Category: Crafts and Hobbies
I posted about this some time ago, in a thread called Blind Trades. But it went offtopic, and is locked now in any case. So I would like to summarise my situation, for those who are new here, and to add an update as well. If anyone has had any experience in either the crafts/trades I have mentioned here, or in other ones, particularly if you were taught by an instructor, please let me know. I could really use your feedback!
It's been over four years since I began trying to find a place which could teach me the manual trades that, as a blind person, are my right to learn! Things like making baskets and other items from reed/wicker, brooms, soap, fishing nets, and more skilled ones like chair caning, rug hooking, jewellery making, etc. It has been a long and grueling process. I have been mocked, ridiculed, and scorned, even by my own kind! I have made phone calls, sent out e-mails to schools for the blind (none answered me except one), called basket weavers and chair caners for instruction (they never called back), and furniture stores for an apprenticeship (even unpaid). I have spent countless hours looking up pages on the internet that might offer something, anything, to help me in reaching my goal! If I was just doing this for fun, it wouldn't matter much. But I want to get into crafts as a career. I can't help but wonder why, in the 21st century, with all of our advanced technologies, and all of the opportunities open to the blind, have the oldest and most basic ones been closed to us?
In the beginning of 2012, I was told about a place, called Sage Elder Care. They work with the elderly, of course, but as part of their fundraising efforts, they have a volunteer workshop, where they repair furniture and other items that people bring to them.
http://www.sageeldercare.org/workshop-resale-shop/index.html
They had never taught the blind, but two of the teachers, Bruce and Marsha, agreed to try. I went on Mondays and Wednesdays. But I soon had issues with transportation. Sage is over half an hour away from me by car. When I had someone to take me, it was easy. We left at 8 in the morning or so, and were there, usually ten or 20 minutes before nine, when the program started. I would then be picked up a few minutes before 12, when it ended. But this was not always possible, and most of the time, I had to use Access link, New Jersey's paratransit. They're shared rides, so sometimes, they pick up one, two, or even three other people along the way, and they don't always drop me off first. I remember once, I had a pickup of 8:20. That was perfectly fine. But we picked up two people and dropped off one of them. I got there at 9:45! Remember, the program ends at 12. Another time, they wanted to pick me up from there at 1:45.
Chair caning is quite profitable. A typical chair brings about $80 or more. At the extreme end of the spectrum, and obviously for experienced caners, someone once brought in four chairs, valued at $1,200 each! I truly loved the job, and really enjoyed the atmosphere of the place. I made friends there, and looked forward to each day that I was able to get there. But eventually, the constant problems, coupled with the fact that the workload was really low in the summer, forced me to stop going there.
So I began looking for a craft that I could do at home. I've made soap a few times, but never completely on my own. I purchased all the materials that I will need to get started, but my problem there is how to properly the essential or fragrance oils and deciding how much of the colourant to use, since I have no sight at all. I'm thinking of using a surringe for the oils, but need to either get one that is 16ml or to find a way of modifing a larger one so that it stops at that amount. I have also recently heard of something called loombands, used to make bracelets, rings, and necklaces. Does anyone here know anything about them, and if so, how easy would it be for me, as a totally blind person, to work with them? I would also love to learn basketry, but as with everything else, I have no one to teach me!
I've resorted to downloading books from the early part of the 20th century. The best of these, by far, is The Handicraft Book, which was designed for the public school system. It consists of a four-year course and contains lessons on simple things, like making various items out of knots, such as bags and hammocs, as well as more complicated ones, like mat making, basketry, and chair caning.
https://archive.org/details/handicraftbookc00logugoog
But without some sighted assistance to get me started, it's very difficult to do these things on my own. So my search continued.
In 2012, I discovered a place, called Pathways to Independence. They come to the homes of clients, pick up their crafts, and sell them at various shows. Unfortunately, they don't teach anything. But I was considering making soaps for them. Sadly, on 11 December of that year, my grandmother died of pancreatic cancer. So naturally, for awhile, my mind wasn't on crafts. Then, I tried looking for and considering other work. After some time, though I decided to persue my quest once more. In 2013, I was assigned to a new counselor, who was the best I've ever had. She sent the paperwork over to Pathways so that I could be admitted to their program, and was enthusiastic about helping me. But she chose another life path, and teach the mentally retarded. So I was assigned to a new counselor, named Carolina. We met last week, and she is eager to help me. While waiting for her to arrive, I decided, on a whim, to type blind crafts "New Jersey" into Google. I found a place, called Arts Unbound, that teaches all sorts of things, including fiber arts, jewellery making, wood working, ceramics, painting, sculpting, and more, to people with disabilities. I can either go to their studio, or depending on the class, they can come to my home. Best of all, they're only about 20 minutes from my house.
