Shedding the Shackles

A celebration of female inventiveness and aesthetic sensibility, Shedding the Shackles explores women's craft enterprises, their artisanal excellence, and the positive impact their individual projects have on breaking the poverty cycle. In the first part of the twentieth century, suffering from a legacy inherited from the Victorian era, craft skills, such as weaving, sewing, embroidery, and quilting were regarded largely as women's domestic pastimes, and remained undervalued and marginalised. It has taken several decades for attitudes to change, for the boundaries between 'fine art' and craft to blur, and for textile crafts to be given the same respect and recognition as other media. Featuring artisans and projects from across the globe Shedding the Shackles celebrates their vision and motivation giving a fascinating glimpse into how these craft initiatives have created a sustainable lifestyle, and impacted upon their communities at a deeper level.

Lynne Stein is a textile artist who originally trained as an exhibition and display designer, and as an art therapist. Lynne's work has been widely exhibited and she has been featured in magazines and journals as well as on BBC radio and TV broadcasts. Frequently running workshops, and giving talks and demonstrations, she has taught extensively in a variety of community, educational and healthcare settings, and within museums and galleries. She is the author of Shedding the Shackles in which she explored women's empowerment through craft.

Introduction Women and Craft Introduction Kihnu and Muhu Textile Traditions Suzanis Boro and Sashiko Linda Rae Coughlin Johanna Schweizer Arpilleras of Chile Alice Kettle Shelanu Hla Day/Lily Handicraft KitePride The Crochet Coral Reef Lauren O'Farrell Claire Wellesley-Smith Talya Tomer-Schlesinger Reform Studio Nada Debs/FBMI Liza Lou Lauren Sagar Celia Pym Judith Scott Initiatives and Enterprises Introduction Bosna Quilt Werkstatt Boucherouite Rugs Kaross Kenyan Sisal Basket Weaving Madhubani Papier Maché Monkeybiz Otomi Tenango Embroidery PET Lamp Project Siyazama Project Sujuni Embroidery Wayuu Mochilas Women's Craft Co-operatives of Southern Mexico Glossary of Terms Further Reading Acknowledgements Author's Biography