Taking a Step Back

"Take a step back and think."

That's what my professor, Alex Juhasz, suggested I do to finish up the semester. It was during a class dinner for another course I am taking of hers (MCSI: Archive). She suggested I think about my DIY Learning course objectives, and what has changed. What have I done? What have I learned?

To start, I learned I don't need the online communities to be able to create, but they do help. In the end, I found I had to log off Pinterest and YouTube and just do it. I could pin as much as I wanted and watch the same videos or new ones and still I would not be in any better shape to finish the project. There is research and knowledge, and then there is creation.

Online communities are so powerful. Think about #BlackLivesMatter. Imagine the kind of impact a group of individuals was able to create simply by reaching out and starting an Internet movement.

Our lives have changed with the online environment, but the act of creating has not. We use online communities to feel less alone, but when I am knitting a scarf, it does not matter to me if 10 other people have knit this same scarf and taken photos of it and posted them on ravelry. None of that matters during the act of creation.

Before, when I am planning the project, and after, when I am showcasing the project, the online crafters are awesome. They post thoughtful comments and add a +1 to my google post. Which is all well and good, but the gratification has never come from others.

I create so that I feel proud of something I made with my own two hands. Whether other people think it's cool or if I find like-minded individuals-- that is a whole other playing field from the act of creating.

I love the online crafting communities, don't get me wrong. But I have realized that these communities are just that-- communities. They do not hold your individual potential and they cannot cultivate the sense of gratification you reach when you know you have made something all on your own. The act of creating is an individual experience. It can exist in a larger community. You can go out and brag. You can type out the pattern. You can give it away to a catfish you met online. I don't care.

But never forget that crafts are an act of creation. Whatever the book or website that helped you was only a stepping stone. Because YOU were the one who did this. You should be proud, online and offline, in real life and in digital spaces, alone and together.

As always, stay creative.

Much love,
Rebecca "Rivi"

Checking in

So, I was checking the syllabus. Of course I have made my adjustments to it and everything, but I figured I have to update my fans on where I am at as the semester comes eerily close to an end.

Schedule (Meetings and Projects)

Week 1: Create Syllabus, purchase books, first meeting with Professor Juhasz

Link to my syllabus post:

http://diylearningpitzer.blogspot.com/2015/10/syllabus.html

Week 2: Blog Post 1; create personal blog for tracking Independent Study activities

Link to the blog: http://diylearningpitzer.blogspot.com/

Link to the first blog post: http://diylearningpitzer.blogspot.com/2015/09/what-is-this-blog.html

Week 3: Project 1 proposal due, read chapters 1-4 of Video Nation, Blog Post 2

Reading Video Nation: http://diylearningpitzer.blogspot.com/2015/10/what-im-reading-video-nation.html

Project 1 Proposal: http://diylearningpitzer.blogspot.com/2015/10/flip-flopping-syllabus.html

Week 4: Project 1 due on September 27 (extension due to Jewish high holidays); Blog Post 3; Finish reading Video Nation

Project 1: http://parksandrecipes.blogspot.com/

Blog Post: http://diylearningpitzer.blogspot.com/2015/10/parks-and-recipes.html

Week 5: Read chapters 1-3 of Craft, Inc.; Submit proposal for Project 2; Blog Post 4

Project 2: Reflection on the effects of DIY Learning; an online tutorial

Blog Post 4: http://diylearningpitzer.blogspot.com/2015/11/a-reflection-on-online-tutorials.html

Week 6: Project 2 due; Meeting with Professor Juhasz

Project 2 (online tutorial): http://diylearningpitzer.blogspot.com/2015/11/reading-old-fashioned-knitting-pattern.html

Week 7: Read Chapters 4-5 of Craft, inc.; Blog Post 5

Blog Post 5: http://diylearningpitzer.blogspot.com/2015/11/parks-and-recipes.html

Week 8: Read Chapters 6-7 of Craft, inc.; Draft Proposal for Project 3; Blog Post 6

Blog Post 6, Reflection on the topics of "Craft, inc.", fan art, legalities, and the culture of online selling

http://diylearningpitzer.blogspot.com/2015/11/the-legalities-of-fan-art.html

Yes, I am a little behind. Here was the original plan:

Week 9: Project 3 due; Meeting with professor Juhasz

Week 10: Read and review one book from niche craft books list; Blog Post 7

Week 11: Proposal for Project 4 (Austenland); Blog Post 8

Week 12: Project 4 due

Week 13: Proposal for Final Project; Blog Post 9

Week 14: Work on final project; Meeting with Professor Juhasz

Week 15: Final Project due; Blog Post 10

Updated plan:

Project 3 proposal due Wednesday, November 25

Project 3: Thoroughly review one project or book. This can be made in a video blog (un-boxing/review style video) or in written blog form with pictures.

