Looking Listening #6
Things to click on, not to buy.
I’ve been thinking a lot about craft and it’s capacity to counter capitalism. It feels more stark to me than ever around Christmas. I see it everywhere in the tiniest details. When my cousin gave me a Christmas card yesterday my dad naively asked, “Did you make it?”. I shot him a look across the room, not wanting to offend my cousins kind gesture of giving me a card, and defended her by saying, “No Dad, but have when have you ever made a Christmas card??”. He said, “Well she might have, maybe it’s so well drawn you didn’t realise she made it.”
Holding the plastic coated paper in my hands I turned over the card and read to myself Designed by Tescos, Made in China.
How have we come to the point of buying and giving Christmas cards that have flown half the circumference of the globe, quite likely more than once before landing in our lap? When did we lose touch with materials and our own creativity to such an extent that instead of scratching out a simple heartfelt card with the tools we have at home we choose instead to buy a card that’s racked up more air miles than most of us this year.
I’ll leave you with that thought. And a few of my saves from the past few weeks, things worth clicking on, in my opinion.
Made in Europe
A 21st century blueprint coming into play in 2027.
The EU’s Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation introduces digital product passports. Consumers will gain access to verified information about materials, sourcing, durability, repair, and recycling—making the hidden lives of products visible for the first time at scale. Could this be the change we so need?
Eyes as Big as Plates
Enchanting captures by Karoline Hjorth (NO) and Riitta Ikonen (FI).
“We need to learn to see not just with Western eyes but with Islamic eyes and Inuit eyes, not just with human eyes but with golden-cheeked warbler eyes, coho salmon eyes, and polar bear eyes, and not even just with eyes at all but with the wild, barely articulate being of clouds and seas and rocks and trees and stars.” – Roy Scranton
A darn good skill to learn
Visible mending workshop at one of my favourite museums.
Ok this one is to buy, but it’s a skill for life which will save you money in the long run. And if an in person workshop isn’t for you don’t let that you stop you starting to mend those holes in your life. Have a look at these handy videos by Donna Wilson.
Beth Nawr? (Now What? in Welsh)
A festival I want to go to in 2026.
Blending the playfulness of a festival, the rigour of a conference, the depth of a retreat, and the practical focus of a two-day course, Beth Nawr will unlock our collective capacity to build a future where both people and the planet thrive.
And they’re doing a call out for workshops in return for a ticket. I’m looking for a collaborator, so if you think you might be that person I’d love to hear from you.
Thank you for being here this year, whilst I found my feet and rhythm with this writing. Wishing you all a restful last few days of the year.
See you in 2026!
With care
Ellie