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The power of an embroidered duster, with Domestic Dusters founder Vanessa Marr
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In 2023, we invited unpaid carers from across Wales to embroider their experiences of caring onto a
yellow duster. These dusters were presented to MPs at the Welsh Parliament, calling for improved
rights. Caring Craftivists is our shared story.
In this episode of Caring Craftivists, we dive into the fascinating intersection of care and creativity
with Vanessa Marr, Principal Lecturer at the University of Brighton and founder of the Domestic
Dusters Project, alongside Katy Styles, an unpaid carer and founder of the We Care Campaign.
Join us as we explore the origins of the Caring Craftivist project, where the humble yellow duster
becomes a powerful medium for storytelling and empowerment.
Vanessa shares her journey from academic research into domesticity and fairy tales to the
transformative power of craftivism, revealing how stitching can amplify the voices of unpaid carers.
We discuss the significance of the red thread, the symbolism of the duster, and how this project has
fostered community connections while addressing the challenges faced by carers. The conversation
also touches on the political implications of their work, including their recent experiences advocating
for carers at the Senedd in Wales.
To view the dusters go here: https://wecarecampaign.org.uk/craftivism/ and
https://domesticdusters.wordpress.com/partnerships/
To discover the Domestic Dusters Project, check out: https://domesticdusters.wordpress.com/
To find out more about Vanessa’s academic research, visit:
https://research.brighton.ac.uk/en/persons/vanessa-marr
For inquiries, please email us at: [email protected] or [email protected]
For more information on the We Care Campaign, visit us at: https://wecarecampaign.org.uk
Episode references:
‘Women’s Work; The First 20,000 Years’ Elizabeth Wayland Barber
https://www.waterstones.com/book/womens-work/elizabeth-wayland-barber/9781324076025
‘The Subversive Stitch’ Rozsika Parker https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-subversive-
stitch/rozsika-parker/9781350132290
‘Textiles: The Whole Story: Uses. Meanings. Significance’ Beverly Gordon
https://www.waterstones.com/book/textiles-the-whole-story/beverly-gordon/9780500291139
‘Handmaid's Tale’ by Margaret Atwood https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-handmaids-
tale/margaret-atwood/9780099740919
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