Equipping

I am impressed with companies that choose to equip folks to do amazing things rather than serve on a platter things to be done. What does this mean? Well, it is easy to design a project and then instruct the client to cut and paste and paint it to look like the sample on the box but, it is a whole thing entirely to create a machine that enables the client to make whatever they want and give their imagination wings and a voice to the voiceless.

I am not easily blown away by the things I see in the crafting industry. I am a total geek when it comes to art and crafting supplies and truly, if you saw my studio, you'd understand the extent of my neurosis. This Winter CHA (Craft and Hobby Association Convention) the bell of the proverbial ball was hands down Provo Craft and their new Yudu silk screening machine. For the first time in a long time I felt, as an instructor, a giddiness about the fact that my students would truly be equipped to do great things. This isn't merely a t-shirt making machine, it can print on all sorts of surfaces and what's more, it enables folks to create for pleasure or for profit. For the first time, a company decided from the beginning to create something that inherently could change the world- by giving the consumer a voice and a platform to change the world. I remember silk-screening t-shirts as a kid for various political campaigns. It was a cheap way to get our message (don't ask me what it was, I was 5 or 6 at the time but, all the adults around me thought it was important....) out to the public in a meaningful way. With the advent of places like Etsy and Ebay, there are now the outlets for the everyday Joe or Jane to profit from their ideas for the first time in history without a middle man snaking their hard earned dinero. I was impressed on so many level with this machine but moreso, with the vision of the company on a whole. Seeing this whole thing come together from a industry insider did not prepare me for the real world debut and the response from the crafting community at CHA. I can't wait to use this in my classrooms and intend fully on having machines (yeah, you read that correctly...multiple machines) available for folks to use to give their own ideas a voice. Provo posted this video and I think it gives you an idea about why I am excited. Enjoy and spread the word.

Comments

[Aimee]

Sarah my dear I am SO HAPPYYYYYY!!! to see you posting again! I have missed you.

I am SO VERY excited about this machine. I cannot wait to get my hands on one- how cool to get a messasge out from your heart in a new way...

Love ya!
Aimee

[Anna-Marie]

Wow wow wow . How inspiring. When you have Christ in your life what kind of hope can you offer with your art? With that machine how much simple encouragement can that man offer to another human being? Brings things to a whole other level doesn't it? It's not just about making things to enjoy, it's about touching people. It's about Christ in you, the hope of glory. God's love in a tangible form people can relate to. Thanks for the food for thought. Now I'm off to post on my own blog about this whole idea... :)