The Craftivist Collective Handbook - by Sarah P Corbett (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Twenty Gentle Protest craft projects to help you make a positive difference in our world.

If we want our world to be more beautiful, kind and fair, can we make our activism more beautiful, kind and fair? 'Gentle Protest' is a unique methodology of strategic, compassionate and visually intriguing activism using handicrafts as a tool. Since its creation in 2009, the award-winning global Craftivist Collective has helped change laws, policies, hearts and minds around the world as well as expand the view of what activism can be.

Dreams inspire positive action, so stitch a Dream Cloud to hang up at home or work and prompt you to think past a problem to the solution. Sew a Gentle Nudge Label to help keep your conscience sharp and your spirit strong. Craft your own Mini Protest Banner to turn heads and influence change, or fly solidarity's flag for those suffering as a result of the world's injustices. Stitch a Handmade Hedgerow to champion one of the solutions to the climate crisis or if you are nervous about protesting in public or if there's a ban on public rallies where you live, let a doll speak your truth by creating a Toy Protest.

This handbook is for everyone, wherever you are in the world: whether you are a skilled crafter or a burnt-out activist, an introvert, highly sensitive person, or struggling with anxiety or overwhelm. These 20 projects and tools use the slow, soothing and thoughtful process of craft to help channel feelings of sadness, anger or powerlessness into proactive, encouraging effective actions to help make hope possible.

Review Quotes

"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, television presenter

"A powerful message to create, create, create." -- Robin Ince, comedian, actor and writer,

"Quietly powerful and fantastically eye-catching." -- Jenny Eclair, comedian, novelist, and actress

"Cherish this visually stunning book and become a wonderful Craftivist who helps create a more loving society!" -- Josie Long, comedian

"Creativity is core to our collective organising and Sarah has created the most inviting place to start finding your power." -- Gina Martin, activist and author of Be the Change

"Strategic, thoughtful and powerful... It's discerning, disarming, an antidote to so much out there, and most importantly, it works!" -- Helen Pankhurst, women's rights activist

"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, Positive Psychology practitioner

"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, actor

"These courageous craftivism projects are quietly powerful for your hands, head and heart. Essential reading for change makers." -- Katy Bevan, author

"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, Professor of Integrated Design

"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, author and academic

About the Author

Sarah P. Corbett is an award-winning activist, author and Ashoka Fellow. She founded the global Craftivist Collective in 2019 after demand from around the world from people wanting to join in her projects and events. An introvert born and raised in a low-income area of Liverpool in the 1980s, she saw the effect inequality could have on communities first hand and took part in local and global campaigns. Working with diverse organisations from Save the Children to The Climate Coalition, Crafts Council and Maker Faires, Victoria and Albert Museum to Secret Cinema, she helped to create the new Girlguiding UK Craftivism Badge and is passionate about bringing loving effective activism into new spaces to reach new audiences. She lives in London.