Islands

 

'No Man is an Island' No man is an island entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main; if a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as any manner of thy friends or of thine own were; any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind. And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.

This poem, written by John Donne a very long time ago, seems to be becoming more and more relevant as the world continues to deal with a viral pandemic.

The poem is a really good reminder that ultimately we depend on the assistance of others for our survival, as an individual, but also as a species.  

As a weaver, I have been helped, and try to help others.  Life is too big, weaving is too big, for one person to go it alone.  We get better, we do better, in co-operative groups.

My local guild has shrunk due to covid.  People just aren't going out - and I don't blame them.  I've barely attended drop ins myself.  

But we also need to look to the future.  How we can continue to grow the crafts, be supportive, help each other. 

Next month the guild will have a booth at the large craft fair, then for the following five weeks will set up 'shop' in the guild room for public days Sat/Sun and by appointment during the week.  After that, there will be a 'pop up' boutique at the shop run by the Community Arts Council.  I'm still waiting on details for that last - it only just happened and I'm focused on the other things right now.

Not all of our members make things to sell, but some of them do and this is one way we can help our members, and the guild because the guild charges a small consignment rate on sales.  We have rent to pay, magazine subscriptions to renew and so on.  

We are looking at setting up a 'buddy' system (each one teach one).  And again, still sorting out details, but hopefully we can get the ball rolling on learning again. 

We will get through this, and life in general, with a little help from our friends.  In the meantime, follow the covid protocols and if you haven't yet, get vaccinated.