Vegan Craftivism Meet Up for World Vegan Month

 

After 8 years as a vegan, it’s always helpful to sit down and contemplate the true reason why I have chosen to live a lifestyle of least harm to living beings - humans and nonhuman animals alike. This was one of the things we discussed during the last vegan craftivism meet up for World Vegan Month in Lausanne.

We, vegans, already know that veganism is the best for the environment, is against human starvation, against worker exploitation, the healthiest of diets, and first and foremost, the kindest lifestyle to the most abused, exploited, and slaughtered beings in our society. Even with all that, we sometimes need to take a minute to trike remind ourselves “why vegan?” in our very non-vegan world. This is where these banners come in.

On Saturday, a small group of us met in a popular cafe to discuss and declare why vegan for nonhuman animals. It’s not as easy as you might think to capture our personal reason for our lifestyle in just a few words. These banners are a labor of love - a proclamation for those without a voice.

The latest banner was embroidered in polish and says “to live a life without causing pain.” This is just an example of what the The Vegan Craftivist Project hopes to accomplish - a reflection of each individual's reason for being vegan for nonhuman animals and to show nonvegan people why vegans do what they do - out of love, compassion, and kindness for ALL animals.

What’s your reason for being vegan for the animals? Send me an email or simply click here for how to get involved and send in your own banner to the project xox

If you’d like a vegan craftivist kit (free!) and/or to hold your own meet up, let me know! 
 

Thanks to Malgorzata (creator of this banner) & Luisa (thasnks for your lovely photos - we look forward to seeing your finished banner!).

It was an enlightening chat and meet up!

 

Skool of Vegan Craftivism!

I'm SO happy to share this with you. I embroidered this banner (top right) and teamed up with Skool of Vegan to help raise funds for Kindred Spirits Sanctuary .

 

Last year, my mom helped rescue a turkey named Libby (short for Animal Liberation), and it takes $350 to feed her for a year. Of course, there are so many other amazing animals living at the sanctuary too. SO this year, I'm asking to please donate just ONE dollar to help. That one dollar will enter you for the chance to get your name embroidered on the banner as a sponsor, which will go up on my larger flag, which will be the end product of this project. 

 

You can donate your dollar to the sanctuary by following this link (bottom left of the page for a one-time donation). Don't forget to write 'Skool of Vegan' and your name in the comments as you donate, to be entered into the draw.

http://www.kindredspiritssanctuary.org/donate.html

 

Please, please, please share! Thank you xox

Submission #10

"Every day I make choices that align my actions with my morality. I'm vegan because compassion for nonhuman animals is part of my morality." 

-Julia, Puerto Rico/USA

Submission #9

 

"Je suis vegan pour les animaux parce que je les 

considére comme fréres et soeurs, et je les aimes beaucoup.

Je joindré cet projet parce que j'aimerais que ce 

message voyage et sois écouté dans le monde!"

-Alessandra, Switzerland 

Submission #8

"A single person cannot make all suffering disapear, but can make conscious decision to do as much as possible and refuse to support abuse of animals. All your actions resonate -  if you cannot do 100% , do 20% or 3 %. Respect life, in all shapes and forms - you're part of this huge ecosystem, but not the most importand part. Be thoughfull, be carying, be kind." 

-Malgorzata, Poland 

Vegan Craftivist Meet-Up #2

Yesterday, we got together once again to craft on behalf if nonhuman animals. It was a small but lovely international group. 

This time I chose a public venue, which worked out quite well. Many people wondered what we were doing, so next time I'll have to have more obvious signs. I think people here are too shy to come up and ask questions. 

Here are a few photos. Stay tuned for photos if the new banner submissions.

A third meet up is being scheduled for World Vegan Month, so stay tuned for details :)

Submission #7

                                      

Our family is vegan because we choose to actively practice non-violence in our home and in our lives.  

-Heidi, Canada

Vegan Craftivist Kits Now Available!

