I'm very excited about something I just found. There is a great thread going on at Etsy, a serious, …

[artsfarm]

I'm very excited about something I just found. There is a great thread going on at Etsy, a serious, in-depth discussion on what is 'acceptable' in the world of art/craft and how the established, more mainstream side views the 'indie revolution', and vice-versa. It started yesterday as basically a simple question but is evolving into a thought-provoking exchange (my favorite kind!) and I think it definitely worth following.

But there's more. Within the thread someone posted a link to a blog written by metalworker/Etsy seller imogeneAndannie. She attended a SNAG conference (Society of North American Goldsmiths) with intentions of reporting on it for the Storque, Etsy's online magazine.

Her report focused on a presentation by Bruce Metcalf and Andrew Wagner of SNAG titled "DIY, Websites and Energy: The New Alternative Craft". Her post/report, and especially the comments following it, including Bruce Metcalf and Andrew Wagner, are a must-read. Especially entertaining are Metcalf's comments and his weak attempt at backpedalling :-)

It illustrates as a whole, what we're all up against in the 'mainstream' and I think, what makes it all the more necessary to try to find a happy medium between the two. We're not so much working under the scrutiny of the public itself, but the institutions that feed the 'definition' of art/craft to that same public. "Grassroots" at its best :-)

Check it out: HERE:

[mtheorie]

Thanks for the link artsfarm! Its amazing how quickly the information spread and how many sides came in offering more information.

[Kathy Werking]

Thank you for this information. I was on the Etsy forums yesterday, but didn't see this one. Will definitely take a look. Have a great day, everyone!

[artsfarm]

The Etsy thread that I got that blog from is here:
"Indie vs Established?"

I couldn't post a link to it yesterday as the forum was down for a while, but it's still going on, and a good read as well.

[Griselda Tello]

"up against mainstream" it makes me smile :)
Because my idea of art and harmony is to go with the flow of pure creativity... :)
May we all find our own river, stream, sea....drop of the divine that we are....I am thankful to be here even if it is only for the moment.
Bright Blessings everyone...Enjoy what you do

[artsfarm]

Yep, Griselda, it wasn't the best word but was all I could come up with at the moment. Glad you caught that :-)
The thing is, 'mainstream' is a misnomer; it changes regularly as the opinions evolve that make it what it is. Similar to what happens to the words "individual" or "unique". I think it's funny, actually. Bruce Matcalfe is going to be meeting with Etsy Admin. sometime soon. That should prove interesting since he had some pretty harsh words for the whole indie"thing. "Indie" is another word that I'm sure will change over time, if it isn't already.

In the end, it's all 'just words' anyway :-)