Australian and New Zealand Art Therapy Association Inc.
Abstract
In this article we discuss our narrative research project, The everyday creativity of women craftmakers. The research explores what craftmaking means to contemporary Australian women, including perceived links with their well-being.We filmed narrative interviews with 15 amateur women
craftmakers. Each interview began with a guided tour of the woman's craftwork. The interviews explored in detail the complex and varied roles and meanings that craft has in these women's lives. We identified six key themes in the interviews: craft as a form of personal creative expression, craft making and well-being, intergenerational and familial connections through craft, the significance
of making objects to give as gifts, social and community connections, the incorporation of craft skills into a sense of self and identity, and the pleasure,joy and love of making as an intrinsic aspect of craftmakin
