Toronto Craft Alert

A still from Becky’s Kickstarter video.  Watch it here!

If you’ve engaged in grassroots craft activity in Toronto (or hell, Bruno, Saskatchewan or Arlington, Virginia), you’ve probably encountered Becky Johnson.  Beyond running the sweetie pie press (her full-time button, zine, crochet neckwarmer, and miscellaneous multiples business) which she tables around town at various shows, Becky has brought you crafty action that includes: The Good Catch Craft Fair series, Trunk Shows at the workroom,  and all manner of activities related to City of Craft – including the big show in December.  In addition to contributing regularly to TCA, she also writes an always-engaging blog where she big-ups fellow local crafters, shares her own process, and perhaps most compellingly, writes about her adventures travelling across North America on multi-month craft fair odysseys.   Which brings me to the purpose of this post.

Becky’s faithful (until just recently) vehicle, Boris, has recently departed to the junkyard in the sky.  One’s car dying would be a major deal to most of us, and for Becky, it means that the 4 month road tour she has booked this summer may not happen, unless enough funds are raised via her Kickstarter campaign.  The resultant bummer of car lack is not limited to the fact that her personal livelihood will be threatened by having to cancel the shows she has booked across Canada and the U.S..  In Becky’s words, “Over these years, my blog has become a great and free resource for others seeking a life in the indie world to connect with independent retailers, to learn about artists and to plan outlandish outings of their own. It has become a repository of makers and doers and serves as proof that the unlikely is still possible.”  A body of knowledge that is both inspiring and useful to many will no longer be available if Becky is unable to ride!  Other contributions to the world that will be thwarted by her lack of wheels include:  interactive skill demonstrations in independent shops and galleries, public art making, and participation in the upcoming Midwest Craft Caucus where Becky is booked to speak on topics of craft sustainability, sit on public panels, run public workshops and participate in open skill and resource sharing with other craft event organizers from throughout middle America.

Becky is a tireless champion of Toronto craft both here and on the road (she has opened the eyes of many to the craft magic happening in our fair city, some who have made the trip our to visit and engage in our craft shows).  I would be so thrilled if some of you are moved to support Becky in her time of need via her Kickstarter campaign (by April 27), an act that will inevitably benefit us all.  Oh, and speaking of benefits…pledging gets you goodies!  Depending on how much you bid, you may receive a postcard from the road, artist button sets, zines & prints, an ad on her website, a full-colour zine of the 2011 tour, a crocheted wall hanging, and the list goes on.

See more details about the campaign and rewards right here.

And contact Becky with any questions.