Whatevers

I am beside myself with my newest Esty purchase. These incredible custom fit jeans made by the incomparable TrapperJane. I am one of those women with a body that just defies ready-to-wear, so when I found these jeans on Etsy almost a year ago I lost my mind. I’ve saved my pennies and finally bought them. The photos only tell a fraction of this story. The details and craftsmanship are beyond any clothing item I have ever owned, and those who know me, know I have some doozies.

About a year ago (right around the time I first spied these jeans) I made a commitment to consume dramatically less than I had grown accustomed to. This was both a financial decision, and a political one. One of the “rules” I made for my self was not to purchase any new clothing made in a factory. It has been really hard!! I still do get some underwear, socks, shoes, & coats new on a very limited basis, and even that is becoming less and less as I get better at knitting socks and closer to that illusive perfect t-shirt underwear pattern.

I love this life where the things I do purchase with my precious (few) pennies are worth so much more to me.

I’m off to Craft Con 2008!! You can expect a full report after I return (and recover). I’m looking forward to lots of feisty discussion and giant burritos.

My Dear friend ScottiRobotti on his Brooklyn rooftop. Can you believe he wants to move?

If you could have it be however you wanted, how would that be? It is perhaps the hardest question I’ve ever asked myself, and this is not the first time. When I was young and impressionable my Grandfather sat me down very seriously and said “As an old man, this is the best piece of advice I can give you: avoid work at all costs.” He cackled at his own absurdity, but I, being impressionable, took his advice to heart. I mean come on, working is not usually fun. I recently decided that jobs (i.e. working for a company rather than yourself) are tools of the man. Looking through those job listings on the NY Times it dawned on me how much the whole concept of “job” is designed to make you feel like you need to work for someone else to make a living. Not true!!

Ok so we have that established: no jobs. What do we want? I’m using the royal we here because I have recently realized that I am trying to do at least five careers at one time these days. I’m designing and sewing my own usable objects and selling them. I co-founded and am the NY minister of the Church of Craft. I’m a landlord. I teach crochet. I perform wedding ceremonies. I design crochet stuff. Okay, that’s six. And I also have a great full incredible life that mostly I just want to live as much as I can! So this is the pickle. How do I make enough: a living that is comfortable; and still do all the things I want to do, am compelled to do, love to do, without having a job? It is an old saw amongst my folk, and it feels indulgent and even immature to think I can have it how I want it. But why not?