When it comes to a
hobby or a craft, anything of interest to you might just turn into items that
people would be very interested in purchasing; especially if they are a “one of
a kind”. Which could be the start of a new home based business for you as an
artisan.
click here for
several different books relating to hobbies, crafts & jewelry making located in
our store.
An artisan (from Italian: artigiano) is a skilled manual
worker who crafts items that may be functional or strictly decorative,
including furniture, clothing, jewelry, household items, and tools. The term
can also be used as an adjective to refer to the craft of hand making food
products, such as bread, beverages and cheese.
Manufacture by hand and with hand tools imparts unique and individual
qualities to artisan products, in contrast to mass produced goods where everyone
is nearly identical. Artisans traditionally work in media such as wood, ceramics,
glass, common and precious metals, basketry, textiles, esparto grass, and leather.
Artisan origins
Artisans were the dominant producers of goods before the Industrial
Revolution. According to Classical economics theory, the division of labor
occurs with internal market development (Adam Smith). However, according to
economist John Hicks, merchants and artisans originated as servants to the rulers,
which occurred much earlier. Artisans employ creative thinking and manual
dexterity to produce their goods.
Medieval
artisans
During the middle ages the term "artisan" was applied to those
who made things or provided services. It did not apply to unskilled laborers.
Artisans were divided into two distinct groups: those who operated their own
business, and those who did not. Those who owned their businesses were called
masters, while the latter were the journeymen and apprentices. One
misunderstanding many people have about this social group is that they picture
them as "workers" in the modern sense: employed by someone. The most
influential group among the artisans was the masters, the business owners. The
owners enjoyed a higher social status in their communities.
Artisan
potter
Also known as a "Studio Potter", or a "Master
Potter", a skilled person who crafts and fires handmade pottery, made from
raw clay. Artisan potters create a wide variety of wares, from functional to
purely decorative, or a synergistic culmination of both. An artisan potter
often makes objects that reflect their personal esthetic or sense of value. In
this sense, they elevate even the simplest piece, such as a raku teacup, to an
art-form.
Artisan
jewelry
Artisan jewelry dates back as far as 7000 BC, when gold and copper began
to be sculpted to adorn the human form, and the practice continues today.
Although rarely price-competitive with machine-made items, artisan handmade
jewelry is prized for its uniqueness, variety, and beauty. Reflecting the
talents of the artisan onto the wearer, the broad spectrum of artisan jewelry
is available to provide satisfaction to royalty, rock stars, and "everyday
folk." Thousands of jewelry artisans exist around the globe. Some fine
examples of artisan jewelry can be seen at museums.
Quilt
artisans
Quilt-maker artisans are called quilters. These artisans are mostly
women who make quilts especially in their houses. Quilt making is traditional
folk art worldwide, including south Asia where their traditional quilts are
called Ralli quilts.