Project 3 due Friday, November 27. Project 3 will include a review of a craft book and a review of a niche craft book

Project 4 (fan culture) has been completed. Blog post on the legalities and effects of fan culture artwork is already done. 

Watch 'Austenland' or a similar movie and write an online blog review due Sunday, November 29.

Blog Post on Friday, November 27.

Blog Post on Friday, December 4.

Blog Post on Friday, December 11.

Proposal for final project will be posted on the blog by Friday, December 4.

Final project progress update on Friday, December 11.

Final project is due Tuesday, December 15, 2015

WISH ME LUCK!!

Future Video

My first video tutorial will be based off this project I made a few days ago:

Stay tuned!

Flip Flopping the Syllabus

I think one of the nice things about designing my own course is that I am in control. I have lots of ideas that will come at any random moment (ask anyone who's ever met me, it's been commented on many times). I am in process of creating a video, but I need to order supplies that won't be here until Wednesday, and I have a new tutorial idea I want to try out.

My lovely younger sister Shayna (who is younger, despite popular opinion), will be turning 16 on November 1. I love gift giving, and I wanted to find something this year that she would really appreciate and use. This past year (well, since January or so), she has become a big fan of the TV series Parks and Rec. (For the record, I introduced her to it. Then she convinced me to go back and watch the series, which I did. It was fantastic.

My DIY Learning Project 4 was geared towards fan culture and fan-produced DIY art and pop culture- inspired crafts. After a quick google search, I couldn't find any Parks and Rec Inspired recipes that had nicely written tutorials. So I DIYed it!!

For my first project, I will be creating an online tutorial blog for Parks and Rec inspired recipes. So my video project will now be project 2. Try and keep up :)

Stay Creative!

Rebecca

Syllabus!

Follow along my journey...

Friday marks the end of Week 2

Rebecca Dollinger

Pitzer Class of 2018

DIY Learning

Independent Study Syllabus

IS Professor: Professor Alex Juhasz

Detailed Description

The DIY artistic independent maker age has reached an all time peak, and it has the Internet to thank for that. From Pinterest to YouTube to Stay-at-home mom blogs, the wealth of tutorials for the everyday crafter has reached an all time high. How has the Internet changed the DIY and “artsy” community? What has been made possible that could not have been possible ten or even five years ago? What are we learning? What are we gaining? What are we losing?

For my independent study, I plan on researching the rise of craft blogs, as well as handmade goods sites such as Etsy, the benefits of craft tutorials from websites such as Pinterest and YouTube, while creating a semester long blog series, including videos, text posts, and photo tutorials. I will explore the most successful craft blogs and YouTube channels, occasionally attempting to emulate their education styles, documenting the pros and cons of different digital teaching techniques. I will also explore the connection between the media corporate and fandom influence in craft projects, especially in regards to knitting and needle crafts.

Required Reading List

Craft, Inc. Revised Edition: The Ultimate Guide to Turning Your Creative Hobby into a Successful Business (Meg Mateo Ilasco) 

YouTube: Online Video and Particapatory Culture (Jean Burgess)

Video Nation: A DIY guide to planning, shooting, and sharing great video from USA Today's Talking Tech host (Jefferson Graham)

Jane Austen Knits OR AUSTENtatious Crochet

Niche Craft Books for Week 10:

Geek Knits: Over 30 Projects for Fantasy Fanatics, Science Fiction Fiends, and Knitting Nerds

Geek Chic Crochet: 35 retro-inspired projects that are off the hook (Nicki Trench)

Knits for Nerds: 30 Projects: Science Fiction, Comic Books, Fantasy (Toni Carr)

