Quotable Craft
Discover artists, authors, and craft leaders in the ongoing series of quotes about craft. Creative insights are added weekly. Subscribe to our notifications and follow the hashtag #QuotableCraft on social media.
August 2023
August 29
“In 10 or 20 years from now, there may be no weavers at all. That’s something we don’t want to happen because rug weaving is inextricably linked to our tradition and our roots; it’s our cultural identity”
Metaxia Hentenli, Tsakonian Archives (translated)
Craft has the power to connect us through time and strengthens the ties that form our communities and environment. ‘Woven Memories from the Peloponnese’ is a short documentary explaining their relationship to the ancient and contemporary tradition of weaving, design and rug making. Their stories remind us of the beauty and the value of sharing our history and heritage.
August 22
“Crafts signify the evolution of existence, they point us towards the role of rituals and traditions”
Direct Create
As we create, we tap into the wisdom of our ancestors, traditions and communities that have shaped us. Read the full story from Direct Create on Medium.
August 15
“The most fulfilling thing for me, so far, has been watching strangers take care of each other,”
Masey Kaplan, Loose Ends
Small acts of kindness can make a big difference in someone’s life. Today, we’re inspired by the volunteer crafters of Loose Ends, who complete unfinished projects by those who passed.
August 8
“Craft lays down a pathway to create bonds between objects and people.”
Glenn Adamson
Craft has the power to create enchanting connections between people and objects. Imagine holding a locally made coffee mug, handcrafted with dedication and care. How does it change your relationship with your mug and its contents? Let’s take a moment to appreciate the craftsmanship and beauty surrounding us daily.
July 2023
July 31
“Our objects can inhabit us, just as we inhabit them.”
Akiko Busch
Have you ever thought about the impact that objects have on our lives? In her article “The Objects We Keep,” Busch explores the relationships we have with the things in our lives. It’s a fascinating read that will make you think about the objects you surround yourself with.
Check it out!
July 25
“Push your ideas and grow them, for future generations”
Mathew Nuqingaq
Let’s inspire each other to keep pushing forward!
“Build your ideas and keep them. And grow. There are so many directions that will keep you busy for the rest of your life. Never plateau. And it takes time, so no rush necessary.” Mathew Nuqingaq
Published in the Spring/Summer 2020 issue of Studio Magazine (in English).
July 18
“It’s a reaction against mass production.”
Professor Trevor H J Marchand
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by mass-produced products, it’s time to take a step back and appreciate the beauty of handmade goods. Check out “The Future is Handmade” mini-documentary series by Maikel Kuijpers for some inspiration (in English). Let’s support craftsmanship and bring more artistry and passion into our lives.
July 11
“Textiles are everywhere: in our clothes, furniture, home and office interiors, and soft objects like toys.”
Lee Jones
Textiles are not just a part of our daily lives, they are a canvas for creativity. From wearable e-textiles to smart garments, the possibilities are endless. Let’s explore the world of textiles and see where our imaginations take us! Find out more from Lee Jones in her Studio article.
June 2023 | Indigenous History Month & Pride
June 27
“Never think about the end product, it’s about the process.”
Corrine Hunt
“I’m telling stories of us today. My work is filled with laughter, joy, surprise, and peace.” Corrine Hunt
June 20
“Rest isn’t a waste of time, and you deserve it.”
Mel Beaulieu, The Beads Knees
🌴 “If you’re an artist who’s also feeling the weight of the social media machine, I hope you take time this weekend to unplug, to work on something just for you, or to spend time doing absolutely nothing.” Mel Beaulieu, The Beads Knees
June 13
“We still need objects; disciplined, skilled craft.”
Wally Dion
🏋️ “It’s important to have objects in history for people to push against. Work needs grit, technical skill and rigour. I’m trying to raise the discourse for Indigenous makers in Canada. We will be measured in time.” Wally Dion
Read the full story from Studio Magazine
June 5
“Reclaiming culture is a lifelong process!”
Taalrumiq
“Despite growing up immersed in Salliqmiut Inuvialuit culture, I didn’t often have traditional clothes or an opportunity to wear such a beautiful garment until I was well into adulthood. Maybe that’s why I love the walrus tusk design so much!” Taalrumiq
🪡 Content creator and influencer, Taalrumiq creates sealskin couture jewelry and fashion. Please have a look and her beautiful and bright creations.
May 2023 | Asian Heritage Month
May 29
“I believe in art and its social power to initiate change in the world and the strength of unique individual artistic voices.”
JJ Lee
JJ Lee’s mixed media drawings and paintings explore the intersection of Chinese and Canadian cultures by appropriating images from various sources. Lee’s most recent exhibition uses her grandfather’s belongings.