 

If you would like to take part in this project but don't have materials, then send an email to vegancraftivist (AT) gmail.com for a vegan craftivist kit.
Many colors and patterns are available, so be sure to let me know your color preference.

Once completed, then mail your banner back! It all fits in a standard letter sized envelope.

 

Once I collect 100 banners from vegans world-wide, I will be sewing them together to display in vegan establishments and demonstrations.

 

Why vegan craftivism? Because we can make an impact for non-human animals through craft. By creating, I hope to make others think "Why Vegan for Non-human Animals." 

Second Craftivism Event in Lausanne...

...is on Saturday, October 4th at 3pm in Bubble Cafe.

RSVP here: https://www.facebook.com/events/325354997633798

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Le deuxieme evenement Craftivism Végétalien à Lausanne est le Samedi, Oct. 4th, Bubble Café.

RSVP ici: https://www.facebook.com/events/325354997633798

See you there - à bientot! :)

Submission #6

            "I'm vegan because for just a tiny little bit of extra effort on my part (which in any case is mainly caused by other people, not by the actual vegan way of life), I can help stop needless suffering. Animals are beings in themselves and it costs me nothing to respect that, and instead actually benefits both my health and the health of this planet."

 

- Jade, UK/Switzerland 

Submission #5

"I always preferred to observe animals rather then torture them, so it was the first thing that came to my mind, when I thought of the reasons why I'm vegan - I don't want animals to suffer. It just feels right and always did. I hope this project will show that there are many of us, who care for animals and don't wish them any harm."

-Meg, Poland/Switzerland 

Submission #4

"Je l'ai fait parce que j'aime la vie, la nature,et les animaux, et j'aimerais que cette belle energie vole dans ce monde qui en a besoin de notre respectuese presence ephemere..."  

 

-Alessandra, Switzerland 

 

 

Submission #3

By Paloma, Switzerland 

 

First Ever Vegan Craft-In!

The craft-in was a great first event, which I hope to be able to repeat very soon.

I also have virtual vegan craft-ins in the works so stay tuned :)

I'm collecting banners via mail, so do send me an email when you have yours done for the address (see the how to tab above on the project guidelines)

I'll be posting the new submissions in the next couple of days. For now, here's some of yesterday's event (I forgot to take a group photo!):

Thank you to everyone that took part and also to Collection V - L'Age D'Homme for lending us their space for getting our craft on!

Our First Vegan Craft-In!! Join me in Lausanne, Switzerland

If you live in Lausanne or nearby, perhaps you'd like to get your vegan craft-on on behalf of nonhuman animals!

Please check out the details and RSVP for the event HERE:Vegan Craft-In!

Every participant gets an awesome "I'm a Vegan Craftivist" sticker :D

(Everyone that mails a submission gets a sticker and a mini-zine)

For those not in Switzerland, 

STAY TUNED FOR DETAILS FOR A VIRTUAL VEGAN CRAFT-IN COMING SOON!

Submission #2

All the way from the US, we have the second submission to the project!!

"Being vegan means that I can fully love and respect animals without moral conflict." - Leah, USA

How To Be Part of The Project

I'm thrilled that you've come to see what the Vegan Craftivist Project is all about!

WHAT COUNTS AS A SUBMISSION?
I'm looking for 4x8 inch banners proclaiming WHY VEGAN for non-human animals
made by vegans like yourself!

These banners will be sewn together and displayed in 
vegan venues and demonstrations world-wide.

For details on how to make your banner and where to send it,

be sure to check out the "Project How To" CLICK HERE.

For questions, email me at vegancraftivist(AT)gmail(DOT)com.

The current target to get the project going is 100 banners.

I look forward to seeing your finished piece!

Submission #1

I became vegan, first and foremost, on behalf of nonhuman animals. 

Once I learned the truth, thanks for the film "Earthlings", I knew I couldn't keep making the daily choice of exploiting nonhuman animals when I could easily make other choices and live a 

healthy life without hurting anyone. 

-Julia, Switzerland