Craft Circle: Scaling, Assessing
Cordelia | 00:03 So now you have your group going. It has been functioning. You like it, the experiences of warmth. It is dynamic, and you are thinking about whether you wanna go bigger with the group, or maybe you have, you see that it has been going on well, but maybe something needs to shift. So once your group has been going on for a while, you might be thinking that the group can be a step towards accomplishing other things. If your circle has been perfecting its craft, like, oh, you became really good embroiderers, or you've been doing banners, or you've been doing these beautiful scarves, or you have become really good friends, maybe the craft is secondary. These accomplishments might bring other desires about what the group can do. Groups can last for decades and that is perfectly fine. Nevertheless, one does not need to commit to the ideal longevity to think that the group has been successful.
| 01:14 Especially if individual collective and institutional conditions shift the space you're meeting in can no longer be there for you. You need to pay something or something has changed. This type of thing should prompt us to look at the culture of the group. It's important to analyze that and assess if there's the trust amongst members and develop a diagnosis about how the group truly is. Just be very transparent. A healthy group, one that communicates and enjoys meaning and values reciprocity and mutual respect can choose to scale up or even choose to conclude it due to the changing conditions. Because sometimes closing is a way to preserve their relationships in a different way. Scaling up might involve starting to fundraise or turn the craft making project into a source of income that is perfectly valid. Decided what the income is for, especially if it's done in a collective way.
02:23 Like if we are doing collective pieces is very important. Who will administer the money? Who is going to do the finances or who is going to be the point person? So money is also not a dirty word. We need money to survive and pay our bills and then you have to think also the fundraising something for the immediate future, or is it a long term goal? Do you want the group to be self-sustainable or become like a craft collective, that has some national regional presence or international presence as well? Is the money to pay for the space, rent, supplies or food, or is it a short term goal? Maybe like you just want to raise funds for mutual aid or to attend a conference or a competition or, something be really clear and of the moment, a group excursion. Or you need to raise funds because something difficult has happened in your community. Like some kind of collective condition. Have these objectives, clear? Say them, state them.
03:52 And another situation is if the group is struggling. Sometimes concluding the project might provoke sadness, but it's important to hold these conversations and especially talk about what the conclusion means. And affirming the valuable resources and lessons learned while meeting together like that is something that is yours already. The time that you have spent in the group is a really valuable resource. And a really valuable investment. Also, money is not the only way to earn something from the group or currency. Bartering systems are also an effective way to achieve the goals of the group. And if also the group decides to close the craft making circle, it's fine. No one lives forever and a long term project is not always healthy when it's sustained. Discuss the value and importance of rituals, especially in Black diaspora culture, in Latina communities and Mexican communities and Salvadorian communities and in your own community. How it is important to honor endings and transitions. And that should make you feel glad that you attempted to form a communal bond with fellow craft makers.
Once your group has been going on for a while, you might be thinking the group can be a step towards accomplishing other things. If your circle has been perfecting its craft, or you became good friends, these accomplishments might give way to wondering what else can the group achieve.
Groups can subsist for decades, and that is perfectly fine. Nevertheless, one need not commit to the idea of longevity if individual, collective, and institutional conditions take a toll on group members.
This moment of reflection should prompt us to look at the culture of the group, assess trust amongst members, and develop a diagnosis about how the group is. A healthy group, one that communicates, enjoys meeting, values reciprocity and mutual respect can choose to scale up or even choose to conclude the project to preserve the relationships in a different way.
Scaling up might involve starting to fundraise or turn the craft-making aspect into a source of income. Deciding what the income is for, and being frank about it at this point is paramount. Who will administer the money?
Also, money is not a dirty word; we all need funds to survive and pay our bills. Is the fundraising goal long-term, as in a source of income or a way to pay the meeting space’s rent, supplies, or food? Or is it short term, like a means to attend a conference, a group excursion or a mutual aid campaign to help a member? Have these objectives clear and socialize them.
When the group is noticeably struggling, the idea of concluding the project might provoke sadness. However, it is important to hold conversations about the conclusion and affirming all the valuable resources and lessons taken from meeting as a group.
Money is not the only legitimate form of currency; bartering systems are also an effective way to achieve the goals of the group…. If the group decides to formally close the craftmaking circle, this is okay! Discuss the value and importance of ritual across Black diasporic culture: honoring endings/transitions.
Examples of fundraising:
The Love Aboundz Art Raffle, was a cool fundraising strategy, deployed by Emeka Ekwelum to fund his PhD graduate show.
FUNDENL, a group of activists that came together as an embroidering circle published a book with their stories after three years together. Later, they received a donation of books by writer Lolita Bosch and another by scholar Ileana Diéguez. They sold all of these books to raise awareness and fundraise as well.