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Stitching together a heartwarming film

Director Faythe Levine's film focuses on the world of alternative crafts.

By Andrew Owens

Published Sept. 3, 2010

Arts and crafts are not just something you did with Popsicle sticks and paste back in elementary school. The art of making something -- creating anything with your hands -- gives it a value and charm that can't be produced in a factory.

The do-it-yourself movement has given us "Home Improvement," Martha Stewart and even an entire television network, DIY. Faythe Levine, one of the DIY movement's most influential artists, has captured the essence of the do-it-yourself culture in her documentary, "Handmade Nation: The Rise of D.I.Y. Art, Craft and Design." Levine and her film come Sept. 8 to Ragtag Cinema.

For those on the outside looking in, the power behind the do-it-yourself movement is sometimes a little difficult to grasp.

"I believe there are a number of forces driving the D.I.Y. movement including the feeling of empowerment people get by creating, people wanting to make an income off of the things they make and the sense of community that the movement fosters," Levine said in an e-mail.

"Handmade Nation," which is also available in book form, documents Levine's journeys around America and her encounters with different crafters and their art. Even to those unfamiliar with the world of alt-crafts, the foundation of the movement plays on an aspect of human nature so basic it could be called primal: Doing it yourself is just satisfying. It also happens to be damn good fun.

"I love getting into the zone of making, getting to pick colors and materials and rolling with mistakes to create something special," Levine said.

Arts and crafts are not just about self-satisfaction, and neither is "Handmade Nation."

"The thing about craft is that it is very approachable," Levine said. "Most people know someone else who makes things -- someone in their office, their mom, their grandmother. So 'Handmade Nation' appeals to a very wide audience. It will often leave viewers feeling really excited to go home and make -- or support someone who does so."

Arts and crafts aren't limited to just your kitchen or the local pottery barn. The movement is part of the all-encompassing indie culture that rocks the lives of young Americans all over the country. Whether it's making a movie, playing music or stitching up stuffed felt owls (one of Faythe's signature pieces), it's all about being independent. Levine is sort of a jack-of-all-trades in the indie world: She does all three.

Levine plays the musical saw (literally a handsaw manhandled into producing a pitch) for her band, Wooden Robot. Despite dipping her paintbrush into so many artistic outlets, her newfound love for making movies remains quite strong.

"Having the opportunity to meet all these people I respected and admired during the production process was amazing," Levine said. "It basically gave me a reason to call someone and ask to visit their studio. After the film was released, my community just kept growing and the opportunities kept coming."