Slojd beginnings
As I've mentioned before there's a podcast I listen to, the Sloydcast and at the end the hosts always ask their guest the same last question : "What does Sloyd mean to you ?"
Every guest has a different answer, for me it would be this : Lemon Meringue Pie.
I have always loved cooking and dabbled as a teenager but it was only when I left home in my early twenties that I had to cook for myself all of the time. These were the days before supermarket ready meals and in a small town like Hastings takeaways were either Fish and Chips or Chinese.
My favourite pie has always been Lemon Meringue and to make it my mum always used a pre prepared mix from a packet, by Birds the custard people. So when I wanted to make it myself I did the same, until that is I began reading cookery books.
Turns out you can make it yourself with just Cornflour, eggs and a lemon. Things I already had in my cupboard, I didn't need the packet at all !
For me this was a revelation, not only was it cheaper or need a trip to the shops, but suddenly there were possibilities. I could now make Grapefruit meringue or Apple or Peach or . . . possibilities.
And this is the essence of Sloyd, more than just whittling a spoon it is the realisation that you can do most things yourself, starting where you are and with what you have around you. It is self sufficiency and a breaking away from the reliance on big business to supply all of our needs.
It is freedom.
