Afrocentric crafting or no?

[cheryl]

The results of our poll in our former Yahoo group:

QUESTION: Do you often create afrocentric or
Black-oriented/Black-representative items?

RESULTS
- yes, 15 votes, 83.33%
- no, 3 votes, 16.67%

Those who often incorporate afrocentricism in your crafting, why do you? And those of you who do not, why not? I'll post my reasons for my choice later, after I finish completing the integration of our website, but in the meantime I'd be very interested in hearing from you about this.

[~RE Ausetkmt]

Great Question Cheryl

I'm an Afrocentric Individualist - therefore I make what I am feeling.
ME Baby ME !!!

yeah I know selfish meeeee,, LOL

look at these pearls and tell me this is selfishness.

[cheryl]

I craft what I'm feeling too ... I think because I was starved for Black images throughout my childhood and then during adulthood, I automatically paint Black and craft African (symbols, shells, etc.). My motivation used to be political, but not really anymore. It's all flowing from deep within, undirected or primarily so.

[Queen Ifama]

I love them but I can hardly see the detail.

[La-Mar D Lynch]

I try to make what comes to mind. If the card call calls for it then it is done. I draw a lot and have images that are not for sale as of yet, but I have been working on how to mix my handcrafted materials with the art (hand drawn) to make better cards then my comp.

But as a black man I do make my cards with my people in mind but I just create and let the energy flow. I do have a card now that celebrates the love of a black woman and man...check it out (link):
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=8845437

[cheryl]

The message on that card is very touching. What a wonderful expression. Talk about hitting the nail on the head.

[Queen Ifama]

Yes I do. I am of African descent and Cowrie shells are most used by African people even though they can be found as far away as China. Most of my jewlery incorporate cowrie shells but not all of it. I am experimenting with other forms of jewelry as well. I use cowrie shells because they speak to me. I am drawn to them. I wear them on my person every day. On my website I give a little history about the shell, but I have more to add about them when I get time. I appreciate this forum because it has so much Africaness in it.

[cheryl]

I love cowrie shells and that they're also the ultimate femininity symbol. Your jewellery is great. I like looking at and feeling the pieces I bought. The earrings are particularly gorgeous. One of these days, I'll post pics. :D

[Michelle Davis Petelinz]

Yes, I do, and no, I don't. How's that for an answer?!
I am inspired by the patterns, textures, colors and motifs of Africa, and that's reflected in my work. My ancestress series shadow boxes and wall hangings are solely comprised of faces of women of color.

But, I also have a line which is not as obviously Afrocentric; my mirrors and clocks are my own original designs. I'm still influenced by all of the above as I do these designs, but you wouldn't look at them and say they were Afrocentric, hence the yes and no answer to the question.

[Beadalicious]

I tend to make what what I like. Some of my jewelry could be considered Afrocentric, but not all. I use natural stones and shells and pearls, and I put it together according to how I feel at that time. I generally don't have "Afrocentric" in mind and, I never thought about it before, but maybe it's because I want it to appeal to a cross-section of people. I remember a couple years ago everything was "ethnic", with lots of big, wooden beads and long necklaces wrapped around the neck, and big colourful earrings. To me, that was trendy, and I don't follow trends much. So I stayed with what I was doing. Make no mistake, I am into the progressive and positive movement of Black people, but do I make that statement with my jewelry? Not so much.