Category: Craft

  • Reconnecting through land-based crafts and skills in socio-ecological systems

    Reconnecting through land-based crafts and skills in socio-ecological systems

    Where I reflect back over this weeks two events, the first of our safe-to-fail ‘experimental’ initiative Land Skills for Wellness and Sustainability introducing crafts, skills and nature based learning to students, faculty and staff at UWaterloo for wellness and sustainability benefits. With a bit of complexity and flow theory thrown in. Connecting to the Land…

  • The hedger and John Clare

    The hedger and John Clare

    Each hedge is loaded thick wi greenAnd where the hedger late hath beenTender shoots begin to growFrom the mossy stumps belowWhile sheep and cow that teaze the grainwill nip them to the root againThey lay their bill and mittens byeAnd on to other labours hie John Clare, in ‘May’ from ‘The Shepherds Calendar’ (1827) We can’t let…

  • Hedgelaying North American Style with Dr Johann Schoepf (1783)

    Hedgelaying North American Style with Dr Johann Schoepf (1783)

    ” Hedgelayers do it in style!” may sound like an amusing bumper-sticker but it refers to one of the most fascinating features of this rural skill: that local differences exist in hedgerow management, called by the National Hedgelaying Society Regional Styles. There are more than 30 styles recorded in the UK, with more in Europe,…

  • Crafting Sustainability: Counter-culture Movements and Sustainable Development Goals

    Crafting Sustainability: Counter-culture Movements and Sustainable Development Goals

    In my blog posts Spooncarving- a ‘gateway drug’ to pro-environmental behaviour and landscape advocacy? and Craft is good for your Health I have been exploring the connections between practising crafts and skills and the benefits for both individuals and society. Their have been a few social movements that have recognised the power of craft beyond its utility, and I…