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BEYOND PRISON: Stories Of Transformation from the Inside

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I have always known that being creative is healing and beneficial to the world. This doco shows you just what a difference a little “crafting creativness” can do to someones well being.

Beyond Prison  is a multimedia collection of documentary stories that showcases proven, vibrant models of transformative prison work.

The project is an expansion of the short documentary  Path of Freedom, released in 2012.

The stories include testimonies from leaders in corrections, cutting-edge research, and profiles of cost-effective,

Tansformative methodologies in US prisons from Sing Sing to San Quentin. Featured programs include: Insight-Out: Guiding Rage into Power, Rehabilitation Through The Arts, Mind Body Awareness Project, ArtSpring, Prison Mindfulness Institute, Insight Garden Program, and Center for Council.

 

Together, these stories offer a unique glimpse into what prison could be: a place of transformation from the inside out.

Featured stories include:

A Pledge to Give Back: Guiding Rage into Power

Taking off the Mask: Rehabilitation Through The Arts

Foundations of Change: Life Skills for At-Risk Youth

The Art of Trust: Creativity and Healing in Women’s Prison

Path of Freedom: Prison Mindfulness and Meditation

 Breaking New Ground: Gardening on the Inside

Circle of Strength: Restoring Relationship through Empathy

Kalliopeia Foundation  is a private grantmaking foundation in Northern California.

Kalliopeia works to create a future where universal spiritual values form the foundation of how we care for

our common home.

 

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Designer Spotlight: Bad Stitched

I came across the Etsy shop Bad Stitched when I was looking for bookmark cross stitch patterns and found their adorable pride bat bookmark, which I didn’t share then because I was going for more of a back to school vibe, but it’s definitely worth checking out if you love rainbows and bats. 

This Etsy shop is big on whimsy and color, but not on organization, as there are not categories. Still, as of this writing there were only a little more than 60 patterns, so it’s small enough to scroll through. 

In keeping with the theme of the bat bookmark, there are a lot of designs with animals and insects in different colors. Another one that caught my in this neon cicada with a crescent moon and stars. This one is 85 by 70 stitches and uses 16 colors. On 14 count fabric it comes out to 6 by 5 inches, or 15.4 by 12.7 cm. 

You’ll also find patterns with animals such as mice, a snail, a jellyfish, a wolf, a corgi in a birthday hat, a fat seal and other bat designs. There are several mushroom designs, a pirate frog, and a scuba diving ghost (among other ghostly designs). You’ll find cats and mythical characters, a mouse thinking about eating strawberries and more. 

There’s also an ebook full of mushroom designs, and another of creepy creatures for Halloween and beyond. There’s also a Pantheon bundle, full of gods, goddesses, characters from mythology, three amphora designs and a Greek inspired font. 

If these sorts of designs sound like something you’d like to stitch, check out Bad Stitched on Etsy. 

Know of a cross stitch designer (or are you a cross stitch designer) who should be featured in the designer spotlight? Let me know by leaving a comment or sending a note through the “suggest a DIY” link at the top of the page. 

[Photo: Bad Stitched]