Crafting On
Listed under: Interviews
Published: Monday, August 04, 2008
Margaret Britton of Margo Craft is on a mission to keep the most committed crafters enjoying their hobby. Can you help?
During the course of my occupation as a craft facilitator I visit residential homes, day centres and Somerset Association for the Blind, where I meet crafters who are faced with giving up their hobby as a result of their disability. As well as residents of homes where craft activities are not offered there are literally thousands of people living in their own homes who are frustrated, depressed and sometimes quite unwell, because they no longer are able to continue to be creative and useful. I am frequently dismayed to discover that relatives, friends and carers often discourage the continuation of craft work, believing it to be in the disabled persons' best interest.
In the majority of cases all that is required is a little encouragement and help to adapt the craft to suit their disability or, if that is not possible, to introduce a new craft activity which is more easily accomplished. I was very fortunate in 1994 to discover the craft of 'weaving-on-sticks, which enabled the residents with whom I was working to create all sorts of items out of the material they had woven on weaving sticks or a stick loom. It was easily managed by most of the residents who were suffering from a wide range of disabilities, such as stroke, Parkinson's Disease, arthritis, Altzheimer's Disease, partial sight and blindness, etc. In most cases having gained confidence through weaving, they were eager to try other crafts.
Sometimes all that is needed is a lift to the craft shop. However helpful or well meaning a home-help or non-crafting relative might be, the former will usually not have enough time to shop for craft supplies, and the latter will not be as good a companion on a trip to a craft shop as a fellow crafter would be. I know of a lady who is partially sighted and in a wheelchair who finds going to the shops with non-crafters very frustrating as they do not give her a chance to focus on the things in which she is interested, before pushing her on to something else. A crafter would never do that, but would linger and discuss crafting possibilities with her!
Wouldn't it be nice to have a buddy scheme which allowed crafters to share their hobby and help others keep on crafting? I'd like to see an initiative or association that linked crafters with people that need a bit of help and I know everyone would benefit.
Do you agree that craft should be supported in the elderly or disabled? Send your comments to or post them below.
In the majority of cases all that is required is a little encouragement and help to adapt the craft to suit their disability or, if that is not possible, to introduce a new craft activity which is more easily accomplished. I was very fortunate in 1994 to discover the craft of 'weaving-on-sticks, which enabled the residents with whom I was working to create all sorts of items out of the material they had woven on weaving sticks or a stick loom. It was easily managed by most of the residents who were suffering from a wide range of disabilities, such as stroke, Parkinson's Disease, arthritis, Altzheimer's Disease, partial sight and blindness, etc. In most cases having gained confidence through weaving, they were eager to try other crafts.
Sometimes all that is needed is a lift to the craft shop. However helpful or well meaning a home-help or non-crafting relative might be, the former will usually not have enough time to shop for craft supplies, and the latter will not be as good a companion on a trip to a craft shop as a fellow crafter would be. I know of a lady who is partially sighted and in a wheelchair who finds going to the shops with non-crafters very frustrating as they do not give her a chance to focus on the things in which she is interested, before pushing her on to something else. A crafter would never do that, but would linger and discuss crafting possibilities with her!
Wouldn't it be nice to have a buddy scheme which allowed crafters to share their hobby and help others keep on crafting? I'd like to see an initiative or association that linked crafters with people that need a bit of help and I know everyone would benefit.
Do you agree that craft should be supported in the elderly or disabled? Send your comments to or post them below.
There are currently 2 comments - Have Your Say Today
Great points! Customers used to tell me that keeping going with crafts was very cathartic for them - many used to be sorry they could no longer see well enough, but took up something else instead.
When I had my shop we used to supply a couple of charities who contacted us - they gave us a budget and it was great putting all the bits and pieces together to make it as jam packed as possible, knowing it was truly appreciated at the other end. The pack was divided into cheap things that would be used up each time, and items that would ‘last’, such as templates and ‘tools’, so that they they built up their craft capabilities over time and for future use.
Of course, the internet is brilliant for mail order - many of my visitors tell me they are ‘housebound’ and find the online thing very, very useful. That said, not everyone, especially those in care homes, will have access to the internet.
So yes, the buddy scheme would be a useful idea - perhaps arranged locally via shops. I even once toyed with the idea of ‘craft parties’ where you would go to people’s homes with your goodies - take the shop to the customer!
Excellent idea maybe we could get some national interest in a buddy scheme. How about contacting say Simply Knitting or even this companies mag Lets Knit to organise a campaign? I am happy to do my bit to help and if you want to discuss further can be contacted by e mail