A few years ago, the Victoria & Albert Museum had curated an exhibit called ‘The Power of Making’. It really expresses what Sky Goodies believes in, so we quote from one of their curators below:
“About Making.
Making is the most powerful way that we solve problems, express ideas and shape our world. When you are absorbed in making, things happen that you didn’t plan. The experience can be intuitive, like sport, and it can be meditative, like music.”
Daniel Charny, guest Curator
Why we exist
Sky Goodies was founded to create products that make you smile. Memories of simpler times, when we would immerse ourselves in paper craft and the joy derived from them, is something we wish to capture in our products. In an increasingly complicated world, to create a thing of beauty, value and which involves you and de-stresses you, is our aim. In a lot of our products, the act of ‘making’is a part of the product experience. Our first collection of DIYs was launched in 2013, and is called ‘Make Happy’. This is because a creative act like ‘making’ can result in satisfaction, relaxation, emotional attachment to the product, and a good feeling. Folks fear making and ‘craft’ because they are not good at them. In our DIY Collection, the experience of making, without using scissors and cutters, becomes enjoyable, and results in a useful product. We want to make everyone – from the age of 6 to 106 – play. To be happy and spread the joy!
Why Paper?
We are often asked why Paper is our medium of choice. Well, paper is not scary… you could go wrong and make a mess of your paper craft project, and it would be ok, because you could just get some more and start again. Paper is amazingly versatile in design, finish, texture, colour, and thickness, allowing the creation of the tiniest of miniatures and surprisingly sturdy and durable furniture. Paper is 100% bio-degradable, so it doesn’t pollute. And paper is flat!
“The process of turning a 2-dimensional sheet into complex 3-dimensional form and into a thing of beauty, is more than a little magical.”
The magic is not savoured from watching videos of craft or pinning ideas to a Pinterest board, but from getting your hands dirty and taking the plunge into an unknown project, however big or small.
An object is an object is an object, but a handmade object made specifically by you, or for you by a loved one or someone you know, gets elevated into the special… that repository of collected memories and emotions that give the handmade object a little soul of its own. That is why a fancy plate may find its way to the dustbin after a season of indulgence, but the wonky little card your kid made for you with your name misspelt in glorious blotchy letters, may stay tucked away in a much-loved book, for years and years.
We believe handmade is happiness, and happiness is handmade. What’s better is that you can share what you make, be it a dish you cooked or mushrooms you grew in your attic, or a little piece of paper craft. Making and giving is pretty much the shortcut to happiness.
Children & Paper Craft
Our DIY Kits are pre-cut and pre-creased, and do not require cutting with scissors or knives. These kits are designed for all ages. But for children in particular, Paper Craft holds immense possibilities of fun and learning.
So, what really are the payoffs of tinkering with paper?
- fine motor skills improve
- paper craft imbibes the ability to deal with failure, which, we think, is the key to long-term happiness. Unlike video games and digital media, there is no ‘undo’ or ‘restart’ in a paper craft activity. The medium forces a child to be sensitive to the material and process of making
- concentration levels improve.
- social connections develop; the feeling of doing better than others, of showing off your creation, of realising your own abilities vs others
- achievement leads to self-confidence.
- and, the biggest benefit is to have FUN!
Craft for Adults
Imagine if chocolate was designated only for kids… it’s absurd, right? Adults have every right to enjoy chocolates, and in this case, Paper Craft. Why bother? Well, the reasons are so many that we could go on and on, but here are a couple…
- a sweet digital detox
- paper craft is a mindful activity. In the moment of concentration, all distractions fade away, and one can simply be, rather than think.
- craft is immensely relaxing and stress-relieving.
- the confidence to make, to deal with unknown things, to be able to fix things, only grows with every little thing you make.
- it’s a great ice-breaker! At parties, at conferences, at festivals or pretty much anytime, two or more people making something together, sharing the pains and the joys, leads to fun, laughs and bonding.
- handmade gifts are priceless and endearing, so making a gift for someone is a great way to get them to love you a little more!