Welcome! And thanks for your interest in the The Calming Craftivism Club. This club started as a summer camp but we loved it so much that we're now meeting once a week throughout the school year. New members are always welcome to join. We are currently meeting on Wednesday afternoons to craft, chat, and listen to great tunes. 

In this club we make a weekly craft or DIY that is (often) inspired by feminism or social justice (but sometimes just a craft we've been wanting to try out that we think is cool). We pick our projects as a group, so if there is ever a DIY that you've always wanted to try out, this is a great space to give it a go! Your ideas are always welcome and our club members love to experiment in new ways of getting crafty! 

Some students love the idea of making arts and crafts, but get overwhelmed by feeling it needs to look a certain way. This club is less about making objectively "good" art and more about having a weekly space to be creative without any judgement from anyone, including yourself, on how your project of the week turns out. Sometimes our projects turn out amazing and are worthy of being framed! Sometimes they don't turn out as well as we hoped (and that's okay too!); this club was created to have a fun and casual space to hang out in a low-stakes creative setting that is encouraging, relaxing, and fun. 

This club is designed to be as accessible as possible, so you’ll be encouraged to use materials that are already available to you at home! Like paper, markers, crayons, Sharpies, old magazines, old t-shirts, etc. We’ll focus on being as environmentally sustainable as possible to reduce our waste and repurpose stuff we already have around out houses. Occasionally we may do a craft where you'll need to find a supply for the craft (e.g. a photograph, beads, etc.) but I work hard to find activities where we don't have to spend lots of money on new materials. One of our goals is to get us thinking about recycling, reusing, and upcycling things we already have laying around our house that otherwise may be sent to the landfill. 

Upcoming DIYs:

Feb 8:
Topic/Theme: Eco-Friendly Valentine's Day Cards
Description: In this session, we'll explore the art of making Valentine's Day cards with an eco-friendly twist. Participants will use recycled materials such as old magazines, cardboard, and fabric scraps to create unique and personalized cards. We'll discuss the importance of expressing love and appreciation for others while being mindful of our environmental impact.

Feb 15:
Topic/Theme: Positive Affirmation Art
Description: In this session, we'll focus on the power of positive affirmations through art. Participants will create their own visual representations of affirmations that promote self-love, confidence, and empowerment. This craft encourages members to reflect on and celebrate their unique qualities.

Feb 22:
Topic/Theme: Papercut Art Collages
Description: Let's delve into the world of papercut art collages. Participants will use colored paper, old magazines, and scissors to craft visually stunning collages. The theme will revolve around creating nature-inspired scenes, emphasizing the beauty of paper as an artistic medium. This activity encourages creativity and precision in cutting and arranging paper elements.


Feb 29:
Topic/Theme: Origami Adventure
Description: Embark on an origami adventure this week! Participants will explore the art of paper folding to create intricate origami designs. From animals to geometric shapes, this activity encourages precision and patience. Participants can showcase their finished origami pieces as delightful decorations or share them as unique gifts.

Please note that these topics are designed to be flexible, allowing participants to adapt and personalize their projects based on their interests and comfort levels. Additionally, late joiners will be seamlessly integrated into the club, as each week's theme stands alone and does not depend heavily on previous sessions.

Below are some examples of previous crafts we've done together! We are always open to re-visiting these DIYs or adding in new ones!

- Baking and Cake / Cookie Decorating (We made treats of our own the night before the club. During our meeting we listened to music and decorated our treats. Our members made incredible and beautiful treats like rainbow cakes, marshmallow treats, and oatmeal cookies!)
- Zine Making Workshop 
- Photography Collage / Frame Decorating 
- Art Journaling 
- Collaging (We took a look at how many feminist artists use collaging in their art practices. We talked about how we can participate in art in a way that is very sustainable and eco-friendly. Member's projects highlighted environmentalism.)
- DIY tarot cards 
- Paper garlands 
- Water colour abstracts
- Calming Colouring (Using free print-outs from feminist colouring books)
- Pride Flags (we looked at different flags for members of the LGBTQ+ community. We made our own flags to hang at home in our bedrooms or in our windows. Students made their own flag to represent themselves or celebrate any group in the LGBTQ+ community they wanted to represent)
- Protest signs of social justice movements (we looked at protest signs from the Women’s March, Black Lives Matter, and Water is Life Movements. We examined how humour can be used as a tool to inspire social change. We looked at some really cute protest posters made by kids. This week our members made their own protest signs inspired by the changes they want to see in our world)
- Self-love Self-Portraits (We talked about body positivity, self-love, and mental health. DIYers made a “portrait” of the qualities that they love about themselves using a creative medium of their choice [e.g. sculpting, photography, painting, collaging, etc.])
- T-shirt Upcycling (We learned how to use older materials from our own homes to give them a “new life.” We examined some of the history of clothing and discussed how clothes can make us feel empowered. Members drew designs on their t-shirts inspired by the feminist movement with Sharpies and fabric markers.)
- Sewing (members learned basic stitching techniques and made their own stuffies, pillows, and more!)

Who is this club a good fit for?

This club is designed for learners 10+. There will be some structure to the club (e.g. slides used for visuals). We have fun conversations about how art can be a tool in our activism. It is a great space for students looking for new ways to express their creativity through art forms they may not have tried yet. Don't worry if you have limited craft or art skills. These projects are made to be very flexible so you can tailor each project to the mediums you feel comfortable working with. It’s also a great place to connect with other peers who are interested in feminism and social justice in a space that is welcoming and inclusive to all. We can't wait to welcome you to our "Craftivism" Club!