I’ve been writing a book with co-author Charlotte Abrahams, that will be out this autumn, published by Quickthorn.
Recent years have seen a decline in craft and creative education in schools and a shift from practical to theoretical learning models in higher education. Young people are leaving school with no idea that craft-based careers are even possible, and graduates of craft-based degree courses are entering the workplace with so few hand skills that their employers must train them from scratch.
The cover of our new book features the intelligent hands of Mosaic artist Cleo Mussi, photo by Carmel King
The book includes the personal stories of ten people who have discovered that working with their hands has improved their quality of life. Through the three sections of the book, we look at how physical labouring became separated from academic study, how we became divorced from the materials that surround us and the important role that the crafts and creativity play in education, not just for the lower streams, but for everyone. In short, how making is a skill for life.
I’ve been a little quiet recently. Did I mention that I started my own publishing company Quickthorn Ltd? It’s just yours truly trying to navigate the whole thing, so it would be really helpful if you followed @quickthornbooks on the various media channels. I’m committed do doing everything I can to manage our carbon footprint, from the solar panels that heat my office to printing in the UK. Did you know most books are printed in the Far East? The heaviest cost is the transportation of all those pallets around the world. Ours are printed down the road in Exeter or recently in South Wales, so not that far to come. I hope you’ll find something you are tempted by or that is useful to you.
Launching this November is Celia Pym’s first book, On Mending: Stories of damage and repair. Beautiful photography and moving tales of some of the interesting people Celia has met on her mending travels.
There are more exciting crafty titles to come so sign up to the newsletter for offers, events and updates (not too often).
If you’re thinking about learning some new things in 2022, or gifting a workshop for Christmas, this is perfect. I’ll be teaching crochet in Gloucestershire and in Sussex as well as the usual darning evenings too. There’s a special darning day coming up at Prema Arts in Uley, (home of the lovely Uley ales) in February. Have a look at the workshop page for more details.
I’m delighted to have been involved with the making of this book, Small Steps to Less Waste , that we hope will encourage people to choose simple alternatives to mass-produced, highly packaged goods and be inspired by the Stroud community who are finding the time and courage to make, create and look after what they have, rather than throw away and create waste. This is the next title in the Quickthorn list as a follow on the successful Darning: Repair, make, mendby Hikaru Noguchi.
The book was inspired by Stroud resident Claudi Williams who lived without plastic for a year, quite a challenge. We ask: What are the tipping points that lead people to make significant changes to their behaviour like this? Do the small acts of individuals make any difference in the big scheme of things. Claudi went on to set up Action on Plastic and royalties from the book go directly to the charity. Twelve people were asked to contribute practical projects and ideas for small changes we can make to our everyday lives. I was also captivated by the photographs of Trudie Ballantyne, course leader of photography at Gloucester University, who has collected items on a beach and arranged them and then showed her work at a talk about climate change that I attended.
‘While it is true that the challenges of our time require systems change and large-scale actions, they also demand that we all do what we can in our own lives and our communities. Stroud has long been a kind of hothouse for new ideas, led by people with the courage of their convictions and support of those around them. This practical and inspiring book draws together the stories of ordinary people who decided to “be the change,” and who will be your guides into a more sustainable way of living. The main takeaway from this book? That all of these changes, rather than diminishing us, actually make our lives fuller, richer, better connected and more purposeful. Wave farewell to plastic and discover a world of ingenuity and creativity!’ Rob Hopkins: founder of the Transition movement
Crochet rounds
Make your own yarn
Small Steps to Less Waste: Stories to inspire change is published 31 March. You can preorder the book here Hawthorn Press. There will be an online launch event at 6pm GMT on 30 March 2021, chaired by yours truly, so register your interest on the Hawthorn events page.
