Crafting Community

I have been doing some research for places that develop community around crafting through shared learning environments, third places, and events. Blim, located in Chinatown of Vancouver, is just one of those places. From the outside, Blim looks like a 80s clothing explosion, but walk in and you realize the place is doing more than trying to sell you clothes.

Blim has a small retail storefront that sells a range of handmade items from clothing to buttons to silk screens. The retail space helps connect consumers to local artisans and craftsmen of Vancouver. Look beyond the store and you see large workbenches, organized tools and piles of materials. Blim offers daily classes (roughly CAN$70) including book binding, drawing, collages, fabric dyeing, and sticker making. They also host a variety of events including movie showings, musical guests, and art exhibits in their upstairs gallery.

I did some research prior to my arrival at the store and had a basic understanding of what they do at Blim. I thought, however, that if it was my first time there that the space seemed a little confusing. The outside windows made it seem like it was a vintage clothing store and it didn't indicate or hint at what the store really does. I would liked to have seen more of an invitation to take the classes or been provided better information about the complete offerings of the store.

Cloth With A Story

I came across Spirit Coth blog the other day which mesmerized me with the beautiful photos and richness textiles. The blog itself contains photos of daily life, natural patterns and color inspiration, and documentation of her process. Her textile work reflects a larger story which layer itself into the textiles that could only be expressed through handmade work.
"The basic understanding of your materials is crucial in developing the character and individual style of your craft and the satisfaction that comes with that. . And so I have come to define style as the embodiment of this relationship."

Image courtesy of http://spiritcloth.typepad.com/spirit_cloth/

Following in the Slow Food Footsteps

I recently had the opportunity to talk with the owner of The Bobbin, a sewing and craft lounge in Burlington VT about her business and her perspective on the DIY craft movement. She had this to say about the craft movement:"Personally I think of this movement as similar to the local food movement and where they were at 10 years ago. Now we have have a big consciousness about eating local, buying local, my kids know the names of their farmer, they been to the farm where their veggies are grown. There is that level of awareness that we would really love to see with our clothing."

I agree!