Sunday, November 14, 2010

Is it Appropriate to Craft in Public?


A few weeks ago I was sitting in my car having quickly dropped my eldest son off at his martial arts lesson.  I was patiently waiting for a better carpark to become available before going into the martial arts Dojo to watch.

Now when I say watch … I actually sit there making things and glance up every few minutes or when it sounds interesting... this is essential as either myself or Daniel will be practiced on during the week so you have to know how to get yourself out of a choke-hold or when you’re going to make a quick transition from standing to flat on your back on the floor (believe me, you only make the mistake of not watching once!!). 
I only make small things while I’m there – say a wire-wrapped ring, or I might be embellishing a paua pendant etc – little items where the tools and supplies can fit in a small snaplock plastic bag.

So, I’m sitting there in the car listening to the radio – and the radio announcers started talking about how one of them had been commuting on a bus with a funky looking girl in her early 20’s who was knitting – the whole conversation turned into a debate about ‘nana crafts’, who does them and is it appropriate to do them in public – hilarious!! To hear two guys (I’m guessing themselves in their mid 20’s) talking about the resurgence of crafts and “arty things” and their opinions on it and where it should be done had me in stitches. 
So I’m wondering - do you think it’s OK to craft in public?  Do you do it?

19 comments:

  1. Oh yes - its soooo OK to craft in public. And great advertising for you too, cos people are gonna wanna know what you're doing, then they'll ask if you sell it and before you know you have a new customer :)
    Natalie (www.peruzi.net)

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  2. Great post, Mel! I've never really had this discusssion with other crafters before. As for my 2c worth - I don't craft in public usually, but that's only because I'm a creature of habit :) I like to craft in private, surrounded by all my supplies (because I'm a 'fly by the seat of your pants' kinda girl...I never know exactly what supplies I will need until I get to that stage in the project!). I have tried to bead in public, but I always feel self-conscious and uncomfortable. I guess, for me, beading/crafting is a very private thing. But I know of others who happily bead/craft in public :D I wish I could...it'd make the projects come together faster!

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  3. I definatly think its ok to craft in Public. I often take different bits and pieces and of course it also depends on the time of the year...... Knitted sox whilst waiting in the Dr's surgery " to which can be often 1/2 behind). I hate wasted time...

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  4. Absolutely okay - I haven't done it much because I am sort of like Amanda - I also like to have all my stuff around me because my designs are often in a state of evolution and I don't know what I might need. But still if I was to do say a wholesale project where I am making several specific designs I could see myself "going public!"

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  5. I often craft in public. If I'm sitting and waiting, I try to be working.

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  6. I often use wait times for crafting. I try not to be too open about it and it does depend on what I am doing, but it always attracts attention. Sewing things up is easy to carry around and pull out for a few minutes. So yes! It is ok!
    Joy (kazzalblue)

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  7. I always knit and crochet in public. I can't even think of how it would be inappropriate! What were the reasons you heard on the radio?

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  8. I don't think there is anything wrong with crafting in public if you can do it. When I make beads or jewellery, I get into the "zone" and can't stand distraction, so I don't find my time productive trying to craft in public. However, I do take my creations into work occasionally and show people how a certain stitch is done or how things are linked together. It is more like a teaching workshop so I don't feel so exposed, and don't need to be in the "zone".

    If you can be in your "zone" in public and don't mind people watching then GO FOR IT I say, it is a great way to spread the crafting love.

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  9. I keep a small diabetes medication case (which is only abou $8 and very durable) with a small project in it, usually a seed bead project. That way i can work on it if I find myself waiting at an appt, etc. It often draws questions from people and even has led to sales.

    I can't imagine why it wouldn't be "appropriate in public", I've seen a lot more questionable things done in public, lol

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  10. As a working mom of two hockey players in the winter the only time I can work on items is at the rink (we live at the rinks on the weekend). Well I craft at the ones that are not freezing cold!! I use the time to open or close a bunch of jump rings, filing ends, weave a chain. At lunch time at work I often have lunch with one of the guys while I work on a necklace or bracelet and he is my best advertising cause he tells the guys that the best gift for their girl is something I make...cause women like anything custom made lol.

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  11. As a non-crafter I have to admit if I saw someone knitting, beading or similar in public I would first think of them as a bit of a nana, but then probably admire them for doing they love and having the courage to do it in a public space if that's how they enjoy to craft/bead etc.
    And if you're not trying to sell to or impress those around you, their opinion is none of your business. ;-) Enjoy!

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  12. Ooh, plus I should add I think it looks strange because a public place is typically one where you go to be *social*, and by crafting you might be seen to shun interaction.

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  13. Thanks everyone for your wonderful comments, I've enjoyed reading your thoughts and experiences :) . I definately don't CIP (craft in public) everywhere - just the one place, except this past weekend when I had to take kids to the local pools for the afternoon and was desperately trying to get enough items together for 3 clashing markets/events - I sat in the shade and surruptiously embellished a bracelet on top of a beach towel so I wouldn't look wierd! But generally speaking, I like seeing people making their crafts in public - there's a time and a place really I think. And yes, radio DJs, while you're travelling on public transport is definately one of them!!

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  14. Excellent topic Mel, I had never really thought about whether or not it is 'appropriate' - I just go ahead and do it wherever I feel I can and have some time on my hands. I always craft at a market, as it draws alot of attention. Also I have found people get really interested in what I am doing (particularly on the ferry) I notice people gaping at my fingers instead of at eachother!! I have met some nice people this way. Where did these 20's boys think we ought to 'do it'??

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  15. It's OK ... My name is Julia and I'm a Public Crafter...

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  16. An interesting and amusing post Mel! Also your little tale of the perils of inattention at the Dojo brought back memories of my childhood...

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  17. absolutely it's okay!
    I crochet in my car when I'm stuck in traffic and sitting at traffic lights, and at work in my break times and when I'm on conference call meetings, and... well you get the picture (mind you I might have a crochet addiction problem!)

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  18. I'm very much a public crafter. When I can get myself organised to have a project on hand, that is :-)

    Oh, and there's a group of us in Wellington who regularly craft in a bar. Nanas we are not!

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  19. Hi Mel, I often used to knit in public and I just thought I'd share this little story. When I was in high school, I used to take my knitting to school so I could knit during lunch time. I also always knitted when I watched TV. One day my English teacher puts on a video for us...it seemed the most natural thing to me to just get out my knitting. My teacher was NOT AMUSED!!

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