Maker's movement

I was listening to NPR this past weekend and heard a program documenting the rise of crafting as a response to our increasingly electronic world. Glenn Adamson described the advent of craft post industrial revolution, as before that everything was handmade. A fascinating interview Sunday on the program, To the Best of our Knowledge, listen here http://www.ttbook.org/book/art-and-craft . This got me thinking about the rise of crafting in my world, in a home without TV, I turn to knitting and gardening as a relaxing yet productive means to wind down or entertain myself. I think creativity is very stimulating for the brain and offers opportunities for challenges, problem solving and decision making in a non-stress, yet productive manner.

My daughter, Val has apprenticed with a master paper marbler, John C. Bielik, of Shelbyville, MO and sole proprietor of Period Papers and Design. John demonstrated his beautiful craft this weekend at Lewis & Clark Heritage Days in St. Charles with the assistance of Val. Paper marbling or using the proper Turkish word, Ebru, is the ancient art of applying swirled paint patterns onto paper. The paint is suspended on a water/starch solution and by floating the paper on that solution, absorption of  the created paint pattern occurs. Very old books often have such swirled paint papers inside the cover and on the end pages. Each marbled paint pattern is specific and created by whisking droplets of paint on the water surface then moving the colors around with a rake. See some of John's outstanding work here, http://www.etsy.com/shop/Bielik .

I am of the opinion that craft is important to preserve. Given our economy and the poor job situation perhaps this is an opportune time to hone some skills in this area. Sell your jelly, or hat... Everyone has a talent, perhaps the maker's movement will fuel the next generation of careers.