OMG...WTF: Naughty Origami

Appologies to Extreme Craft for borrowing the tag, but seriously, OMG...WTF?

It all started with this morning's regular perusal of the craft books on Powell's. We stumbled upon Nick Robinson's Very Naughty Origami, which led us to Origami Underground (peruse at your own risk) and Master Sugoi's Pornogami and on to the topic of crafty porn, er, reflections of sexuality in Craft.

We've seen knitting, cross stitch, quilting, ceramics, hook rugs, crochet, and pretty much anything else you can think of turned into subversive crafts, but this is the first we've seen pornigami.

Unlike so many subversive crafts though, Origami Underground presents anatomy and sex origami under the assumption that origami is childish and has used the taboo of sex to give the craft a more adult image. Not exactly the complexity of most sexuality based art, but not completely invalid. While origami may not necessarily be childish, we always will welcome to the fold anyone with a new idea about how to use something unexpected and crafty to turn a construct on its head.

Craft Job Post: The Tuanton Press

This is a new feature on Marimello. We hope in the future to list more jobs like this...

As part of a bold, new multi-platform initiative, The Taunton Press is looking for an experienced journalist who is keenly interested in CRAFTS to join its staff as managing editor. Duties of this position include all aspects relating to the production and editing of special issues and digital products and the management of an editorial staff. Successful candidates should have proven editing and writing skills and at least 3 years of magazine or newspaper editorial experience. Management and magazine production experience are desirable. Digital photography skills, while not necessary, are an asset. Some travel is required. We offer a competitive salary, an excellent benefits package, and a pleasant work environment. Send letter, resume, and writing samples to HR.

Location: Newtown Connecticut

Please apply by visiting their career site at http://careers.taunton.com

Craft Crest: Part Deux

Is crafting the Britney Spears of DIY? Not really. Is Debbie Stoller an evil marketing mastermind forcing the craft arts into the public sphere? Certainly not. Is it important to discuss the hipster-related frustrations? Debatable.
Did putting extreme-ish, subversive-esque crafts in a Museum really piss off that many people? Really?

Pricked: Extreme Embroidery at the Museum of Arts and Design in NYC opened November 8th of last year. The New York Times published an article about the exhibit on December 28th, which got picked up as part of a blog entry on Jezebel. Jezebel makes a point we like, namely, why does embroidery have to be feminist:

"Is it because embroidery and knitting were considered housewifely arts and the feminist movement was reclaiming them by making samplers of penises or something? Is this why Bust is always bombarding us with craft projects? Please explain!! "

Which prompted a slew of comments on the post. Some responded to the fury sparked by NYT's assumption that embroidery in a museum is necessarily feminist. But the more troubling discussion revolved around crafting being something fun, something handed down by grandma, something hipsters do while they drink, and somehow the "downward spiral of Bust." Read the comments on your own, but the general tenor is that crafting has taken on an unacceptable hipster tint, that no one is particularly happy about.

And that friends is exactly the type of discussion we like to start. Momma always said money, religion and politics were taboo topics for polite company, but so far she's been silent on hipsters and instigating crafter fights, er, debates. But while we like crafting and we want other people to craft, we find it is hard to define hipster without using the word annoying.

So which is more annoying, the hipster adoption or the assertion that feminism is necessarily inherent to crafting. Would any of this deter a potential crafter? If crafting is resurfacing as a cool thing to do, will the crafty popularity peak have been reached? Is there any middle ground on either of these points?

If you happen to see us in a bar, be prepared to answer one or all of these questions. Happy Friday! Let's get this party started.

Craft Resurgence Crest: Say it Ain't So

Personally we LIKE football glowing the background while we craft, but when the boys aren't looking, we switch to the DIY network.

Rumors are swirling around the blogs that the DIY Network may be canceling some of the programs we all love though. Average Jane Craft has drawn up a letter and encourages readers to write to the network and express their concerns. Go for it if you like, however upon a little further digging, we discovered that the network is not canceling the programs, just reshuffling their schedule to accommodate their core audience's tastes. Which of course makes sense for a business that survives on advertising revenues.

The one thing that we found has actually been canceled is Vicki Howell's Knitty Gritty marathon on Super Bowl Sunday. Last year this time, we didn't have cable, so watching was out of the question. But this year we won't have the chance. Here's the scoop from Vicki's blog:

Oh, before I forget, I just got word that DIY nixed the Knitty Gritty marathon (aka the Knit In), 2008 in favor of a bathroom renovation they're calling, the Toilet Bowl. Soooo, I know I told a lot of people that the KG special would air on Superbowl Sunday but that's apparently no longer the case. I'll keep you posted on any new developments but in the meantime, if you're looking for more Knitty Gritty love and want to tell the network(s) about it, here's where you can send your comments:
DIY Network Viewer Comments
HGTV Viewer Comments

Toilet Bowl?

Canceling a program sucks. There's no way around it. But, moving the crafty programming to 2 in the morning works great for us night owls. Sure, it doesn't do much to introduce crafting to people who might not otherwise give it a try, but that's our job. Make a point to take your knitting (or whatever) with you somewhere. Bar, Superbowl party, whatever; people are curious and it will keep your hands out of the cheese dip.

And if you're looking for something charitable to do with your Super Bowl sit fest, consider checking out other charities to which you could be donating, and do something for them. Knit a hat. Knit an afghan square. Check out the Witch Fire Project, hint hint. Let the football lull you, crack a beer, and get to it.