Browsing by Author "Laukkanen, Minttu"

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate what kind of meanings charity craft makers associate in their craft making processes. The research problem was formed through reading up on theoretical studies about craft making processes. In earlier studies meanings attached to craft making that have emerged are the planning and making process of crafts, communality of crafts and the joy produced by crafts. According to researchers, motives behind taking part in charity are the will to help and desire to participate in sociological activity. The object of this study is to analyze how these meanings attached to crafts and charity are connected to the making processes of makers of charity crafts and how the objects of charity are selected. Method: I collected my data by using qualitative and quantitative approaches, yet qualitative was my study's main method of approach. My data was collected by a questionnaire, which was published on the internet. The questionnaire had structured statements and one open question, which were used to gather information on the meanings attached to charity crafts. The questionnaire got 488 answers. From the statements I gathered quantitative data concerning the typicality of meanings and from the open answers I gathered qualitative data on the thoughts of individual respondents. The research methods complemented each other and I got diverse information on the subject. The analysis of the statements was descriptive and the analysis of the open answers was theoretical. Results and conclusions: The meanings attached to crafts received many characteristics in the making process of the respondents. The object of charity was chosen according to the respondent's ideologies and views. Some felt that they made a sociological difference by taking part in charity crafts. The feeling of making a difference depended on the charity object and project. Helping was viewed as important, which stood out in the results. Helping via crafts was natural for craft hobbyists and its tangibility was viewed as important. In the designing process respondents emphasized the planning of colors, which gave way to creativity. Most of the products were made according to ready instructions, which suited the ready products. Although most respondents made crafts alone, communality was felt by participating in shared projects. On the internet following projects and joining discussions brought up communal feelings. Making crafts was greatly enjoyed and it was viewed as relaxing and joy bringing. The respondents made lots of crafts frequently.