a cRAFT STORY:         NORA

A Craft Story follows a queer and nonbinary craftsperson at Berea College as they work through questions of identity, representation, and belonging. The film is rooted in the Craft Industries workshop, where they begin designing a set of baby blankets that move beyond the old idea that girls get pink and boys get blue. For years, they felt boxed in by those expectations. This project gave them room to make something that felt true to who they are and to the many people who do not see themselves in traditional gender categories.

The documentary moves between their interviews and the quiet, everyday moments of their creative process. You see how the Elements Series came to life. Four blankets. Four color palettes. All of them were built around the idea that craft can hold a broader range of identities than what we usually see. The film also reflects the broader shift underway at Student Craft. Students have more say in what they make and why they make it. Their stories and lived experiences matter. When people feel seen and respected, the work becomes more honest and more meaningful.

At its core, this piece is about the power of craft to make space for people who often feel pushed to the margins. It invites the viewer to consider how design can open doors rather than close them. It reminds us that representation matters everywhere, including a weaving room in a small Kentucky town.

The production itself came together quickly. We had one week to plan, then spent two long days filming everything we needed. Editing happened just as fast. Even with that tight schedule, the film reached a broad audience. It earned more than 680,000 views, brought in over 2,000 link clicks, and reached more than 790,000 impressions across social media. The still photography for the project stood on its own and went on to win a National American Advertising Award and two Emmy Awards. The entire project was completed on a modest budget, yet it carried a reach and emotional impact far beyond its size. It stands as an example of what thoughtful, inclusive storytelling can do.

www.bcstudentcraft.com

  • Student waving a striped Berea College Student Craft baby blanket against a blue sky.
  • Close-up of colorful Berea College Student Craft thread spools with pastel shades of blue, green, yellow, orange, and pink.
  • Emerson Craft with short brown hair standing in a creek at Brushy Fork, surrounded by green trees, holding a Berea College Student Craft baby blanket over their shoulder and looking down.
  • Emerson Croft standing in a shallow creek at Brushy Fork, surrounded by dense green trees, holding a Berea College Student Craft baby blanket and wearing rolled-up denim overalls and a light shirt.
  • Multiple rolls of twine or yarn arranged on a tiled floor at Berea College Student Craft, some with strings extending from them.
  • Yarn suspended from a loom at Berea College Student Craft.
A person walking in a workshop carrying a white wooden basket, with other baskets on a table and cart, and woodworking tools on shelves in the background.

Stephen Burks: Shelter In Place

A group of cyclists gathered outdoors, with one young man in front wearing a helmet, sunglasses on his helmet, a brown vest, and cycling gear, holding his bike and smiling. In the background, other cyclists and RVs are visible against a backdrop of green trees and a clear blue sky.
A young woman with brown hair and a red dress operating a wooden loom, weaving fabric in a room with wooden floors and furniture.

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Student Craft Industries