Authenticity Part 2: The Handmade Movement

Last week's thoughts on Authenticity motivated me to do more research.  I began to ask myself questions:  When exactly did the Handmade / DIY Movement begin? What started it? Is it as big as I perceive it to be?

The Do-It-Yourself mentality has been going strong for some time.  This article from the National Building Museum illustrates how both the surge in home ownership between 1890 and 1930, and a multitude of new products with step-by-step instructions in the 1950s and 1960s,  transformed hobbyists into handymen and handywomen.   Amidst the enthusiasm of DIY Home Improvement, This Old House was first broadcast in 1979.  It's popularity continues today.

This Old House is a favorite show of mine.  Watching the team progress through the home remodel is fascinating.  The crew completes each step thoroughly.  No mediocrity here.  Everything is built to last.  Local craftsmen are commissioned to fashion ironwork for balconies, repane original windows, and replace vintage trim with historically accurate pieces.  This teamwork keeps the house authentic.

I return again to authenticity and our desire for it as consumers.  We do not want the same exact thing as everyone else.  We do not want all of our purchases to be manufactured  in China.  We do not want cheaply made.  We do not want unsafe.  We do not want pesticides in our vegetables and meat that is burdened with antibiotics.  Fortunately, these opinions are prevalent.  We are doing something about it.  We are getting smarter about purchases.  We are growing our own food and supporting CSAs.  We are making. We are recycling.  We are upcycling.  We are crafting.   

Our search for the genuine, unique, or quirky has been made much more accessible by the internet.  Online marketplaces such as Etsy allow the buyer not only to purchase handmade and vintage items, but also to communicate with the creator / seller.  Artists have the opportunity through Etsy for their work to be put in front of a global audience, to make a living without the necessity of a brick and mortar shop.  Artisans are taking their own passion for authenticity, individuality, and durability, and becoming social entrepreneurs. 

I may not be an expert yet like Norm Abram on This Old House, but I am learning.  I am acquiring many new skills along the way.  I am making.  If something that I create with my own hands is liked enough that a person wanted to give it as a token of friendship, love, or appreciation, that is all I need to feel rewarded.
 

Authenticity Part 1

I recently watched the movie Chocolat (2000).  A few days later I watched a TED Talks on the topic of "What Consumers Want".  I felt that these two viewing experiences tied together.

In the TED Talk, author Joseph Pine explains why consumers value authenticity.  He states that we want genuine experiences, not drive thru or big-box, megastore type experiences. I agree.  For example, when I think about trips I have taken and the meals consumed during those trips, some are considerably more memorable than others.  I recall eateries that are off the beaten path; the local places with distinctive dishes and original decor.  I consider activities such as hiking through a forest or playing in the ocean waves authentic experiences.  Events that have me completely immersed in the moment and surroundings.  I want to drink in the sights, smells, tastes, and sounds.

How does Joseph Pine's theory on authenticity relate to a film set in a constrained French village during the year 1959? If you have not seen it, a brief overview:  Vianne (the lovely Juliette Binoche) breezes in to a small community with her daughter and opens a shop.  Vianne is an expert chocolatier.  Coincidentally, the season is Lent and the townspeople are counseled to avoid tempting confections.  Vianne is not disheartened.  She believes in herself. We observe her warmth and morale radiating to and influencing the villagers.  They begin to trust her.  Vianne does not judge them or expect certain behavior.  They confide in her.  They gain confidence and begin to see their true selves.  Not surprisingly, her chocolaterie becomes successful. This film relates to the TED Talks because Vianne provides an authentic experience through her shop.  She is true to her heritage - we learn that her mother was also a chocolatier.  Vianne is true to herself by doing (making) what she loves.  The happiness which comes from it radiates to those around her.  It is even reflected in the colorful clothing she wears.  She does not try and conform to the town. (Vianne's daughter asks why she does not wear black shoes like all of the other mothers.) She invites passers by to come in and experience the chocolaterie; providing them a friendly, non-judging, inviting place that has customers returning.  Why do they return? They enjoyed the memorable, genuine, authentic experience.

Adding Texture to Precious Metal Clay

Precious metal clay, PMC, is a versatile medium to use for crafting.  In an earlier blog post, I gave a basic overview of metal clay along with some guidelines on getting started with it.  Now I am sharing a favorite attribute of this material - its ability to accept texture.

  Texture is defined as: "the characteristic visual and tactile quality of the surface of a work of art resulting from the way in which the materials are used."

Textured items are very appealing to me.  I love their depth, feel, and visual interest.  In a pmc beginner course, I was introduced to texture tiles.  These are flat rubber stamps.  The instructor helped me create a necklace by pressing these tiles into the metal clay; leaving an imprint.  I was hooked.  I wanted to make more jewelry and I wanted it to be original.

A purchased texture tile

       

 My enthusiasm led me to create my own texture tiles.  Four things are needed to do this:

• an object with small, raised or imprinted details - items found around the house are good to start with
• distilled water in a spray bottle
• two ounces of polymer clay
• toaster oven *

*Home ovens are not recommended.  Polymer clay releases low levels of non-toxic fumes while heating.  These fumes can leave a residue in the oven which would be re-released when baking food.  Check into getting a toaster oven that will be designated solely for polymer clay crafts.  I found a nice one for $15 at Goodwill.

