How the internet has made craft accessible


In recent years craft has experienced a renaissance. A contributing factor towards this has been the web.
The web has engaged the public with many aspects of craft. Craft blogs, websites, and online communities have fostered the growth of the DIY movement. Handmade products can be purchased online, and the variety and range is vast. As Garth Johnson so aptly states, ‘I can consume craft just like books, DVDs and, gasp, television.’

What is so unique about the indie craft movement at present is the accessibility it offers to everyone. It is a way of making a living for crafters, it is a tool of inspiration for designers, but most important of all, it is a way to learn for the amateur.
Craft is not exclusive and it welcomes all abilities. The DIY culture encourages the individual to craft for themselves. It promotes self sufficiency. Many consumers of handmade will often become sellers at a later point. They will still buy hand made, but they will also add to the already diverse range of crafts available.

‘DIY was a dirty word. But the net is changing that reputation as more and more people turn to crafts and produce amateur, home and hand made art and objects.’ Mark Ward, BBC Technology Correspondent.

Suddenly crafters and designers of all abilities are able to either establish a website or start a blog cataloguing their work. As soon as their work is online it is available for public viewing. With such ease and speed can an online craft business be created.

‘ It’s easier for people to be artists nowadays, you do not need to be able to draw. You can use Photoshop or software like that.’ Matthew Stinchcomb, a spokesperson for Etsy.

Etsy is a prime example of the ease in which a crafter can begin selling work. Etsy is an online market place that sells hand made products. Each crafter will receive their own page where photos of their products can be uploaded.
Etsy has grown in success over recent years, and the quality of the product is high. The work is fresh from new designers that otherwise may not be able to find an outlet for their products.



(photos from Belle and Boo, Etsy.com)

‘Its becoming normal for people to buy online and the spread of the online buying culture means it has become very democratic. If you have a computer and a camera and you like to make things, you can make and sell anything you want, I consider it liberating for people.’ Etsy spokesman.

The whole ethos behind Etsy and similar sites such as Dawanda, allows a democratic relationship between consumer and designer.
Consumers can choose their purchase free of pressure from the trends and production of the high street. Online there are no rules, the only judge of the product is the consumer.




(pictures from Etsy.com)


The renaissance that craft is experiencing is due to the way it has modernised its ideas and theories. It has embraced contemporary cultures and has escaped from the confines of gallery space. Combining craft and the web has increased both the popularity and accessibility of the movement. By encouraging crafters to show their work online, the interest of a new generation has been sparked. Younger members of the public have created a ‘cool’ crafting demographic. They have been inspired by the new wave of crafters that have merged disciplines, producing illustration and fashion that has strong influences of craft.

The web is an important tool for crafters, artists, and designers. It is also essential for individuals who want to become involved with craft. Blogs and sites offer three main benefits:

Firstly they provide inspiration, a way to view a wide range of styles and techniques without leaving your home or studio.

Secondly they offer a means of communication. Crafters and designers working from home are easily isolated. Blogs allow them to communicate with other professionals, seeking advice and discussing work.

Lastly the web offers instruction. It offers a selection of crafting sites acting as a class or tutorial in crafting projects. This helps beginners and professionals to build on their skills and access undiscovered areas of the craft scene.

For my own personal work, I find blogs the most useful source of inspiration available on the web. Blogs can be the product of a specific designer, or they can offer a discussion or overview of craft and design at present. Blogs such as Print and Pattern, or Bloesem feature a range of work that is inspiring for both textile and illustration designers. As well as showcasing new talent and designs, they also function as a notice board for events and competitions. Blogs are essential for staying up to date with trends and important issues within your field.

‘ The rise of computing and the internet have had a role to play in the resurgence of knitting. It has opened up global possibilities, eased the transfer of information and most importantly allowed British knitters access to the American enthusiasm for all aspects of yarn craft.’ Freddie Robins, Selvedge.

The 'eased transfer of information' has allowed Britain the access to American Craft. The indie craft movement in America is well established and they are influencing Europe to do the same. With access to American blogs and websites such as Etsy, we are slowly creating our own DIY culture here in the UK.

Developing technology has led to increased communication and networking sites online. Craft has benefitted from the influx of social networking and the online sharing of thoughts and ideas. Never before has it been as easy to set up blogs and pages on sites such as Facebook and Myspace. The popularity of these sites has grown. The public are eager to use the web as a means of communication. This progression is a fundamental reason for the re- emergence of craft as a new and ‘trendy’ pastime.

For artists and designers this means a better network between themselves and their peers. Free lance designers working in isolation have the means to keep up to date with trends and keep in touch with contacts through the use of the web. We are not simply referring to email but to blogs that allow the crafter or designer to document the work they are producing.

‘It is exciting to think that there is a worldwide community of people out there who are passionate about textiles, keen to support one another and can communicate so freely.’ Suzanne Harulow. Embroidery.

Garth Johnson, an artist and craft blogger talks of the craft world being ‘completely about community’. As in any faith or group, the members seek a feeling of belonging and the online craft scene offers this. The web allows crafters to contact each other easily, accessing ideas and projects.

Lynne Roberts of blog ‘Molly Chicken’, says that she has become more disciplined since starting her blog and has ‘produced a lot more work.’ Crafters find that having a blog is similar to having a tutor or a work deadline. It forces them to continue with their work as the readers anticipate it online. Blogs are as much an incentive to remain crafty as they are an inspiration to start crafting in the first place.


The increase of crafters in Britain has occurred because more people have decided to pursue craft as a hobby or as a career. This option has been available because of the wide range of information available online. It is not surprising therefore that craft websites have popped up, encouraging users to share their projects with others. Ravelry and Craftster offer a similar service to Facebook but with the members sharing a common interest in craft.

‘Craftster.org was started in August 2003 as a repository for hip, off-beat, crafty diy (do it yourself) projects.
People who have crafty urges, but who are not excited by cross stitched bunnies and crocheted toilet paper cozies, can show off their current craft projects, ask advice on future projects and get inspiration for new endeavors.
Whenever possible, members are encouraged to post pictures of the steps involved in making a project as well as the final results.’ Craftster website.

With craft sites like these, one has no reason not to try their hand at crafting. Crafters can find patterns online at knitty.com or they can share designs for plush toys on blogs such as stephaniecongdonbarnes.blogspot.com. Gerad Alt from I knit London comments that in his knitting group, ‘everyone is knitting the same pattern from knitty.com that was posted online’.





Photos from stephaniecongdonbarnes.blogspot.com


Whether or not you are a crafter, designer or artist, the web will have aided your work in some way. Be it as a way to advertise your work, to communicate with other crafters, to inspire your designs or to simply help you learn the skills for your trade. The web has definitely become a tool in which to do this.
Without this wealth of information available on the internet, the indie craft movement would not be in the position it is today. Craft would have remained a hobby that went unrecognised and young people would not have been re- introduced to the skills of crafting. Certainly, DIY culture would not have become the punk rock of the craft world.