minded to other humans- kinda goes against what people think of as activism. Also while reading it I realized that I had not really engaged in thought about what activism is and how to do it- I learned about it through models but I haven’t really thought beyond that. I slugged through the beginning but I got more into it about a third of the way in. Right now I am trying to figure out how to engage with craftivism, whether I really do a craft with crafterthoughts as a form of inner activism, or I bring this to my students, or I get brave enough to engage in the gift-giving to powerful people? I want to go back and read some of the first few chapters to see how I might start.

Her writing style took a little getting used to because she is British. Also, she uses the word charity a little different than I am used to. Finally, I found it funny how classically into “politeness” she is, it was at times a little much for my American brain to handle (even though I’m midwestern!).

[Judith Palmer · Rating 3 out of 5]

A purchase from our David Parr House museum (Cambridge) visit in December …. Fascinating, pragmatic, engaging and inspiring read and the quotes at the start of each chapter set the perfect scene …..