Last night I went to see the SF screening of Faythe Levine’s Handmade Nation, in which she documents the rise of the d.i.y. craft movement in cities across the U.S.. It was amazing to see so many people excited about the subject, and in fact the show sold out shortly after the doors opened. I was inspired by much of the movie, but I was especially interested in some of the commentary, throughout the movie and during the discussion afterward, dealing with WHY we make things. A lot of it centered around the political: anti-corporate, anti-consumerist, environmentally friendlier, punk rock. Some makers cited growing up with the traditions, others viewed their crafts – especially needlework – as a feminist reclaiming of “womens’ work”. There was even discussion of the current economy, and whether it would drive people to make their own items or turn more readily to cheaper goods from Walmart and Target. It’s an issue I think about a lot, and I’m really curious about what drives others to create. Any designers or crafters out there want to weigh-in? What makes you want to make things?