Tomorrow Doesn’t Have to be Black
“Write it. Shoot it. Publish it. Crochet it, sauté it, whatever. MAKE.”
~ Joss Whedon
I’m still geeking over the Joss Whedon quote. You can see why I have Browncoat tendencies. Anybody who has this kind of creative-maker-spirit and makes a space western has a fan in me.
I love it. Making stuff makes me happy. And as the ‘write it’ part of the quote shows…that includes blogging and Tarot readings. Throw in knitting and cooking, and I’m a pretty happy camper.
If you haven’t seen it, and like making ANYTHING I highly recommend Adam Savage’s 2012 Maker Faire Talk. MUST SEE stuff for anyone who has ever been made happy by making something: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_otrgJ8Lmx4
Which leads me to my annual rant about “Black Friday”. It gets more detestable every year. I’ll be outside tomorrow with REI who got a loud round of mental applause when they announced they are closing for Black Friday and encouraging all of their employees and customers to get outside instead. More than a mental standing ovation, it got an out-loud “yeah” from my husband and I. This kind of stuff is why we shop there when the budget allows.
I don’t know if I’ll be outside any longer than it takes to check the mail, but I will be making more than dinner. The Elfcon levels are creeping up, and it isn’t even card signing (my least favorite holiday tradition) or cookie baking (one of my more-favorite) time yet. Making is perfect for the holidays. For one thing it makes me happy. For another, it is in keeping with the whole point of the holidays…whichever one you choose…to be small and thoughtful. Mass consumerism makes me want to cuddle my Linus blanket and pretend the whole American pop culture Black Friday thing doesn’t exist.
And you betcha this post is just as self-serving as it is sincere.
I get it…I know not everyone has the time or interest in making stuff for the holidays…but there is a solution for that. Hurray for the whole “Shop Small Saturday” (and to some extent Cyber Monday) thing. If you can’t / don’t want to make stuff, then why not patronize a local (or online) artist who thrives on this kind of thing? I did. I don’t do art prints…but of the few gifts I’ve actually purchased, I chose to buy from fellow artists.
I’m happy to help in that respect. Because yes, I charge for the stuff I make and sell online at Quirk & Flotsam. Yes, it makes me happy when I make it. Yes, it makes me really really happy when I earn a little money from it – but equally YES I believe that there is positive energy exchanged right along with it. I make meditation beads and write books because it is part of who I am and my spirituality & raison d’etre…I charge for it because I am currently a human being who needs food, clothing, shelter and utilities just like the rest of the species. I like to think you are getting a value added product at Q&F…The good vibes, Reiki energy, and best wishes are free.
That being said…let’s walk our rant. Don’t like the concept or terrible-traffic realities of Black Friday? Paint it another color. Or colors. Go outside. DO something that makes you happy…your happy is a gift to the world and those around you. SPEND…but spend time, not cash. If you shop small and thoughtful in the first place, you don’t need “Black Friday Sales” in the first place.
Now if you’ll ‘scuse me, I have a green bean casserole to MAKE.
Happy Holidays!
Want one of those artist made hand-crafted meditation mala beads?
Want a unique gift for the Tarot Lover on your list? Why not a hand-bound, author-signed copy of #PeaceTarot that includes a customized, made to order, daily meditation TAROT READING for only $8?
New hand-made, good-energy items coming all holiday season