✨ Visit JJ’s profile JJ Lee’s, and many others on the CanAsian Arts Network directory.
May 23
“Sometimes there are just things that you can’t translate,”
Patrick Cruz
“I learned much of my art through a western lens, through western histories, so I think doing things in Tagalog or thinking in ways through a Tagalog lens allows for an alternative perspective, a different vantage point,”
Patrick Cruz is an artist and educator born in Quezon City, Philippines, who lives and works in Toronto, Canada. The intersections inform his practice of folk spirituality, diasporic experience and the role of play within clownhood.
🎙️ Read about Cruz’s exhibition ‘si mabait at si malihim, mga agam agam sa kuro kuro’
May 8
“I love knowing my vessels not only look and feel beautiful, they are made to nourish both the body and soul.”
– Quin Cheung
Fill up with Quin Cheung’s ceramic work. Read the full story by Studio Magazine
May 1
“We see first-hand the importance of the arts and their contribution to our well-being during a time of crisis. Art cultivates curiosity and perspective, bringing insights about ourselves and the world around us. Creative expression is fundamental to the human experience.”
– Pavitra Wickramasinghe
Read the full story from Studio Magazine
April 2023
April 24
“We need to create spaces and process that reclaim our practices as survival and specifically name and value them as art and design.”
– Sheila Sampath
🌱 We Can Build In Different Ways by Sheila Sampath Studio Magazine
👉 Read the full story: https://www.studiomagazine.ca/articles/2020/11/we-can-build-in-different-ways
April 17
It’s #NationalVolunteerWeek! The Montreal City Mission (MCM) sewing circle volunteered their new sewing skills during the early days of the pandemic by making and donating thousands of masks. This is just one of the ways this sewing circle gives back to the community while helping its members learn more about their new home city. Arwa Nofal is the outreach coordinator for the Maa’n/Together program at the MCM, and Dina Basiony is the volunteer sewing instructor for the sewing circle.
Read the full CBC article:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/montreal-city-mission-sewing-circle-1.6676093
April 10
“[…] Discovering nature’s secrets: patterns, shapes and textures. I transform tree fungus, lichen, leaves and bark into one-of-a-kind, nature art jewelry.”
– Lorraine Long, member of Saskatchewan Craft Council
It’s #NationalWildlifeWeek, and we’re inspired to get into nature with Lorraine Long’s jewelry.
Follow the links to learn more:
April 3
“Inspiration comes from surprising places.”
– Cal Lane
How do your experiences, interests or hobbies influence your passion?
Having spent much of her early life as a hairdresser, Internationally acclaimed sculptor Cal Lane is interested in exploring gender roles and conceptual art.
Read Cal’s full interview by Studio Magazine: https://www.studiomagazine.ca/articles/2022/1/cal-lane
March 2023 Quotes
March 27
How do you find your flow?
“For me, a day without weaving is a like a night without sleep.”
– Bonnie Datta
Weaver, Bonnie Datta, found her flow in the rich textures, sights and sounds of weaving on her farm. Meet Bonnie and learn more about her process in the Alberta Craft Council Magazine.
Discover Bonnie’s delights: https://issuu.com/albertacraft/docs/alberta_craft_2022_vol1_digital/s/16519873
March 20
Louise Lemieux Bérubé had the artistic desire to combine industrial technology with her creative voice in weaving.
Follow the link to learn more:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XZrVttRJ1o
“When I knew that there was a possibility to have this technology today for artists, not just for industry, but really adapted. For me, it was extraordinary; it was the impetus that would assert myself as an artist and then transmit my vision of the world more directly. Finally, what I liked and appreciated, and my language too. So, the Jacquard Machine was a gift from heaven for me, and I helped a little bit, of course”.
– Louise Lemieux Bérubé
March 13
“Practicing a Craft is both a life journey and occupation.” – Phil Abernethy
🕰️ Immerse yourself in the journey!
We loved hearing from Phil Abernethy, a clockmaker from Victoria, B.C., from Studio Magazine.
“Clockmaking might seem an unexpected avenue for contemporary creative work but it certainly has ample scope for interpretation. It is a unique Craft that brings together Art, History, Science, Mechanics and Technology.”
👉 Read the full story here: https://www.studiomagazine.ca/articles/2021/5/phil-abernethy
March 6
“This interchange between maker and material promotes the collaborative, inclusive, process-oriented tenets of feminist art, and it places crafts practices within critical feminist conversations ranging from embodiment to climate crisis.”
– Melissa Potter
💡Follow the link in our bio to read the whole story.
💡Read the full story here: https://bombmagazine.org/articles/material-engagements-craft-and-feminist-futures/