~XMAS CRAFTIN’ & BRANDING . . .

MY SO-CALLED CRAFTY LIFE !! GOES SWEET – on XMAS !!

so, of course in the middle of ‘trending’ the new season as a purely ‘graphic’ one – wouldn’t you know – a little hands-on folksy ‘crafts’ site out of NORTH CAROLINA – pops up on the radar.
well, I guess that’s what you get, when you start googling for vintage Christmas ornaments, and snowy Christmas card scenes.

though I think what really attracted me to this site – was not so much the ‘how-to’, as the cheery and simplistic, and (very authentic) vintage-originated graphics/dynamics . . . of the projects, of the craft imagery, and of . . . the over-all website design.
no, everything does not begin and end . . . . in Brooklyn !!

it’s also an interesting ‘end-run’ on the graphic ‘gentrification’ or generic secularization of Christmas, from baby Jesus in a cradle surrounded by the 3 wise men – to … ‘can-do’ toy trains, gaily wrapped presents, and jolly ole SANTA, himself !!

that secularization/illustration/design evolution, the hijacking (/) of Christmas, is an interesting story – waiting to be told. it doesn’t fit that neatly into simply … a spiritual vs commercial definition, that’s for sure.

back to the site itself, MY SO CALLED CRAFTY LIFE – can also be seen – as an interesting window into … Americana.
and how one other artist/crafter/blogger lives, to tell her tale and – share her world. if you look closely enough, little clues, of all kinds – pop up.
it’s as American – as apple pie. and Christmas. or should we make that . . . XMAS !!

check out: MY SO-CALLED CRAFTY LIFE … by ASHLEE

that seems to be: ASHLEE PARK, out of FUQUAY-VARINA, NORTH CAROLINA, according to the ETSY SHOP/PAGE

from: MY SO CALLED CRAFT LIFE – a hand-made CHRISTMAS BOWL – made with VINTAGE CHRISTMAS CARDS:

ALL IMAGES C/O MY SO CALLED CRAFTY LIFE