Description of Needlework?
EGNeedler
to needlework as "crafting" or as a "craft." I have always considered my
needlework as more of an art rather than a craft. It would be interesting to
hear what some of you other stitchers feel about this aspect of your
needlework.
Eleanor
JPageC
In article <19990218001109...@ng-fq1.aol.com>, egne...@aol.com
(EGNeedler) writes:
I tend to think of xs, np, quilting, etc, as folk art. I frequent a JoAnn's
for basic supplies, and what I see classified as "crafts" strike me as somewhat
junky, although I realize this isn't always the case.
Jacqueline
Morgantown WV
WIPs: "Rosy Repose" by Paula Vaughn
"Santa Portrait" (Vermillion Stitchery) in JCS 1998 ornament issue
"Seashell Favorites" from LA's "Quick as a Wink" leaflet
Carrie & Dean (or 1 of us)
craft. So, I guess in that sense it is a craft. A craft learned and
apprenticed you could say since we spend so many hours at it! ;-) (or try
to spend so many hours at it!)
Carrie Lee
EGNeedler wrote in message <19990218001109...@ng-fq1.aol.com>...
>During the past several months I have noticed some of the stitchers
referring
>to needlework as "crafting" or as a "craft." I have always considered my
>needlework as more of an art rather than a craft. It would be interesting
to
>hear what some of you other stitchers feel about this aspect of your
>needlework.
>
>Eleanor
LISA & TIM
>
> During the past several months I have noticed some of the stitchers referring
> to needlework as "crafting" or as a "craft." I have always considered my
> needlework as more of an art rather than a craft. It would be interesting to
> hear what some of you other stitchers feel about this aspect of your
> needlework.
>
> Eleanor
I like the term "craft" but in the sense of 'working hard at our craft'
or 'art form'. Most needleworks are 'works of art' when finished...as
are quilts (and many other types of 'crafting' as well), IMO. The most
important thing is that the creator enjoys the process of creation and
the results of their hard work and, if very lucky, it brings delight and
joy into the lives of others.
Lisa
MissyCor
and tacky. JMO!
Melissa C.
sha...@epix.net
>
> During the past several months I have noticed some of the stitchers referring
> to needlework as "crafting" or as a "craft." I have always considered my
> needlework as more of an art rather than a craft.
>
And so does the Needle Art industry!
Just this past month, TNNA- The National Needlework Association- adopted
a new set of bylaws.
I was chairperson for the committee and one change we made was to change
the wording of needlework to needle arts.
For those of you who may not know, TNNA is the trade association for
needle art manufacturers and we are proud to stand alone from other
hobby and craft organizations.
Our designers consider themselves artists and think of the
embellishments to the canvases we design as taking our art a little
further. Same with a blank piece of fabric...the stitcher will embellish
that fabric with beautiful embroidery and turn the blank piece of fabric
into a work of art.
My simple and personal definition of art is to create someting that
comes from the heads and exits through the fingers. It is creative,
expressive and satisfying to the artist. Whether you think of what you
do as art or as a craft is personal. But the industry as a whole thinks
of it as needle art.
One more thing, take pride in your work. Make it the best you can and
use the best materials you can afford. Be creative.
In the recent issue of needlepointers, Julia Key Snyder of Dallas TX,
who is also the owner of Key Stitches, did a wonderful counted piece on
wire mesh found in hardware stores. She was generous enough to include
the chart for her stitches in the publication, which is the publication
for the American Needlepoint Guild. The piece is stunning and a work of
art. And aslo included in the current issue are photos of the award
winners from ANG's annual convention that was held in San Diego this
past October. Each one a work of art.
You can see some of these at
Click on what is needlepoint and then click on the link ribbon winners
from the 1998 exhibit. You will find some painted canvases and some
counted work.
This may also inspire you to grab a piece of canvas and give needlepoint
a try. Although large hanpainted canvases will cost more than the
average cross stitch piece, you can do a wonderful counted needlepoint
or samll canvas at a very affordable price.
