Thursday, March 14, 2013

Crafting: A definition

What is this thing we call 'crafting'? This term has become increasingly popular. People call themselves crafters, there are magazines dedicated to craft. But what is it, exactly? I've been musing on this as I rewrote my instagram description. I describe myself as a crafter. What does that mean? What do I mean by it?

I just looked up the definition of 'craft' in the Merriam-Webster dictionary. This is what it said:


: skill in planning, making, or executing : dexterity
2
a : an occupation or trade requiring manual dexterity or artistic skill<the carpenter's craft> <the craft of writing plays> <crafts such as pottery, carpentry, and sewing>
b plural : articles made by craftspeople <a store selling crafts> <acrafts fair>
3
: skill in deceiving to gain an end <used craft and guile to close the deal>
4
: the members of a trade or trade association
5
plural usually craft
a : a boat especially of small size
b : aircraft
c : spacecraft


I think when I describe myself as a crafter I'm focusing more on definition 2a. I make things. I make art. Using all kinds of materials. Sometimes it's felt, sometimes old jam jars, sometimes even re-used plastic bags. That's what we  do as crafters. We take things and use them to make beautiful, or interesting objects.

What is so wonderful about crafting is how open it is as a definition. You can take it and do pretty much whatever you want, make it yours.

I define it as a way of looking at the world. You find an object (a leaf, a paper bag, a ball of wool) and you think to yourself "Hmm, how can I use this?"

It's an exciting way to be.


2 comments:

  1. Rawr. Tell me about it. I *hate* the word craft, and yet, it describes what I do best. It also describes the work a *like* least. Conflicting...

    I wish they came up with more words. There are so many things that deserve words and don't have them (yet).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Maybe we should come up with our own new word. My boyfriend suggested "Craftist" for a crafty artist.

      Delete

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