Sometimes a book comes along that really throws you. This is such a book. I didn’t even know that the author’s website existed! All of a sudden, I’m cast into a collection of pretty awful works of ‘art’ complete with snarky commentary, all with a starting point of www.etsy.com. Who knew?
But, I gotta admit it. I think I’m hooked!
Let’s face it. Art is clearly in the eye of the beholder – and the creator. Often, the twain shall never meet. You know what I mean. Who decided that roadkill should be memorialized in oil on canvas? Who decided that a crocheted, beaded, buttoned, and embroidered thong was worth mentioning? Who would crochet an (ugly) unearthly creature giving birth? Well….the point is – someone did. And the author, April Winchell, decided to tell us about these artful endeavors.
Winchell is, to be kind here, irreverent. Sometimes, she’s just downright crude in her wording. But, somehow – if you can overlook the vulgar and crass – which Winchell does not – this book contains a pretty interesting take on the kitch that is offered for sale on etsy. Hence the name, Regretsy. Get it?
There’s not a whole lot of crochet in this book. But, there is a whole lot of ‘what were they thinking?’ I’m not a fan of kitchy portrayals of human body parts, the aforementioned roadkill, or dressed up real animals. But, someone, somewhere IS. Enough to create ‘art’ of it and offer it for sale. One wonders, again, who buys this stuff. Not me, I can assure you.
In addition to pictures of the ‘art’ there are commentaries by the ‘artists’, many of whom consider it an honor (and a financial windfall) to be mentioned in the book and on the website. Apparently, Winchell is the Oprah of kitch. If Winchell mentions your work on her site or in her book, you get a boost in sales on etsy. Only in America…
HER WEBSITE IS www.regretsy.com.
I leave further evaluations to my readers. Check it out for yourself. Let us know what you think…..if you think…..
BOOK STATS:
Villard Books (Random House), 2010
157 pages, lots of color photos, no patterns or schematics, but each item is credited to its creator
ISBN:9780345523181
$14.00 USD
Hum … I may have to order this book. But, I gotta admit, I’m a bit scared! What will I find within these pages? Yikes!
You mentioned that this author has a site, think you could share it 🙂
http://www.regretsy.com!
Get a taste of the wonderfully awful content.