Before & Crafter in a Nutshell
I sequentially recreate the amazing crafts from a 1975/76 encyclopedia of crafts, document the process online, and auction everything I make for a fantastic cause.
Before & Crafter in Detail
I'm Stephanie Avery, a Toronto-based artist and finder of amazing things. As an occasional purveyor of crafts, my world was shattered when
I found the 1975/76 Greystone Encyclopedia of Crafts, abandoned and unwanted, on
the front lawn of its previous owner’s home. I rescued the
Encyclopedia from its despair and we became fast friends. Since that day
my mind has been opened to the universe of crafts.
Twenty-four volumes of your favorite (relatively) obsolete crafts from the
1970s, The Greystone Encyclopedia of Crafts is amazing. From abalone shells to zoetropes to everything in between, and
in no particular order, this encyclopedia has every traditional craft
you could ever hope to learn (and more than a few that would make most
sane people run away screaming).
Over the years I've used the encyclopedia to guide my way through various practical and artistic projects (curtains! upholstery! Nintendo hook rugs!). Still, I don't feel like I've used it to the fullest extent of its capabilities. That's all about to change.
This winter I'm going to go through the encyclopedia and systematically completing as many crafts as time will allow. The process will be documented online at
beforeandcrafter.ca, and will yield one-of-a-kind beautifully crafted works, as well as
some fabulous monstrosities. The process is going to be an exercise in learning, creativity, and sanity.
Come spring every piece I make will go up
for auction with (hopefully) 100% of the proceeds going to
SKETCH, a fantastic local organization. Among other things, SKETCH creates opportunities for young people who are street involved,
homeless or otherwise on the margins, to experience the transformative
power of the arts; to build leadership and economic self-sufficiency in
the arts; and to cultivate social and environmental change through the
arts. SKETCH is awesome, they do so much good work, and I want to give them money.
How You Can Help
Before & Crafter is going to get expensive. I'm going to have to buy a ton of supplies and material, plus rent equipment, plus get memberships to specialized DIY spaces, plus get some tech stuff to properly document everything, plus transportation to get it all (somehow I don't think my bicycle will cut it when I need, for example, bricks for a backyard kiln).
I am but a mere artist with rent to pay and a tummy to fill. Before & Crafter is happening no matter what but at the end of the day I would much rather see the auction proceeds go to SKETCH than to reimbursing myself for the cost of the project. That's where you come in, dear internet. With your help I can bring this project to life in the most beneficial way possible. Contributing to Before & Crafter is like hitting two needy birds with one donation stone - you get to help an artist create new work AND you contribute to a fantastic organization.
Perks!
On top of the karma points you'll get from helping Before & Crafter you'll also get some fun gifts from me. Depending on what you pitch in you could receive the following:
Decoupage Postcards!
If you're contributing $15 or more you'll be getting a heartfelt, handwritten thank-you card. But not just any card, goodness no. You'll receive a print of a decoupage postcard made by yours truly. If you're contributing $25 or more you'll also get a blank postcard to do with as you please. You can see most of them
here. If you ask really nicely, depending on what I have available (almost all of them), I might even accept requests.
Stickers!
Sometimes I love to put on a bad movie and make a ton of adorable stickers. I like to give them as gifts or decorate places that are in need of cheer. If you contribute $25 or more you'll get a baggie of at least 10 delightful hand-made stickers.
Perler Ornament/Necklace
If you were a child in the eighties you almost certainly went to a birthday party where all the kids got to make their own Perler bead crafts. If you didn't get to experience this joy, well, you were probably better off not playing with ear canal/nostril-sized beads that needed to be melted with a blazing hot iron. Amazingly Perler beads are still around.
By now you may have noticed the connection between pixels and crafts, a connection I have utilized to the utmost nerdiness. And will do so again throughout Before & Crafter, as well as in the very near future while making new Perler ornaments/necklaces for you! Anyone who contributes $50 or more will get their very own NES Perler piece. With Christmas coming I thought it would be nice to offer the option of tree ornament or necklace. Christmas will come and go before this campaign is over but if you get the $50 perk by December 17 I will try my darndest to ensure your gift arrives by Christmas. If you get this perk after December 17, fear not, there's always next year.
Portrait Finger Puppets!
I am pretty excited to be personalizing one of the actual crafts from the encyclopedia. Friends, if you bid $100 or more you get your very own portrait finger puppet. It can be of anyone you want. Yourself, your kid, your childhood pet, Ryan Gosling, anyone! Think of the hi-jinx you and your finger puppet will have! What tremendous fun! These are going to be a tad time consuming so this package will almost certainly not make it to you for Christmas. Expect it in January or February.
Paper-Making Class!
Feel like you can only get so far learning crafts from an encyclopedia? This is your chance to get your hands dirty with amazing in-person paper-making classes.
Paperhouse Studio has graciously donated three classes to Before & Crafter. Paperhouse is a paper-making collective that just set up shop in the brand new
Artscape Youngplace building. They offer paper-making workshops and exhibitions, lectures and
demonstrations, as well as custom paper projects - and they're great people.
"We are offering three intro to papermaking class passes. Pass entitles you to participate in either Intro to Papermaking as a one day 6 hour class or two 3 hour classes
offered at Paperhouse Studio. Class covers the basics of sheet forming in
cotton and abaca, use of colour, lamination and inclusions.
Participants will leave with a variety of coloured paper that they have made themselves. Classes start in January 2014."
You read it right, there's only 3 classes available here. Each class is valued at $250, so this is an amazing deal. PLUS I'll still throw in all the previous perks! The only catch is you need to be in Toronto to participate. Holy Smokes!
Mystery Craft
I can't get into too much detail about what the mystery crafts shall be. All you need know is that they will be most excellent. And that you'll receive almost all the other perks (no paper-making class for you)!
To Sum It Up
Before & Crafter is happening regardless of how much money I get from this campaign. Even if you can't contribute now, keep your eyes on the B&C blog. Maybe you'll spot something special you'll want to bid on in the spring. Heck, even if you can't bid on anything then, there's going to be more than enough hi-jinks, special guests, ridiculous crafts, and fun times to keep you entertained through these cold winter months.
Thanks! And happy crafting!