Create a texture plate:

1. Assemble the materials.  Pinch off 1/4 of the polymer clay.  Condition the clay until it is soft and pliable. 
2. Roll the polymer clay out like dough, leaving it at least 1/8 of an inch in thickness.
3. Spritz the surface of the clay with distilled water - this prevents your textured object from sticking to it.
4. Press the texture into the clay and gently remove.
5. Happy with the results? If not, squish the clay and repeat steps 2 through 4.
6. Place the texture tile on a plain index card and bake in the preheated toaster oven at 275 degrees Farenheit for 15 minutes.  When the time is up, turn off the oven and leave the clay inside until the oven is completely cool.  This strengthens the clay. 

A few of my homemade tiles

                                                   

To inhibit the texture tile from sticking during use on metal clay, lightly apply a substance such as Cool Slip, olive oil, or Burt's Bees Natural Hand Salve to the surface before making an imprint.

What is Precious Metal Clay?

An image of a stunning necklace followed by the caption "created with precious metal clay", set me on a path of exploration.  Precious metal clay? What is that? As a girl that grew up loving Play-Doh, then Model Magic as an adult,  I had to learn more.

Precious metal clay is a substance developed by Mitsubishi Materials of Japan in 1990.  PMC is microscopic silver or gold particles combined with water in an organic binder to form a material with qualities similar to modeling clay.  As with other soft clays, metal clay can be sculpted using hands or simple tools, shaped, molded, and given texture.

After a precious metal clay creation has air-dried, it is fired in a kiln or with a hand-held torch.  This burns away the binder leaving only the pure metal.  Depending on the type of metal clay used, some shrinkage will occur. 

Sounds amazing, right? A couple of things before you run out and buy it:

 * It is not cheap.  A 16 gram package (this is just over half an ounce) of silver PMC is around $37 and can fluctuate with the silver market.  As expected, gold metal clay is significantly higher.  Copper and Bronze metal clays are lower cost alternatives.

    

* It dries out very quickly.  You'll want to know what to expect and plan your design before opening the package.

I highly recommend enrolling in a beginner course before purchasing any materials.  I found a local certified instructor with whom I spent a Saturday; happily learning the basics.  A one-time class cost me around $75.  This included instruction time and all materials.  I left the workshop with my own necklace and a head full of ideas...that I am still building on.

Visit this gallery for a slideshow of designs by PMC artisans.  Fascinated? Search for a local class.

If you are already familiar with pmc, Cool Tools is a great resource.  The site includes an online learning center with videos, guides, and projects for beginners and beyond.  Cool Tools also offers the most competitive pricing I have found when  purchasing precious metal clay. 

Baking Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

I love breakfast food.  This particular bread is so delicious, that I actually look forward to getting out of my warm bed on cold mornings to eat it.  

The Recipe

2 cups flour
1 cup sugar
1 Tbsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 bananas
1/3 cup milk
1/3 cup peanut butter
3 Tbsp vegetable oil
1 egg
3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Cover the bottom of a loaf pan with non-stick cooking spray.  Combine flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in a large bowl.  Mash the bananas in a medium-sized bowl.  Add milk, peanut butter, oil and egg to the banana mixture.  Stir well, then join with the dry ingredients, mixing just until moistened.  Blend in the chocolate chips.  Spoon the batter into the loaf pan.  Bake for 60 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Total servings:  9 thick slices

Daily Dose of Wonder

I have a creativity coach which I regularly consult with.  She is positive and upbeat each day.  Her words inspire me to be my best, artistic self.

Jill Badonsky is my creativity consultant.  The words and advice I receive are through her book, The Awe-Manac: A Daily Dose of Wonder.  This playful guide is reminiscent of the Old Farmer's Almanac, but with a more-fun-than-practical approach.  Rather than predicting the weather, Ms. Badonsky proposes a "toast of the day"; celebrating little delights that we may normally take for granted.  She does not offer much instruction on farming.  However she does feed the soul with her "daily soul vitamins" - quotes that she anticipates will ignite your heart energy.  The Old Farmer's Almanac may suggest daily commonsensical activities such as washing windows.  The Awe-Manac might propose an amusing exercise like drawing on your windows.  Famous birthdays and holidays (a few of which are made up) are also observed.  (Did you know that January 22 is Cat Appreciation Day or that February 8th is Think Like A Kid Day??) Jill Badonsky's creative prompts are entertaining and designed to stimulate the artistic mind.  Pick up your own copy of the book and prepare to laugh, smile, and be reminded not to take life too seriously.

Bring on the New

What does 2012 hold for Indyspire Art? I am ready to be back in the workshop.  Fabricating jewelry regularly sparks new ideas, which has left me with a sketchbook full of concepts for original pieces.  In the coming months, imaginative designs for both women and men will be added to my Etsy shop.   I will continue working with quality materials; my current favorites being copper, precious metal clay, and sterling silver.  These beautiful metals will be incorporated into rings, necklaces, earrings and bracelets.

As the monthly planner fills with creative time and blogging, and more content for tracking the latest fashion and trends is added to my Google Reader, I am increasingly excited for this new year.  Here's to a fabulous 2012!