Monday 27 February 2012

Knitting needles at the ready...

Due to recent actions I've had to question "What is the criteria for running similar events in some one's turf?"
Not that there is anything wrong with it in principal, essentially I've always held  the opinion that the more creative events the better... but when is it not OK to just barge your way in and take over?
The answer is simple...so painfully simple that I'm surprised the culprit hadn't given herself the chance to think about the implications before answering.
BUT then again I think that's the problem, not thinking has more implications that anyone could at first predict. The answer was: "Oh, you're not happy? I hadn't contacted you because I was too busy but I'm still going ahead regardless of what you think or feel...ya da ya da ya da ya!"
Being polite doesn't take too much time and using "being busy" as an excuse is both unimaginative and dare I say a little bit lazy.
Finding the time to be considerate should be a natural thing, like closing your eyes when you sneeze, and offering a resolution like "maybe you can organise it then" is puzzling but does actually show me the real intent of your actions.
The intent that basically someone like this has no motivation of doing anything off her own back but is happy to latch on to someone else and let others carry her through life. Why would you have some one else organize it for you?  Isn't part of the fun organising and running the event?
Obviously not for leaches forever content with jumping on someone's band wagon and riding it to their common destination.
I really don't try to claim ownership or even boast that the venue was nothing before us but actually in the craft stakes it was pretty much us who took it there.
So why is it then when I search through the Stitching & Bitching hand books, the web sites, forums etc that there is no mention of being considerate of other existing groups especially when they've been tiredly promoting craft and have made that venue their home? Aren't we all working towards the same goal?
I think that apart from mentioning "you should find a venue which is well lit and not necessarily the most popular one on offer" but also adding "if there is already a group operating in your chosen venue please make an effort to liaise with them so both of you can find a happy space where there is room for everyone!"
I agree. There is room for everyone but there are also lots of lazy hangers on and that really isn't even recognized in our falsely perceived fluffy, cosy craft community. Beware because unfortunately all is not what it seems. It's not all about sharing, promoting craft and hand making. It's also about shameless self promotion and egos in an already over saturated platform. Don't get me wrong the "real Crafters" are making a dent in the mission to bring craft to the forefront and I am very pleased with their presence but the "wanna be's" well they're here too ( and there are way too many of them hence why it's over saturated!) because if there's anything of worth around you'll see them riding it, clambering to get on to everybody else's backs.
Where there isn't any room is on our backs...not anymore, so if you do insist on setting something up from where we operate...play nice and we might play too!
 



3 comments:

Unknown said...

I am sorry to hear that there seem to be issues within the local craft scene, and I think it would be really helpful to know what this post is about? It reads like a threat of war and seems very menacing, especially to somebody like me, who does not quite grasp what is going on exactly and who is taking what away from whom. I would loathe unknowingly getting stuck between enemy lines. :o(

munano said...

Hi Annika.
The person in question has been contacted. I really wouldn't want to make the name of this culprit public or give away that many details but use the experience as an example of what is unfortunately happening within the craft community at alarming rates and for this not to happen all it takes is a bit of courtesy and common decency.
Though forgive me for asking but why would you be caught in the middle?
Best wishes.
Debbie

munano said...

I need to elaborate on that Annika...the post is aimed at a particular type of person and the person in question will probably read it so...yeah it is an act of war! There are so many cool,lovely people in the craft scene and unfortunately we've had to deal with a lot of "not so lovely" ones so by now we're at the point that we've had enough and we will protect what we've worked so hard for! It is an act of war in a sense but also a cry of frustration.The aggression part is only aimed to the action of persistent inconsiderate activities we've encountered! I really think you have nothing to worry about. :)