http://www.artsunbound.com
I told my counselor about it, and she said I should call and find more information for her. So I did so last Friday. But Andrew, the person with whom I needed to speak, wasn't there. He called me back today, and we had a wonderful conversation. He is interested in a possible partnership with both the Commission and with Pathways to Independence. If we can find more artists who are interested in taking classes, it would help to lower the costs. As it is, many are funded by the Easter Seals, Neighbors, and other organisations and agencies. But I think that working with the Commission would be the best, since it would provide a missing vocational link for us. After speaking with Andrew, I e-mailed Carolina, and then called Michael, from Pathways, and left a message with him, updating him on the latest developments. I then messaged Marsha, and told her that I had given Andrew the main number to Sage, and that if he should call, this is why. I asked about the modifications that we used for the chair caning, and she explained them to me in a clear and concise manner. If I can't continue my studies in that field with Arts Unbound, I'll take other classes with them, and see if I can do the caning with a sighted friend or two.
I think you should keep trying and don't give up. You can looking in to knitting and crochetting too. There are shops that will have after hours classes for a lot of these things you have spoken about. They are targeted toard the sited but you might give it a try.
I hope you figure this out.
The best jobs to have are those we love.
Best lucks
Thanks. That really made me smile! I never thought of trying a class in a store. I will see wht's around. I did try crocheting, but all I managed to do was to make a chain and to give myself a headache. Still, I'm willing to try again, because some of the things that I can make if I master that are truly incredible! The closest I've come to knitting was something called a Knifty Knitter, but for that, I didn't have an instructor, so I really had no idea what I was doing. I have the feeling that I could learn it quickly if someone showed me how to use one.
Oh my goodness. Ok. One post on this and I swear I wont' say anymore. but I have to.
Your own kind? the right to know as a blind person? Really?
Tif, the reason these, so-called crafts were phased out for blind people is because they were an insult to what we can do. contrary to you, most of us don't want to sit around and fulfill the stereotype of basket weavers and the like.and the sighted world has finally accepted that we're more skilled, more able, more worthy of employment on equal ground, so now they dont' teach us basket weaving and they dont' force us to sit around in institutions, poking our eyes and rocking back and forth-making less money than the minimum wage suggests we should.
Thats' just it. technology has advanced to the point where we could do a multitude of jobs--teaching, tech support, copywriting, anything--you name it. And here you are, trying to backtrack civilization once again by saying that it's your right to know as a blind person how to make wicker chairs. Go ahead and doodle in crafts all you like, weave all the chairs and baskets you want, just keep blindness out of it because there's no right for any of us to know a specific trade based on our disability. that's in the past. I know you like the past, but there's a reason why progress occurs.
Now. onto some useful information. The NFB has a crafter's division--you might want to check them out for information. You dont' have to join or anything, but I'm sure they'd be a great resource, and you could get more direction from them. Also there's a few blindness trade lists such as
blindattic@blindtreasures.com and freeenterprize@yahoogroups.com
Both are email list serves and both feature some peopel who make and sell jewelry, handsoaps and other fragrances. No wicker weavers, as far as I know though. lol. Good luck.
I almost never define myself by my blindness, much less refer to "my own kind" and such when discussing it. But in this instance, it does matter. I am trying to learn things that were once not only taught to the blind, but so much so that they developed the name of "blind trades". Now, the focus has shifted away from these crafts to things like telemarketing, call centre work, massage therapy, psychology, teaching, and law. But mostly, I see phone work being promoted. That's all fine and good if you like doing these things. But not everyone does, and I think it's a shame, not just for the blind, but for everyone, that it's becoming almost impossible to learn these things, either in something like a home economics class or in vocational training. Some of them, particularly woodworking, are still viable, and not everyone is made for college and some would do well in the trades, including the skilled ones, like carpenter, plumber, electrician, etc.
I was graduated with a BA in sociology, but if I had to do it again, and indeed, if I ever did go back to school, it would be for Hellenic (Greek) Studies. As it is, I'm already teaching myself our language, history, culture, religion, geography, and economics. All, with the exception of language (Dimotiki and Katharevousa are modern) are from ancient times to the present. But other than teaching, I'm not really sure what I would do with such a degree. I believe that my purpose in life is to learn about, to promote, and to preserve Hellenic culture, and I don't mind explaining things to people. But becoming a professor (high school or below wouldn't be an option here) really takes a lot of work and dedication. Plus, I don't deal with loans, and graduate school is expensive. So I am learning these things on my own, through free online courses as well as finding other materials and creating my own syllabi, and am working toward a vocation in crafts.
