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. With “Craft My Ride:” Scion, down with DIY
The DIY/craft community has, to date, had a somewhat mixed response to big-company efforts to get down with their scene. But the efforts continue, and it’s interesting to keep an eye on how each new effort is received. The latest, from Scion:
Beginning September 10, 2007, crafters will have until October 22 to submit accessory designs for items such as key chains, seat covers, floor mats, steering wheel covers, tissue holders, etc., to www.CraftMyRide.com. Crafters will need to go to the website to obtain rules and instructions. A pool of craft-friendly retail stores chosen from across the United States will judge submissions, and finalists will be chosen November 2. …
Committed to fostering independent artistic expression, and creating competitions in multiple genres such as fine art, street art, architecture, music and film, Scion is consistently looking to bolster communities with an inherent independent spirit. The arts and crafts community is one such population.
Hmmm…. Well, like I said, we’ll see.
More on this subject soon.
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Kim Fellner's book 
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Reader Comments
I refused to post this contest on our site (after multiple PR requests) because of issues I had with the small print, especially in regards to “the right to exploit the Work.” (Official Rules 8) That seemed very fitting!
As a group who adheres to some pretty strict DIY guidelines, we’ve turned down mulitple offers that didn’t jive with our “share and share alike” attitude. It’s definitely a personal decision, one which becomes harder and harder to make when your working with limited money and bigger goals.
I think a lot of us are scared of the re-framing of of movements as marketing tool having seen things like Riot Grrl spit out as “Girl Power.” While others are interested in the more personal attainment of living off our art. It will be interesting to see where DIY goes with this struggle … will it be the same direction as indie musicians who now justify TV, commerical, Starbucks placement as the means to continue their creative production? (Thurston Moore, I’m looking at you …)
Looking forward to reading your continued posts on this subject.