All for the love of crafting

In a time when technology means hours spent working and playing in front of a computer screen, the desire to find a hands-on type of activity is a priority for many.

Arts and crafts enthusiasts have always been around, but it’s an activity that’s been gaining in popularity in recent years as people strive to return to the basics. From painting or sewing to knitting and scrapbooking, crafting is a much-loved pastime.

“I was taught old school art, which was very hands-on,” said Cathe Holden, graphic designer and crafter. “My career over time evolved into using tools such as the computer, which is very hands-off. I really wanted to make things with my hands again.”

Holden said that she’s always been an “arts and crafts” person and was happy to be able to make a career of commercial art, but she missed the back-to-basics feel of crafts.

“Graphic design is my job,” she said. “Crafting is applying creativity by using my hands.”

Holden’s particular craft work isn’t limited to a specific medium, which is common with crafters.

“For me, it’s almost a different craft a day,” she said. “I have trouble sticking to one type of craft. I do one and I’m done and then it’s on to the next. What I love about it is that I’m always doing something new and trying something different.”

Likewise, Cheryl Aronson, founder of the Petaluma Craft Mafia, has found joy in crafting.

“I’m a graphic designer and illustrator, so much of my time is spent on the computer,” said Aronson. “I was really missing that hands-on flavor. I think there’s a crafting revolution going on that’s spun off from the digital world we’re in. People in general want to revisit the whole crafty side of things again.”

Though Aronson admits she’ll try any craft project, her activity of choice is letterpress stationery and screenprinting, which are both very hands-on.

“Lately, though, I’ve been getting into making wearable funky corsages made from vintage bits and pieces,” said Aronson. “For me, I find it’s that hands-on unplugged aspect of crafting I enjoy.”

Even though Holden and Aronson both have jobs that involve a certain level of creativity, they both have found that crafting allows them the freedom to run wild with ideas, which is something they can’t do with their day jobs.

“Crafting unlocks another side of creativity that isn’t tied to the computer or dependent on it,” said Aronson. “I’m pretty much free to do what I want and create for myself.”

“It’s definitely stress relief,” said Holden. “It’s very stimulating. I’ve always wanted to push the envelope with making things. I don’t want to just make something. I want to make something different. It’s also fun to share.”

Even though crafting is a way to get away from technology, the Internet has also proven to be a useful tool in connecting other crafters, sharing techniques and selling handmade items.

Holden has a crafting blog in which she shares the projects she’s working on, even taking photographs of the processes.

“There are a lot of crafters in the online community as well as locally that appreciate the creativity and innovation of each other,” said Holden. “We share techniques and materials. I work at home and am alone a lot, so it’s great connecting with other creators. It’s a nice feeling to know there are other people who get me.”

While many crafters sell their work, Holden crafts for her own enjoyment. She is, however, involved with the Petaluma Vintage Holiday Boutique, a craft show started by a friend of hers. Holden lends her graphic design skills for the boutique and started a blog to help promote it.

“It’s a fun show,” said Holden. “There are lot of women who do these shows as their livelihood, so I’m happy to support them.”

The desire to connect with like-minded creative folks is also what got Aronson interested in forming the Petaluma Craft Mafia in 2005. The original craft mafia was founded in Austin, Texas, but has since grown into a group with branches all over the United States and the United Kingdom.

“I felt the Austin Craft Mafia was a really great group of girls who were supportive and fun,” said Aronson. “They were a group of nine friends who founded the group to inspire other craft entrepreneurs and give them a place to pool their resources for advice, brainstorming, marketing and even the legal aspects of selling crafts.”

Aronson was so impressed by the Craft Mafia that she decided to start the Petaluma branch, which not only holds regular meetings but craft shows as well.

“We did a couple shows last year, but then I took this year off,” said Aronson. “People started asking us when we were going to have another one and we started realizing that we started something and that maybe we need to keep this going. This year we’re doing a fashion show and craft show to be held on Dec. 19 at the Petaluma Veterans Memorial Building.”

The bottom line for crafters is that it’s all about expression and being free to make an idea become reality.

“You get frustrated when you’re not creating,” said Aronson. “There was a time when I wasn’t working on my own crafts, and I was grouchy and mad at myself. Crafting is stress release and not doing it is stressful. It’s creative expression you have to do.”

(Contact Yovanna Bieberich at yovanna.bieberich@argus courier.com)