Why I designed This “Make DO & Do Good” Bandana
Make Do & Do Good Bandana in Lilac, Mushroom, & Sprot.
As a society, we seem to have lost the plot.
In this time of big box stores and same day shipping, corporations are selling us “faster” at the expense of our health, our planet, and our happiness. It’s been with growing unease that I’ve watched over-consumption become the status, and the quality of every day goods degrade exponentially.
I have gotten caught up in it myself, and that is why I decided to create this piece. It’s a handdrawn, slow-made reminder that sometimes instant gratification comes with a huge price. I wove meaning into every inch of this thing. For instance, the little stitch marks were inspired by the mending skills and crafts my grandmothers taught me as a child.
The florals are inspired by Lithuanian & Scandinavian folk-art. Stalks of flowers that grow tall, basking in the sunlight—nurtured by human hands. My Grandma, Nelly, would tell me stories of her parents who immigrated here from Lithuania in the early 1900’s, how they farmed birds and crops in their tiny Old North Dayton backyard.
As I’ve researched this bit of my personal heritage, I’ve marveled at how much the traditional Baltic textiles and dress resemble the styles one might associate with Middle Eastern influence. In the turbulent, angry times we are living in, it is clear to me how cultural lines blur and intermingle. “Borders” and “patriotism” are gross constructs we use to other people.
Source, Albert Kretschmer
And finally, the edging of the design derives from woven rugs, a literal grounding element. I’m in awe of the time and discipline it takes to create a piece of art the size of a whole room!
“Make Do & Do Good,” because sometimes the slow way is the best way. When we make things ourselves, or mend a treasured item, we’re investing in a more intentional life. This bandana is ultimately a celebration of craftivism, doing things by hand, and choosing goodness over convenient.
Shop this design in Sprout Green, Lilac Purple, & Mushroom Brown.
