Sunday, December 4, 2011
4 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Renaissance Event Venue
285 Queen Street
(corner of Barrie & Queen Streets)
Kingston, ON
Categories
Featured Crafter - Barb Danielewski of Epidemic
Barb Danielewski is a force and an institution here in Kingston.
In her own words:
I find that each craft informs the next, but the place I came from 20 years ago was cutting and pasting, zine and sticker making, thrifting and designing my own clothing: crafting is so deeply embedded in my life I can’t seem to stop talking with the world through images found and re-arranged. I take care to find images that are meant to be shared, quotes that are meaningful, and create quality art that speaks to my experience as an activist, traveller and crafter, as well as my work as a farmer, plumber, and bike mechanic.
I had no idea when I became a bike mechanic 10 years ago that the conversation I would choose to have with the world was mainly one of self-empowerment (a woman fixing bicycles in a male dominated world), practical choices (bicycling promotes community, health, and self reliance), and taking a lighthearted stance against overuse of cars (Cars Stink!) in favour of better infrastructure and visibility and more respect for cycling as a “not weird” option.
Obviously the majority of my process is in the conscious design of each item to contribute something meaningful to people’s lives. I learn more with each relationship I build with boutiques, people I meet at craft fairs and workshops, and artists I collaborate with in my community. Each one of these teaches me something about colour, process, and presentation, and I most love craft fairs for the networking and trades I accomplish with other crafters (and the joy of merchandising)!
