There has been some interesting conversations going on at make and meaning - articles on fostering community, finding your creativity, on the topic of “Free” in the creative community (sister diane and paul), on comments and readers, articles about how to spot genuine people, and others on ditching the good vibe suckers from your life, some lighter stories about what to wear while making, and about the creative process in making, others focused on craftivism, articles on ironic craft - or the lack of … What an incredible bunch of thoughtful, well written and inspiring articles. I was engrossed for over an hour and was really inspired by the comments and readers who are interested in and involved in this wonderful crafty community of ours.
Some of the more recent articles are themed around instructing us how to blog – to be genuine, to not copy, to be ourselves, to not be negative, to give away stuff but not too much stuff … I was left sort of feeling a bit paranoid. Seems like we have built this amazing crafty community, and everyone wants in and some people are not prepared to the take the long road and follow the rules (yes every community has rules, it might just take a while to figure out what they are). There is a yucky taste in my mouth, and I am not sure where its coming from. However I am glad that make and meaning are honestly talking about these [unspoken] rules.
From push by dudecraft
We push and promote and market our way to mediocre results, time after time; following someone else’s joyless formula when we could be blazing our own trail.
On (Blog) Fame by MeetMeAtMikes
Blogging for fame is just down-right shallow. Hatching a plan, developing a persona, carrying out a strategy, strings-attached linking, prolific commenting, all zero-ed in on Blog Fame, … It clogs up the internet with Little Faux-Peeps…
Joining an established, cool and interesting community takes guts and determination, and trying to have a voice in that community takes hard work and honesty and genuineness, I am pretty sure there are plenty of fakers out there but such is life, and expecting our enclave to remain pure is naive. Seems that these topics are really hitting a nerve and making people think – and that is never a bad thing. If you want to use your blog to make a bit of money on the side – go for it, if you want to join and be part of any community (and the crafty/design online community is no different) – then be honest and open and you will be welcomed. So don’t be afraid, (although even I am a little afraid now), don’t be put out – show us what you have got – the wonderful thing about the internet – is that it is a freemarket of ideas and memes – the good ones will rise to the top and the rest will either adapt or perish. So if you are feeling a little weird about your beautiful blogging style, nervous about courting fame by leaving comments or submitting your posts, or paranoid that you doth protest too much – don’t – just be true to yourself.
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What spurred this whole conversation, anyway? Sounds like someone had sour grapes about something, though I can’t pinpoint what.
Right now. I like this sort of dialogue. It is god to challenge assumptions and examine one’s own motive, but it is also important that people remain open-minded. Sometimes I get the distinct sense in the crafty blogging community that there are “in” and “out” groups–the “haves” and the “have-nots”. Its all about creating in the end and however that happens, as long as it is honest, should be celebrated.
Sounds snobby & pretentious to me. I have thought about starting a blog for a while, but this attitude has me decided against it. What if I’m too bland? Make a “Faux Peep”? Better not to offend anyone with my mediocrity!!
Blogging is a form of creativity in itself and in turn helps you and others to explore new ideas; it has all the same highs and lows as any craft. Farm Girl – don’t be put off – if you’re happy with what you do and have integrity, then you’ve nothing to fear – I promise!!!
Jen x
Thanks for such a thoughtful article!
As part of the Make and Meaning team, I just wanted to pipe up and say that, personally, I think our blog is all about inclusion. It’s not about snobbery and rules and such but rather about encouraging each other to put our best stuff (which is different for everyone) out there and to make a stronger, more connected community. I encourage everyone to take a trip over there and read the entirety of the posts that the above quotes were taken from. I can see that, on their own, they could be taken to mean any number of things. In context of the larger pieces, I think their true meanings become much clearer. Having said that, if you read them and still think they are snobby, I encourage you to speak up in the comments! The last thing we want is a bunch of rah-rah cheer leading with no dissenting opinions.
Thanks again for the great post!
Best,
Paul
Thanks, Jen. Will ponder it some more! I hate to break New Years Resolutions, and that was #3 on the list!
Hey guys
I definitely recommend reading the full posts over at M&M and make up your own mind and have your say!
I think you should start up your own blog – make it whatever you want – sell your stuff – make some money – the internet provides so much opportunity – take it and run with it. Or just make stuff, have fun, write about your life – make friends and share ideas – I love that you can either or both or all of these things. As my hubby said – there is a lot of shit out there online – but you don’t have to look at it!
be well and thanks for reading
Kathreen
Thanks for writing about our blog, Whipup! I think there is some great discussion going on over there, a lot of it is about how being yourself is ‘good enough’ and lots of ideas about staying inspired and having fun with your craft! Looking forward to hearing what people think! Thanks again!
I like this summary as I don’t think it pays to hem people in too closely with our own interpretations of the rules. Being yourself is great but heaps of people are constrained by economic needs and that is never classy in the artworld where people are after the “pure”. I think we should all be allowed to do what we like with our blogs so long as it does not include ripping others off. It may be great to stir up comment but I am not keen on it when juniors start to question there own genuine selves. Cherrie
Thanks for writing this. After reading what is going on in our dear blog-land, I get overwhelmed and freeze. I’ve started a blog (totally new) with the goal of helping me pause each day and see the inspiration around me. Although I’d love to find peers in the craft community, my bigger focus is being true to me – inspiration and reflection on my every days.
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