Rachel Mathews-McKay
Contributing Writer
With job-losses, salary/grant cuts and price hikes becoming a harsher reality for most of us by the day what do we do for fun, for stress relief and how do we afford luxuries like Christmas presents?
The recession, its causes and its effects are teaching the conscientious among us to be more careful and thoughtful with our spending. It has also opened up our minds again to be more creative with our recreational pursuits – gone are the days of simply shelling out money and credit we never really had on over-priced and often over-rated material goods. No more weekend jaunts to New York for a splurge!
Across the island we have seen more and more craft fairs, farmer’s markets, local co-operatives and a massive effort to support and save small and family run businesses. Knitting, crocheting, painting, sculpting, baking and growing are all back in fashion with circles like the “Stitch ‘n’ Bitch” groups sprouting up in all manner of spaces and places; and it’s not just women who are getting out their needles and wool
As an oil painter and handmade greetings cards maker as well as Library Assistant in Trinity College Dublin I find my hobbies most rewarding and therapeutic, good for my health and better for my wealth. I got into making cards when I realised I couldn’t buy a suitable one for my politically minded, atheist, emotionally intelligent friends. So now I make cards with Marx, Malcolm X, Swift, Connolly, Annie Besant and more quotes or images and all my friends love them. I also paint similar subjects.
As the first recession budget loomed and we were gripped with the fear with the help of some library colleagues I created the Trinity Winter Fayre, which is a craft fair show-casing college staff and student talent.
Friday November 23rd will be the 4th year running the Fayre and I’m proud to say it has grown into something quite special and memorable. Every year we make a massive donation to St.Andrews’ Resource Centre, Pearse Street from a percentage of the profits and this year donations will also be made to Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital Crumlin, Unicef, St. Vincent de Paul and others. It’s a great day designed to be a morale boost, showcase handmade, Irish and definitely local creations.
It starts at 10am till 4pm, it’s free entry and it’s in The Atrium (beneath the Dining Hall/Buttery), by Front Square. So when you’re lunching in the dining hall or grabbing a coffee in the buttery why not pop in and share the magic.
Buying Irish, buying local and buying handmade is not just trendy it is also a political statement that says we are proud, we are skilled and we are sustainable.
As one of the greatest champions for the Arts & Craft movement and a figure in the 19th Century British social change movement William Morris one said, “Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful”. Why not make that your mantra this Christmas?
You can check out the details for the fayre by clicking here
