Betsy Greer is an asker of questions, a wrangler of words and always near a cup of coffee. Over the past 12 years, she's moved over 30 times, had over 50 housemates, and so many post codes her mother keeps her address on a Post-It. She got her M.A. in Sociology from Goldsmiths College in London in 2004. Her master's dissertation was on knitting, DIY culture and community development. This dissertation subject quickly earned her the title of "that girl who knits" in the department.
She loves small joys, big dreams, soy products, leg warmers, 80s nostalgia, bad television, Lionel Richie and making things. One day she wants to live in a cottage by the seaside filled with love, laughter, books, pets, books, yarn and cake.
In November 2008, her first book, Knitting For Good! was published by Shambhala. The book is a guide to how to use your knitting and creativity to improve your life, the lives of those in your community and the world at large. It's also about life and its surprises.
More information on Betsy and craftivism:
Interviews:
*Audioactivism interview, 2004.
*Third Wave Craftivism via The College Chronicle, 2004.
*Faces of the Goddess zine interview, 2005.
*"Groundbreakers," Pistil Magazine, Issue 6, 2005.
*DIY: The Rise of Lo-Fi Culture by Amy Spencer, 2005.
*Craftypod #18, Interview with Diane Gilleland, January 27, 2006.
(See also Craftypod #26)
*Craftivism: Is Crafting the New Activism?, Columbia Chronicle, Summer 2006.
*Tiny Choices Survey. 10/31/08.
*Buying In, Rob Walker, 2008.
*Craft Cartel podcast, 2009.
Essays:
*The F-Word zine, 2005
*Vogue Knitting, Spring 2006 issue, "Shear Frustration."
*Handmade Nation by Cortney Heimerl & Faythe Levine. Essay, 2008.
*Craftivism: Reclaiming Craft and Creating Community. Catalog introduction, 2008.
*Extra/Ordinary, Maria Elena Buszek, ed. Duke Press, 2009. Essay.
Group shows:
*Fiber Arts Show, Ooh La Latte. Durham, NC. 2003.
*Queen of Hearts, Paperboat Boutique & Gallery. Milwaukee, WI, 2005.
*Knitpro Needlecraft Art Show, (online & Richard F. Brush Art Gallery).
Canton, NY, 2006.
*Little and Lots, Here Gallery. Bristol, England, 2006.
*Craftivism: Reclaiming Craft and Creating Community
Lawton Gallery, Green Bay, WI, 2008.
*Domestic Artifacts: Art & Artifacts for the Home. Scrap Exchange, Durham, 2009.
Panels/Workshops:
*Ms. Films, Winter 2006 workshop presenter. Durham, NC.
*Altered Book Workshop, West Regional Library. Cary, NC, 2007.
*Panelist, "Art Meets Activism", Neither Model Nor Muse Symposium.
Duke University, 2007.
*Panelist, "Real Life Networking," "Political Crafts," CraftCon.
San Francisco, CA, 2008.
*Panelist, "Craft Perspectives." Museum of Contemporary Craft, Portland, OR, 2009.
Patterns:
*The Crafter Culture Handbook, Amy Spencer, 2006.
*Making Stuff, edited by Ziggy Hanaor, 2007.(plus quotes)
*Bead Simple, Susan Beal, 2007.
Photographs:
*Flickr photos
*What You Make It, Issue #2, 2006. (plus essay)
*The Guardian's Rebel Knitting Supplement, July 26, 2008. Photograph. (plus knitting)
Quotes & Misc:
*Hip Home Ec by Jean Railla, 2004.
*USATODAY.com: The Cool and The Crafty, 2005.
*"The Handmade Life," LA Times Magazine, 6 November 2005.
*Viva las craftivistas!, Guardian, May 29, 2006.
*Super Crafty by PDX Supercrafty. More here too!
*"Knot in Our Name," Wendy Somerson, Bitch magazine, Issue 34, 2007.
*Encyclopedia of Activism and Social Justice, Sage Publications, 2007.
*Contributor to CROQ zine.Want to know more about CROQ? Check out this!
*Book & Film Spotlight Independent Crafters Across U.S., Seattle PI.com, Jan. 8, 2009.
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