Friday, 10 July 2009
Craft Fair
Off to a Craft Fair today and tomorrow in the heart of Cheshire so I will be able to test my theory again. I already know the marque is titled Craft Tent and have met a soap maker. However I have also met a 'jeweller' who has not one handmade item all bought in goods. I know Wendy of Carmen Crafts will be there. She strings beads and make wedding tiaras. There is a book stall (not selling craft books). These are all who set up yesterday but not looking good for the visitors who hope to see the artisan. I was hoping to see the leather worker but he is at a fair in Darlington this weekend. Anyway, off we go hoping to meet a lot of interested people and maybe come away supprised.
Thursday, 9 July 2009
Handmade – Handcrafted - Hand Assembled?
What do these everyday terms really mean in the artisan world of craft.
In my view they are used to, at worst deceive and at best hoodwink potential buyers of bespoke items into believing what they see are made by craftsmen using hand tools to create individual unique pieces of craft.
However, in reality these terms used on the web and at craft fairs cover up a plethora of misinformation.
Handmade, well I make my cup of tea with my hands but really I am assembling parts. A little like the ‘jeweller’ who buys in findings and gemstones from the local supplier and sticks them together with super glue. Handmade yes but not handcrafted.
What about the cards we see at all craft fairs? Buy the card, buy the stickers and assemble with glue.
Even worse are the sites and stalls who buy in their mass produced goods from third world countries and try to pass these of as hand crafted.
I have only just returned to jewellery making after teaching for some years and I write this after studying the internet and looking at craft fairs to see what others in my field are producing. This has been difficult, as whereever I look I find these sham artisans using the materials and techniques I talks about above.
75% of handmade, handcrafted jewellery seems to be beads based. Is it a craft to thread beads on a string or wire? I think not.
24% can be found using components or third world produced products. 1% can be seen as truly artisan produced.
Off course Craft Fairs have to fill their stalls and make their money. As 99% of ‘handmade jewellery’ is non artisans made no wonder most of the places are taken by this type of product. No matter how good your product trying to show at these fairs is difficult to break into.
What has happened to the real silver jeweller, the wood turner, the pot thrower, the leather worker, the candle maker, the carver, etc. These are the true craftsmen who lighten up the Fair and encourage communication with the guests.
That Silver Touch
In my view they are used to, at worst deceive and at best hoodwink potential buyers of bespoke items into believing what they see are made by craftsmen using hand tools to create individual unique pieces of craft.
However, in reality these terms used on the web and at craft fairs cover up a plethora of misinformation.
Handmade, well I make my cup of tea with my hands but really I am assembling parts. A little like the ‘jeweller’ who buys in findings and gemstones from the local supplier and sticks them together with super glue. Handmade yes but not handcrafted.
What about the cards we see at all craft fairs? Buy the card, buy the stickers and assemble with glue.
Even worse are the sites and stalls who buy in their mass produced goods from third world countries and try to pass these of as hand crafted.
I have only just returned to jewellery making after teaching for some years and I write this after studying the internet and looking at craft fairs to see what others in my field are producing. This has been difficult, as whereever I look I find these sham artisans using the materials and techniques I talks about above.
75% of handmade, handcrafted jewellery seems to be beads based. Is it a craft to thread beads on a string or wire? I think not.
24% can be found using components or third world produced products. 1% can be seen as truly artisan produced.
Off course Craft Fairs have to fill their stalls and make their money. As 99% of ‘handmade jewellery’ is non artisans made no wonder most of the places are taken by this type of product. No matter how good your product trying to show at these fairs is difficult to break into.
What has happened to the real silver jeweller, the wood turner, the pot thrower, the leather worker, the candle maker, the carver, etc. These are the true craftsmen who lighten up the Fair and encourage communication with the guests.
That Silver Touch
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