The Craftivist Collective Handbook

'Cherish this visually stunning book and become a wonderful Craftivist who helps create a more loving society!' Josie Long 'Creativity is core to our collective organising and Sarah has created the most inviting place to start finding your power' Gina Martin 'Strategic, thoughtful and powerful... It's discerning, disarming, an antidote to so much out there, and most importantly, it works!' Helen Pankhurst 'Everyone involved in craft can see how powerful it can be as a force for positive change. Sarah's approach of using craft as a gentle form of protest brilliantly harnesses this power to give a voice to people from all backgrounds and levels of experience' Jay Blades 'Quietly powerful and fantastically eye-catching' Jenny Eclair 'A powerful message to create, create, create' Robin Ince 'Craftivism is good for us as well as the world. Sarah is the alchemist who gently encourages us into a state of ‘flow’ where we are at one with our craft and message' Miriam Akhtar 'The Craftivist Collective's gentle craftivism is a unique and vital approach to campaigning - thoughtful, ruthlessly strategic, and impactful. As a changemaker, I'm constantly inspired and challenged by Sarah's approach - and know this book will help others to see the role it can play in winning change' Tom Baker 'These courageous craftivism projects are quietly powerful for your hands, head and heart. Essential reading for change makers' Katy Bevan 'Corbett’s art of gentle protest adds a new dimension to both craft and activism, where she pushes us to stop, work, and think together. This is a much-needed ingredient in a time when the political soup tastes evermore bitter' Dr Otto von Busch 'I first worked with Sarah ten years ago, and quickly saw how her gentle-protest approach meshed beautifully with the traditional craft skills that have been handed down over generations and still form a bedrock of the UK's economic, social and cultural life' Daniel Carpenter 'The work that Corbett does proves that creativity through craft making can elicit real change. There is a place for her style of gentle activism across all cultures, all geographies' Dr Christine Checkinska 'Sarah Corbett and her Craftivist Collective Handbook point us toward activism that is thoughtful, compassionate, beautiful, and hopeful. She cares deeply about not just the ends of activism but the means as well, encouraging us to engage in social change that amplifies love and understanding--for ourselves and everyone around us. In this age of anger, factionalism, and mistrust, this is such a meaningful and practical guide for healing and unifying our communities' Dorcas Cheng-Tozun 'Craft is powerful. It changes the lives of makers, and those using what’s made. What Sarah does is more powerful still: she makes craft collective, before turning it into a form of activism' Tom Dyckhoff 'Our 180,000 members across the country know first-hand the power of using their skills and voices to drive positive change in our society. WI members have been inspired by Sarah’s creative and thoughtful form of activism to find new and effective ways of achieving that change on the issues that matter to them. I know this book will continue to encourage diverse audiences to find their own power and encourage others to do the same' Melissa Green 'I am a huge supporter of Sarah and her thoughtful, yet defiant, approach in engaging people in the issues that really matter' Anya Hindmarch 'Sarah Corbett is a gentle warrior. In the battle to build a better world, her weapons of choice are compassion, crafts and creativity. She also understands that patience is a powerful ally, that slow activism is the best route to deep and lasting change. Her inspiring handbook lights the way. Grab a copy, now!' Carl Honoré 'Her tenacity is legendary in her pursuit for social justice, done with such integrity and kindness. Her ability to draw issues and people together is utterly inspirational. We are all stronger if we work together' Sarah James 'Sarah's work is a powerful tribute to the power of compassionate activism; it is not just visually beautiful, but also inspiring in its commitment to empathy and peace' Nomisha Kurian 'Craftivism? I'm embarrassed to say I started sceptical, but Sarah made me a total convert within 30 seconds. In the years following we've used Sarah's ideas on international campaigns for public health and with hundreds of volunteers. Light bulbs go on every time! You already have what it takes to be an activist. Sarah's book provides methods, ideas, and a path to make you a great activist' Steve Lambert 'This handbook is beautifully made with so many inspiring projects for its readers. Sarah’s creative and kind form of activism enables us all to gently protest. We may not be marching in the streets but we can still get our voices heard and share our passion for justice in other powerful ways. The Sewyeah Social Club community felt so empowered taking part in the Canary Craftivists project and this book is a must have for every crafters bookcase' Christine Leech 'Sarah is unlike anyone I’ve ever encountered - she influences deep behaviour change with kindness, grace and respect. Reading this book is an opportunity to be inspired and influenced by a very special person indeed' Perri Lewis 'Sarah's gentle craftivism is fun,intimate and informative. Art Division students in Los Angeles learned that no matter how small the gesture, arts and crafts can have a real impact on the world around them. This handbook will help more people be part of the positive change our world needs' Dan McCleary 'Craft, community and activism nurtures us and the ideas in this book help support us at this critical time, with time for reflection, creativity and gentleness. A gentle activism that is effective - and for me a much-needed rest between campaigning and protests' Safia Minney 'Provoking and supporting meaningful change one stitch at a time, the Craftivist Collective Handbook may well be just the thing you’ve been yearning for in these challenging times offering you a chance to slow down and reconnect with what really matters' Charlie Moorby 'Breaking down the practice of craftivism into accessible projects and observations that we can work into our everyday lives, this go-to guide to gentle protest, is Sarah’s best work yet. Keep it by your bedside and dip into each day to help you inspire meaningful change in the world around you' Nikki Morgan 'Sarah's gentle gumption is as infectious as it is thoughtful - in a world where the word 'activism' can feel intimidating and exclusionary, this guide will welcome you in, give you a pep talk - then pop a needle in your hand and a fire in your belly' Leena Norms 'This book is a brilliant introduction into activism in the form of craft. It teaches the reader to use their voice through creativity to reinforce their message for change. Put in the right hands, it could be a powerful instrument indeed' Hannah Read-Baldrey 'In these dark days of repression active protest has never been more important. I hope that this worthy handbook will help to inspire future generations to stand up and get involved' Rob Ryan 'Sarah Corbett's Craftivism is iconic and an exemplary example of design activism – so inspiring that it shows the way – this book points us towards how we can all creatively contribute to make the change and progress the world needs' Pernille Stockmarr 'Sarah creatively ignites impact and change. If you’re unsure how to use the power of your voice as a force for good, this is the book for you' Holly Tucker MBE 'As an academic in Design at Goldsmiths, I use Sarah’s innovative ‘gentle protest’ in teaching design activism, as a great way to participate in compassionate, respectful, and inclusive change' Mike Waller 'Sarah has a gift that is unusual in its approach and in the size of its impact. I have seen first-hand how she is able to share the art of gentle protest to many different kinds of people in a workshop with transformative outcomes. Sarah captured the kind of magic she creates in this handbook – it stays with you and opens up new paths' Professor Gail Whiteman