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Simple Times: Crafts for Poor People
Title: Simple Times: Crafts for Poor People
Author: Amy Sedaris
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Type: Non Fiction
Released: November 2, 2010
Length: 304 pp
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p>Humorist Amy Sedaris showed us how to host a party in style, including steps on removing vomit stains from one's clothes, in the 2008 book I like You: Hospitality under the Influence. Now she takes on the crafting movement with Simple Times: Crafts for Poor People.
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Sedaris points out, that "being poor is a wonderful motivation for being creative." So, from Christmas ornaments made with marshmallows and nails to a tuna can lid baby chime, Sedaris asks us to take a lesson from those with less and be resourceful in our craft making -- recycle and use objects in your house. Complete with colorful photos of Sedaris and friends in costume (a squaw, sullen teen and, of course, Jesus) and compromising positions, Simple Times promises to be a nice addition to your coffee table, alongside American Colonial Homes and A History of Western Art.
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- Read an excerpt from the bookRead it Now
- HOW-TO: Make Amy's rusty-nail wind chime View Photos
- Simple Times: Crafts for Poor People on Amazon Buy it Now
- Marketplace interviews Amy SedarisListen
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There's nothing personal about shopping online?!!?!? There are a *ton* of places where you can do your own crafting online and turn out an incredibly high-quality, one-of-a-kind personalized gift that you could never reproduce at home. That's the basis of my company Makaboo, where you can design and personalize kids gifts from blankets to PJs. I came up with the idea after working for Snapfish on their photo calendars and photo books - once again, technology is allowing customers to create gorgeous tangible gifts that they could never reproduce in their own home. Then of course there's Zazzle, tinyprints etc. So take that back! Or do a story on how software like Adobe's Flex language is merging DIY with high-end retailers like Jonathan Adler (you can design your own pillows!), Longchamp (design your own handbags!) and of course Makaboo!
There's nothing funny about making 'rusty wind chimes for the bipolar', with a diagram and ghastly 'explanation' comparing bipolar syndrome to a McDLT) http://marketplace.publicradio.org/standard/display/slideshow.php?ftr_id...
As for Amy Sedaris, I will never attend one of her 'performances' or buy her books, but here's some free advice: stick to the 'if you're in the group you can make fun of it' school of comedy, where all the best gay, N-word, fat and Jewish jokes reside.
Making fun of the mentally ill is pretty despicable.
Humorous or not, I think the interview came across as mean-spirited and pointless, and failed in promoting the book or the author because of this. The interview consisted mainly of cheap shots at people who craft, and the humor was a bit thin.
I agree that Amy Sederis' humor regarding people who do craft did come across as a bit mean. I had to tell myself that it's parody and laugh it off. I know that people who do crafts are smart and artistic. Keep doing your thing Clare! And you too Dr. Carla.
I was appalled and offended by Ms. Sedaris' attitude towards crafting. What she describes is what those of us who do "real crafts" refer to as "Farces and Crap". As a spinner, weaver, lacemaker, and all round fiber artist, my "handmade" gifts are seriously coveted by friends and family. And yes, I would rather have something made by someone I know (even and especially if it is not "perfect") because I would know the person thought enough of me to invest a great deal of time and effort. If Ms. Sedaris' book is supposed to be humorous, I obviously missed the point. It must have been a seriously slow news day to put that particular piece on.
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