SharonG
EAM
egne...@aol.com writes:
>During the past several months I have noticed some of the stitchers referring
>to needlework as "crafting" or as a "craft." I have always considered my
>hear what some of you other stitchers feel about this aspect of your
>needlework.
AFAIC, it's a craft, almost in the Arts and Crafts Movement/ William
Morris sense of work, with the hands, that enobles the worker.
One of the major points of A&C was that all that machine- made,
identical, ugly, _stuff_ -- and having lost the hands- on contact with
production -- was corrupting the common man and society. We should all
"have nothing about [us] that [we] do not know to be useful, or believe
to be beautiful." (So they revived, invented, or reinvented 'antique'
methods and designs, went into business, and, since it was all hand work,
were so expensive that only the wealthy could afford them, and lost their
-- hand sewn -- shirts ... ;-) But they regarded 'craft' as descended
from the medieval guild system, as 'produce[d] with care, skill, or
ingenuity' (Merriam Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, 10th Edition), and
as somehow higher and more spiritual than just 'work'.
Art, on the other hand, generally claims to be a separate realm, not part
of everyday life. If you read any of the arguments for continuing US
government support of the Arts (which I firmly believe in, but...), they
all seemed to have the attitude that "I, being an _artist_, can do this
and _you_, oh poor ordinary person, _can't_ -- and you should marvel at
it and recognize and support me as a superior being with insights you'll
never have." The number of times I've heard things like "artists are
different from other people" or "artists see the world differently and
therefore lead society into new insights and rejection of old ways"! 8-P
I wouldn't be an _artist_ if you paid me...
So, to me, my needlework is a craft, I am a craftswoman, and working at
that craft -- doing it as close the highest standard I can define as I
can manage -- is satisfying, enriching, and enlightening.
-- Elizabeth (stepping gingerly off her soapbox now)
PS: Unless I can get the discussion into the craft guild/ Arts & Crafts
Movement context, though, I usually just call what I do 'needlework' and
let it go at that. To many people the word 'craft' has connotations of
Scout or school projects, cheap materials, minimal skill levels, and
horrid bad taste.
MissyCor
>Scout or school projects, cheap materials, minimal skill levels, and
>horrid bad taste.
Exactly my point! Well said.
Melissa C.
skee...@my-dejanews.com
egne...@aol.com (EGNeedler) wrote:
> During the past several months I have noticed some of the stitchers referring
> to needlework as "crafting" or as a "craft." I have always considered my
> needlework as more of an art rather than a craft. It would be interesting to
> hear what some of you other stitchers feel about this aspect of your
> needlework.
>
>
Interesting topic, Eleanor.
When I was a child, I considered my needlework a craft. But these days, when
folks say the word "craft" they tend to be refering to something involving a
hot glue gun and dried or silk flowers. I find I've made a mental
distinction between needlework and craft, though I haven't gone as far as
considering it art. I guess that's because I typically follow a pattern of
someone else's design. Since I was just replicating someone else's ideas,
I've never considered myself an artist.
Still, I'm no art snob -- I don't believe that only decorative items
such as paintings and sculptures qualify as art. Art museums are full of
functional, every-day items which were decorated by their creators: pottery,
quilts, furniture.
Furthermore, art isn't only a noun. It isn't just the product, it's also
(maybe even mostly) the process. Maybe I've been selling my hobbies short...
Susan K. in MA
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Martha Beth Lewis
(EGNeedler) writes:
>
>During the past several months I have noticed some of the stitchers
referring
>to needlework as "crafting" or as a "craft." I have always considered
my
>needlework as more of an art rather than a craft.
You are correct. They are wrong. Ignore them. They are
Phillistines. mb
wol...@pacbell.net
>(EGNeedler) writes:
>>
>>During the past several months I have noticed some of the stitchers
>referring
>>to needlework as "crafting" or as a "craft." I have always considered
>my
>>needlework as more of an art rather than a craft.
