The Importance of Craft

1/4 pound Combo Box of Beastie Biscuits by UberDuperCreations

It’s more then just an outlet for creativity, which is how I often see it, and which thought process often leads me to judge what I make: Is it “creative enough”? Is it “truly unique”? Does it show “natural talent”? Is it beautiful? Is it Art? None of this matters. Well, no, of course it matters, but it is not the *only* thing that matters. It is in fact very far from being the most important aspect of craft.

Humans evolved using our hands to create. It is our use of tools that has allowed us to progress to this point. Thumbs and prefrontal cortex, that’s really all that allows us to be the kings and queens of this jungle (and yes I realize there are those who would disagree, and I’m sure I’m grossly oversimplifying, but it’s a model to base my thoughts on for now). I believe we have a deep, inate need to create things with our hands. I believe it is literally what we evolved to do. To create with tools the betterment of the planet.

Part of the neurosis of society, and definitely part of my own neurosis, is the remove we are at from creating the things we need to survive. Our lifestyle is one of spending spending spending to get what we require, and yet there is always more to desire. But what if we remove ourselves from that cycle, and look around us at what we already possess, and see if we don’t already have everything we need? Why not change our focus to anticipating our needs, and creating what will fill them, in advance of the desperate impulse buy. This is how our ancestors lived, and to me it feels natural.

I’ve been working on ways to live more sustainably, but so far it’s been more a lot of big ideas rather than hands-on work. Like a lot of people lately I’ve been guided by the mantra “Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without” And yet I couldn’t resist the big sale at Old Navy a few weeks ago. I’m working on it. It’s like I tell people who aspire to be vegan but aren’t able to give up cheese or even meat yet, every meal you *don’t* eat these things helps. The good you’ve done by abstaining from animal products at breakfast and dinner isn’t negated by the chicken sandwich you had for lunch. It’s a process. I am in the process of learning to live sustainably.

Our first attempt at a garden this summer bombed, because I did not put in the research and effort to be sure it was done right. I thought the richness of the rabbitat soil would make up for all my failings and I was wrong. But I’ve learned from that, and now we are working on a garden of leafy greens for fall harvest. And next spring we will know better. A process. And for me, my goal is to buy no more mass produced items. (One exception might have to be shoes, unless I can find a vegan shoemaker who handmakes shoes that can stand up to a farming lifestyle. I used to thrift all my shoes but I’ve been turned off to that ever since the pair that made my feet smell…I realized my feet were not the only things living in those shoes!)

And most importantly, whenever I need something my first question will be “can I make it?” There is nothing more satisfying than making. Than knowing you have the skills and ability to create your own happiness and fulfillment. It goes so much deeper than the actual object made. We talk about the self-sufficient lifestyle, but I don’t know that we always really hear the words. Self-sufficient…I am sufficent…I am enough. I can make what I need. I can make my own happiness. And what could be more beautiful than that?