The news is getting intense, and there doesn't seem to be anyplace to run or hide. People who have jobs are anxious. People who are looking for jobs are staring down the reality of this economy every day. There is very little certainty, except for the time-honored triumvirate of inevitability that Marvin Gaye memorialized: Taxes, Death and Trouble.
But lest I be accused of a half-empty glass, I keep telling myself to step away from the abyss. There's really nothing to do but make things -- for beauty, for utility, for contemplation, for yourself, for someone else. You can make things, for example, while you watch the news for the knowledge that you're not alone, or to try to figure out what's ahead and how bad this really is. Or when you can't sleep at night.
It's a good time to have more than one project going at once. You want work that satisfies the gods and goddesses of beauty and art, that challenges you creatively and reminds you of your best creative self and artistic aspirations. And you need an option that's portable and doesn't ask much of you, that you can pick up when you feel nervous, or have to sit and wait, or when you just need to do something rhythmic and peaceful. A few years ago, I got rid of most of my yarn stash by knitting easy, basic wool hats, and I donated them all to the local shelter. There are terrific free patterns on Ravelry if you're inclined to do this kind of thing. This isn't limited to stitching; obviously, you can adapt it for whatever skill you have.
This is our silver lining; everyone's remembering how to cook, how to sew, how to use a hammer and nails -- or at least they're realizing that these might be valuable skills, especially if they've forgotten how to do anything but wield a credit card. And it's not competitive homemaking, a la Martha Stewart, but something a little less Type A and a lot more egalitarian, more forgiving and maybe more adventurous.
The age of consumption is over -- that's so, well, yesterday. We're in unmapped territory, and the age of creativity is here. If you've been leaning that way for a long time, you've got a head start.
Photo of Gee's Bend Quilters by Andre Natta
Yes, indeed, Philippa - thanks for your comment.
A friend of mine thinks we should be in a barter economy -- I'm not ready to go that far, but maybe we should say it's the age of creating and connecting. As Morna says, we still want to have a way to trade value for value, we just want it to be a more authentic exchange.
Posted by: Lainie | January 31, 2009 at 11:32 PM
Laine, your post is just so true - and let's not forget how infinitely more satisfying an afternoon creating in the sewing room or studio or on the counch is, when compared to mindlessly wandering around the malls and shops. Just no contest!
Happy creating!
Philippa
Posted by: Philippa | January 31, 2009 at 11:04 PM
Hi everyone, thank you for the wonderful comments. And yes, Morna, good thinking . . . I think we are in agreement. This isn't about scarcity, but a new form of wealth and resourcefulness that isn't measured by having a McMansion or a $4,000 purse.
e14, your blog is lovely. Thanks for commenting.
New post coming soon . . .
Posted by: Lainie | January 31, 2009 at 09:22 AM
Can we qualify that a bit, please? Say the age of grotesque consumption is over. But the age of supporting makers of goods, the age of acquiring artisan-made items, for oneself or as gifts, is just getting ready to blossom more and more. Can we say that? Even if it is only wishful thinking?
Posted by: Morna Crites-Moore | January 30, 2009 at 10:35 PM
Yes, yes, yes. You are so right.
Posted by: Heather | January 30, 2009 at 07:37 PM
What a lovely and thoughtful post--thanks for sharing an attitude that both inspires and enlightens
Posted by: Julie D | January 30, 2009 at 12:16 PM
By clicking here and there from various comments and bloggers, I landed here and found some inspiration and shared interests. Just wanted to say hello!
~Sharon
http://e14studio.blogspot.com
Posted by: e14studio | January 30, 2009 at 08:33 AM
love this post lainie. it is so true. and i love all those ladies sitting around cooking up a quilt and having a real conversation. i think as i said on one of my recent posts...if you live in the heart of something...it is easier to ignore the chaos on the edge. time to find the center and spin with it.
Posted by: jude | January 30, 2009 at 07:59 AM
That's nice. Yes, that's how I feel about the whole thing. I still have my job for now, and one of the young tech guys where I work actually reads my blog... he said to me, "I think art really is the only worthwhile thing." Feels real to me!
Posted by: Chris Mundy | January 30, 2009 at 07:22 AM