>
> You are correct. They are wrong. Ignore them. They are
> Phillistines. mb
Hey. Watch the harsh language, there, please, mb, or at least spell it
correctly. :-)
Nan Evelyn, whose postings can be looked up at Deja News, including the ones
where needlework is called a craft, but who is old fashioned in her usage of the
term and will avoid it in future since so many now equate it with "junk" instead
of "high-quality work done with care, respect and skill." Another good word down
the drain.
Deb from ToonTown
>
> During the past several months I have noticed some of the stitchers referring
> to needlework as "crafting" or as a "craft." I have always considered my
> hear what some of you other stitchers feel about this aspect of your
> needlework.
>
> Eleanor
Craft
1 : skill in planning, making, or executing : DEXTERITY
2 : 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>
Art
1 : skill acquired by experience, study, or observation <the art of
making friends>
2 a : a branch of learning: (1) : one of the humanities (2) plural :
LIBERAL ARTS b archaic : LEARNING, SCHOLARSHIP
3 : an occupation requiring knowledge or skill <the art of organ
building>
4 a : the conscious use of skill and creative imagination especially in
the production of aesthetic objects; also : works so produced b (1) :
FINE ARTS (2) : one of the fine arts (3) : a graphic art
From these two dictionary defintions, it seems that "Art" and "Craft" in
their truest forms are really not that far apart. Anything can be done
carefully or carelessly; it depends more on the skill of the maker than
the term used to describe what they're doing. I have a fine art degree,
and I've never made much of a distinction between art and craft. IMHO,
they both come from the same place.
EAM wrote:
> Art, on the other hand, generally claims to be a separate realm, not part
> of everyday life.
But art can also be part of everyday life, if you let it be.
> To many people the word 'craft' has connotations of Scout or school projects, cheap > materials, minimal skill levels, and horrid bad taste.
Oh, Yeah!! Some of those craft shows on TV are something else! There's
some really good ideas, but some real losers too. Let's take some junk,
glue it and paint it up, and then throw it out because that's all it's
good for!
David Fehser wrote:
> When I think of an artist I think of someone who can have a vision and
> make it real. In doing XS I don't think of myself as an artist
> because I am taking someone else's vision and doing the mechanics of
> it. That is not to put the "craft" down at all.
Often we stitchers make some alterations in the piece, and that does
take some vision.
skee...@my-dejanews.com wrote:
> Still, I'm no art snob -- I don't believe that only decorative items
> such as paintings and sculptures qualify as art. Art museums are full of
> functional, every-day items which were decorated by their creators: pottery,
> quilts, furniture.
True. Anything can have art (or craft!) on it.
>
> Furthermore, art isn't only a noun. It isn't just the product, it's also
> (maybe even mostly) the process.
Process is also a part of XS for me. If I didn't get something out of
the process, it wouldn't be worth doing.
Deb
--
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The internet is on computers now.
Homer Simpson
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LISA & TIM
> Craft
> 1 : skill in planning, making, or executing : DEXTERITY
> 2 : 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>
> Art
> 1 : skill acquired by experience, study, or observation <the art of
> making friends>
> 2 a : a branch of learning: (1) : one of the humanities (2) plural :
> LIBERAL ARTS b archaic : LEARNING, SCHOLARSHIP
> 3 : an occupation requiring knowledge or skill <the art of organ
> building>
> 4 a : the conscious use of skill and creative imagination especially in
> the production of aesthetic objects; also : works so produced b (1) :
> FINE ARTS (2) : one of the fine arts (3) : a graphic art
>
> From these two dictionary defintions, it seems that "Art" and "Craft" in
> their truest forms are really not that far apart. Anything can be done
> carefully or carelessly; it depends more on the skill of the maker than
> the term used to describe what they're doing. I have a fine art degree,
> and I've never made much of a distinction between art and craft. IMHO,
> they both come from the same place.
Thanks so much for this definition....as a 'crafter' who among my many
interests, one happens to be XS, I was beginning to feel a bit insulted.
