I did an internet search for the definition of craft and most range in the area of:
- “the skilled practice of a practical occupation; “he learned his trade as an apprentice”
- “people who perform a particular kind of skilled work”
- “he represented the craft of brewers”
These days we see a lot of “crafty” (whose strict definition isn’t anywhere near to how it’s used) and “crafters” and these mean people who take materials and make cute things out of it. Usually using a pattern, but sometimes creating something unique from scratch.
It’s also come to mean “hip,” “fun,” “recycling,” and thrifty.
Mary Rayme, a blogger on Suite 101 defined craft as “A craft is usually a cookie-cutter or close-ended activity. The craft activity is based on a formula or recipe and all participants follow the same directions and end up with roughly the same result every time”. Whereas “art” (to this blogger) is, “Art is a work that transcends its humble materials to create an original statement or expression in a meaningful and enduring way.” I rather liked a definition I ran across with both writers and actors who view the “craft” as the tools that they use to get the result of “art”. One of my personal pet peeves is that the “art world” snubs a lot of craft areas and I believe many of these things become true art.
So what does this have to do with anything? Quite a bit! As a craft blogger, when I write about crafting I hope to define what I’m going to write about. I plan to cover those artistic endeavors that most likely get lumped into craft, for example: pottery, paper art, wearable art, fiber art, and beading. However, like my definition, I hope this all results in the presentation of true art, something we can all aspire to and admire the workmanship in.
Originally published on Frequently Wrong but Never in Doubt