There is nothing wrong with reaching for your dreams, even if it means breaking all the stereotypes out there. In fact, it's great to see so many people out there in the working world, and the fact that our sighted peers are now taking us seriously is a good thing. On the other hand, is it not reverse discrimination when those of us who do wish to learn these so-called blind trades, not by force, but out of a sincere desire to do so, must now fight just as hard for them as those who once wanted to work in an office?
I joined the Crafters Corner a year or two ago, but must reconnect with them. They mostly do work over the phone, and it seems to me that many of them are experienced crafters, who work in crochet and whatnot. But they're a very nice group. I am subscribed to Blind Treasures, though I do find it odd that they don't take normal online payments via Paypal or debit cards. I'll pay more attention to their posts in the future, and if I see anything from crafters, I might e-mail them offlist. I don't think I can e-mail the group as such and ask questions, as it seems to be just a mailing list of things for sail. I was unaware of Free Enterprise. I'll check them out! Who knows? Maybe, I can get some good tech as well! *smile*
No no. Blind treasures runs two email lists. Your'e referring to the one where they sell stuff from their virtual catolog. No. tha'ts not the one I meant. the oen I'm talking about is the one where the subscribers fo the listserve themselves sell and trade stuff.
Some of that stuff happens to be from makers of hand-crafted jewlery and the like, as I described before.Look up blind attic at blind treasures. it's called just that--blind attic, though its' one word, no caps.
Thank you. I'll investigate. Speaking of which, last night, I found another crafts book. This one describes several things found in the previous one, but also adds a few new ones and expands upon some of the sections on basketry. The two works are unrelated as far as time and publishers, but I think they can complement each other very nicely, especially since this one has illustrations that my sighted friends can use to help me learn.
https://archive.org/details/handicraftsforh01knoxgoog
I just rediscovered the page of someone who is skilled in teaching basketry to the blind. But he's in England! *sigh* Maybe, I can contact him and at least ask for some advice, or perhaps, we can work something out where I can take a course through Skype.
http://www.jonsbushcraft.com/basketry_courses.htm
I have decided, for now, to focus on fiber weaving and soap making, as I only need a tiny bit of help to get started on each. From then on, I should be able to start and complete projects on my own. Right now, I need to determine a common size for the warp thread/yarn, and the weaving yarn so that I can weave a rectangle on a laploom and have something to give to Michael to sell, or at least, to Andrew, so he can see my work. I'll most likely buy from the Woolery or Ebay. I found this, and while it was helpful, it still left me with questions.
http://weavolution.com/group/home-built-equipment/weaving-thread-sizes-19960
When I was a child, I wove on a loom like this.
http://www.biglearning.org/article-cardboard-loom.htm
I remember that the warp yarn was rougher, perhaps cotton, and came in a cone. The weaving yarn was wool and I have seen it in a ball, but usually, it came in a tube. In one project, we had to switch to a thicker type because we no longer had the standard, and it felt completely different. Much later, I worked on an inkle loom and made a belt. But I don't remember the kind of yarn used there.
I'm willing to try different sizes and materials, of course, as I must expand upon my knowledge. But for now, I just need something basic to get me started. By the way, here is the site for The Woolery. They have truly amazing things for everything from spinning, to weaving, to felting, to rug hooking!
http://www.woolery.com
If nothing else, I can always buy one of their potholder looms and loops. It seems a bit childish, but I at least know how to set up everything on my own, and I think I understand how to get the work off once I have finished. Plus, I've heard the potholders come in handy and can also be combined to make rugs and purses as well. So maybe, it can be useful after all!
I forgot to add this link in myy last post. It seemed to be good, until I clicked on the links. Either they didn't have the charts or they were all visual and NVDA completely skipped over them.
http://www.woolery.com/store/pc/Help-with-Yarn-Sizes-c621.htm
In your post, you were inquiring after making rubber band loom bracelets. They really are quite simple to make, but are really quite worthless. If you're looking to make money, this is certainly not the way to go about it. Plus, it's not worth going through all the trouble to make them. Whoever suggested you could make this, clearly doesn't think you're very capable. The rubberband loom kit is a toy for kids mostly. Hope this helps and if it doesn't, I'm sorry. Good luck with finding a place to teach you crafts. I am actually looking for a place to teach me wood carving.
Thanks for the advice. That was just one of several ideas, and it certainly wasn't my focus, just an extra. But I now have yet another setback. I just found out, last week, that my counselor has been changed. This is the second time in the last year that this has happened. So now, i have to wait for at least two or three weeks to make any progress.
Hi Tiffanitsa,
I'm looking into loom knitting and learning crochet.
I think both you and Bernadetta have good points.
Liz
Hi Liz,
Please let us know how it goes. I would like to learn those as well. Also, do you have any sight or are you totally blind? That may or may not make a difference. I've been totally blind since I was two-months-old, and for some reason, I can't seem to learn how to crochet! *smile*
Eleni