Oral histories and lacemaking as strategies for resilience in women’s craft groups

Katarzyna Kosmala, Anna Sznajder

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

Abstract

This chapter is based on an ethnographic study of a women’s lacemaking network in Kraków, Poland. As such, the chapter has much in common with Reynold’s chapter discussing women’s craft activities in the English Midlands. Indeed, this chapter confirms the value of craft activities as both creative and social that which contribute to the participants’ resilience. However, it also highlights how the place of creativity is understood in historic craft traditions in a manner that is distinct from understandings of creativity that draw on theatre or fine art. Furthermore, the project reported on here encouraged the women in the lacemaking groups to become amateur ethnographic researchers and advocates for the cultural value of their traditions – processes that had consequences for their identities and resilience.

The book uses a range of approaches, including participatory research methods, to bring the voices of older people themselves to the foreground. It looks at how taking part in creative interventions develops different types of social relationships and fosters resilience.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationResilience and ageing
Subtitle of host publicationcreativity, culture and community
EditorsAnne Goulding, Bruce Davenport, Andrew Newman
Place of PublicationBristol
PublisherPolicy Press
Chapter9
Pages201-224
ISBN (Electronic)978-1447340966
ISBN (Print)978-1447340928, 978-1447340911
Publication statusPublished - 19 Dec 2018

Publication series

NameConnected Communities Series

Keywords

  • creative practice
  • crafts
  • women
  • rural
  • heritage
  • Oral history

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