Posts by Diandra Oliver
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In the Blog
The day the bubble didn’t break
For some, “freedom of speech” includes the right to get in the faces, literally, of those you disagree with and prevent them from engaging in legal, celebrated, and sometimes publicly funded health services. But today, the BC Court of Appeal did not hold up that definition, instead it dismissed the claims that the “bubble zone” around BC’s abortion clinics is an infringement on “freedom of speech”. The B.C. Court of Appeal ruling on Thursday said that while … READ MORE
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In the Blog
Learning to knit for myself
Riding the bus down to work this morning I was humming away on my anthropologie-inspired caplet when a rider gets on and sits across from me and he says, “Are you knitting me socks?” My response to this question is usually snarky, but all I could muster up today was a murmur and groan, hopefully hiding the boil in my blood system. I am the kind of knitter that knits wherever I go. This means that … READ MORE
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In the Blog
Drupal or DIY
I’ve been building this site for the upcoming Pan-Canadian Young Feminist Gathering, Waves of Resistance/Toujours Rebelles, using “brand new to me” Drupal. In less techie terms, Drupal is an open source content management system (CMS), with the benefit being that non-professionals can learn to use this tool to build dynamic websites that they have full control over and can allow others to access the process with them. It has definitely been a steep learning curve … READ MORE
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In the Blog
You’re an individual, and that makes people nervous.
Today on The Kitchn there was an article about The Perfect Tomato Sandwich and it reminded me of Harriet’s struggle with her mastery of cutting a tomato. I always felt kind of childish watching the Harriet the Spy movie with my little sister. I was in high school and “kid” movies like that weren’t supposed to make me cry! Especially since I read the book when I was a wee one. I think what I liked … READ MORE
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In the Blog
DIY Grrrls Make Great Clothes!
A friend alterted me to this. Turns out ECKO thinks it can throw a bunch of bikini-clad women into a factory in hopes we stop asking questions about where their clothes are made. Because obviously hot girls in bikinis make your jeans! But if you’re not beautiful, stay away! In their faux news release, “Unattractive Girl Sues ECKO”, ECKO make their line and their brand inaccessible and embarrassing for over half of their market(America). “It isn’t fair! It … READ MORE
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In the Blog
“I base most of my fashion taste on what doesn’t itch.” (Gilda Radner)
The clothing industry can often be an unethical place. Unfriendly manufacturing, sizing that doesn’t reflect actual markets or bodies, and emotionally damaging advertising campaigns create a culture of feminist disenchantment with what we wear and where we buy it. Even American Apparel, a cultural icon positively known for its lack of sweatshop labour, has a CEO who has been known to perpetuate a sexual environment within the company, including having sex with his staff and … READ MORE
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In the Blog
A prime example of sexism in crafting
Modofly is an artists’ collaborative run by “jack of all trade artists/designers” Jordan and Kevin. They make these hip-looking notebooks and are currently seeking submissions for new artwork for their next run of notebooks. And this time they’re requesting art within two themes, “Girly” and “Femme”. We are looking for work that women and girls alike will gush over. We have been accused by some of the female folk of being weak on the feminine … READ MORE
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In the Blog
“And remember that, in a world of ordinary mortals, you are a Wonder Woman.”
As far as empowered and hip feminist idols go, Wonder Woman is hands-down the favourite of many third-wavers, comic lovers, epherma junkies, and crafters. While her outfit can be seen as another reason to wear very few clothes on Hallowe’en, as a costume it has a sense of ownership and agency that a Playboy Bunny costume or a Swedish Bar Maid costume can’t afford you. Often crafters take on the Wonder Woman motif in surprising … READ MORE
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In the Blog
DIY or Die: KnittyDirtyGirl
I have this tendency of hording crafters into my pocket and obsessing over what they make, how they sell and contribute to the crafting world, and lauding them for every wonderful behaviour and personality trait they embody. They become my idols and I look up to them and think, “When I grow up I want to be a crafter just like them!” I’m not sure what originally drew me to Rachel-Marie at KnittyDirtyGirl, but there was … READ MORE
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In the Blog
Turn that “shoulder pad” feminism into a hat!
Pop quiz! You might be a shoulder pad feminist if: a) your messenger bag sports a “Vote Clinton” pin b) you “do it all” c) you came of age in the era of shoulder pads and still see sexism everywhere. But, if you’re like me and you don’t like to wear your shoulder pads in your thrifted blazers, cutting them out doesn’t have to mean more garbage: you can now wear those shoulder pads on your head! Jennine over at … READ MORE
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In the Blog
Put down your scissors and shrinky-dinks
Hello lovelies! I have had an oh so secret crush on Shameless for some time and it has been one of my personal goals to contribute to the incredible presence that it is. For a while now I have been convinced that crafting, homework, and an overall sense of DIY has long been a place of feminist identity and resistance. Every week from now on I hope to present you with a crafty idea, a crafter, … READ MORE
