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. Lynne has in the past received support from Arts Council England, organised a community project with AgeUK in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, and ran an annual interfaith community textile project within a children's dental clinic in Jerusalem.

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