Charmed Knits: Projects for Fans of Harry Potter

Knitting Wizardry: 27 Spellbinding Projects

Once Upon a Knit:

Vampire Knits: Projects to Keep You Knitting from Twilight to Dawn

Woodland Knits: over 20 enchanting patterns

Literary Knits

Fairytale Knits

Recommended Readings

The Knowledgeable Knitter (Magaret Radcliffe)

Circular Knitting Workshop: Essential Techniques to Master Knitting in the Round (Magaret Radcliffe)

2015 Crafter's Market: How to Sell Your Crafts and Make a Living (Edited by Kelly Biscopink)

The Handmade Marketplace, 2nd Edition: How to Sell Your Crafts Locally, Globally, and Online (Kari Chapin)

YouTutorial: Knitting: Your Guide to the Best Instructional YouTube Videos (Tessa Evelegh)

Craft Activism: People, Ideas, and Projects from the New Community of Handmade and How You Can Join In (Joan Tapper, Photography by Gale Zucker)

Schedule (Meetings and Projects)

Week 1: Create Syllabus, purchase books, first meeting with Professor Juhasz

Week 2: Blog Post 1; create personal blog for tracking Independent Study activities

Week 3: Project 1 proposal due, read chapters 1-4 of Video Nation, Blog Post 2

Week 4: Project 1 due on September 27 (extension due to Jewish high holidays); Blog Post 3; Finish reading Video Nation

Week 5: Read chapters 1-3 of Craft, Inc.; Submit proposal for Project 2; Blog Post 4

Week 6: Project 2 due; Meeting with Professor Juhasz

Week 7: Read Chapters 4-5 of Craft, inc.; Blog Post 5

Week 8: Read Chapters 6-7 of Craft, inc.; Draft Proposal for Project 3; Blog Post 6

Week 9: Project 3 due; Meeting with professor Juhasz

Week 10: Read and review one book from niche craft books list; Blog Post 7

Week 11: Proposal for Project 4 (Austenland); Blog Post 8

Week 12: Project 4 due

Week 13: Proposal for Final Project; Blog Post 9

Week 14: Work on final project; Meeting with Professor Juhasz

Week 15: Final Project due; Blog Post 10

Breakdown of Blog Post Topics:

1: Initial thoughts going into Independent study, plans for the semester, hopes for the outcomes

2: Plans for Project 1; General reflections

3: Thoughts on the reading of Video Nation, Thoughts on YouTube as a Video platform for teaching and craft tutorials

4: Plans for Project 2; Personal thoughts on the growing appeal of the handmade marketplace

5: Mid-semester reflection on independent study

6: Plans for project 3; list of links to the best websites and tutorials I have found so far this semester

7: Review of one niche craft book; Difference between niche craft books and niche craft projects online

8: Plans for Project 4; learning outcomes so far

9: Plans for my final project and how I chose this project; what I hope to create

10: Final reflections on independent study as a whole

Loose Guidelines for Projects:

Project 1: Create a YouTube video teaching a craft skill

Project 2: Create a digital tutorial for a specific craft project

Project 3: Thoroughly review one project or book. This can be made in a video blog (un-boxing/review style video) or in written blog form with pictures.

Project 4: Watch film “Austenland”, write short personal reflection on fan culture, and create one niche craft project (preferably Jane Austen-themed but not necessarily so) with a tutorial included

Final Project: Create a tutorial or video that displays the knowledge gained during the semester. This project must include a 2-4 page double-spaced reflection on the choices made for the project (i.e. choice of social media platform, choice of skill to teach, choice of project to create, etc.)

Grading:

Project 1: 10%

Project 2: 15%

Project 3: 15%

Project 4: 15%

Final Project: 25%

Blog Posts: 20%

Projects will be graded based on creativity, originality, and mainly, attention to the prompt and how well you followed the guidelines.

Blog Posts will be graded for completion

What is this blog?

Hello my fellow DIY-ers (and also friends of mine who found this blog by chance but don't consider themselves crafty)! This blog is going to track my progress through my Independent Study at Pitzer College that I have lovingly created and nurtured: DIY Learning.

This is a Media Studies Independent Study with Professor Alex Juhasz, focusing on the growing culture of craft tutorials on the internet.

I will include my syllabus in the next post. Stay creative!