If you think a specific 'craft' is junk, that's your opinion and at the
risk of hurting someone's pride in doing the best job they could you
should keep it to yourself. Yes, I've seen stuff I personally didn't
like, but that's personal taste..not being better than someone else.
Crafting is a huge industry these days and that breeds inferior
productions and heavy promotion.
Since when does doing 'needle arts' put someone on a higher pedestal
than someone who does flower arranging? I thought we were all crafters
here wanting to share in the joy of crafting. I personally find it very
hard to XS whilest sticking my nose up in the air. There is no right or
wrong in my craft world...just MHO...
Lisa
Dianne Lewandowski
on this one), we need to come up with a new term for the "junk" stuff
currently being sold as "crafts". This is where the term is being
misused.
As I've said in the past, my brother is a craftsman with wood, my
grandmother a craftsman at china painting many years ago (as well as
an expert needleworker/dressmaker), and several other relatives in my
family are craftsman (shipbuilders, model makers, wood carvers,
painters). They all studied for years and used their creativity,
ingenuity to bring their particular area of expertise to a "fine"
level of craftsmanship. Some of their works are in local museums.
I have a problem with persons who paint stir sticks and call it a
"craft". It's a minor hobby.
Perhaps the crux of the problem is how our society defines and honors
certain activities. As a whole, this society does not honor the arts
in any form, whether that be needlework, wood carving, ballet or the
opera. But it places high regard for bats and pigskin balls.
Go figure. It's up to us to change that.
Dianne
Deb from ToonTown wrote:
>
> EGNeedler wrote:
> >
> > During the past several months I have noticed some of the stitchers referring
> > to needlework as "crafting" or as a "craft." I have always considered my
> > needlework as more of an art rather than a craft. It would be interesting to
> > hear what some of you other stitchers feel about this aspect of your
> > needlework.
> >
> > Eleanor
> from http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary
> Craft
> 1 : skill in planning, making, or executing : DEXTERITY
> 2 : 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>
> Art
> 1 : skill acquired by experience, study, or observation <the art of
> making friends>
> 2 a : a branch of learning: (1) : one of the humanities (2) plural :
> LIBERAL ARTS b archaic : LEARNING, SCHOLARSHIP
> 3 : an occupation requiring knowledge or skill <the art of organ
> building>
> 4 a : the conscious use of skill and creative imagination especially in
> the production of aesthetic objects; also : works so produced b (1) :
> FINE ARTS (2) : one of the fine arts (3) : a graphic art
>
> From these two dictionary defintions, it seems that "Art" and "Craft" in
> their truest forms are really not that far apart. Anything can be done
> carefully or carelessly; it depends more on the skill of the maker than
> the term used to describe what they're doing. I have a fine art degree,
> and I've never made much of a distinction between art and craft. IMHO,
> they both come from the same place.
>
The Shannons
small whimsical projects are crafts because they are kits completed
correctly but not necessarily with loving care. The larger, more complex,
projects are something else. I consider myself an artisan when I work
those. I am using someone else's design but it's my careful stitches and
perhaps my tweaks of floss and design that makes the finished project
special. I may not be artist enough to create a design but I am artisan
enough to fulfil the promise of the design.
Mary K.
EGNeedler wrote in message <19990218001109...@ng-fq1.aol.com>...
Sherri L Wilcauskas
But here's another twist: when describing myself, I have no qualms
about calling myself an artisan, but would never call myself an
artist, because I am always working from a pattern someone else
imagined and created.
Just another word distinction to toss into the mix.
Sherri
RowanA
> During the past several months I have noticed some of the stitchers referring
> to needlework as "crafting" or as a "craft." I have always considered my
> needlework as more of an art rather than a craft. It would be interesting to
> hear what some of you other stitchers feel about this aspect of your
When I design, draw or paint something myself, I consider it to be art --
because it is something created out of my imagination, with my craftsmanship as
a tool. When I work on something that someone ELSE has designed (a
cross-stitch creation, a crocheted sweater, a tole painting) I consider it to
be a craft. When it comes to needlework, someone like Teresa Wentzler or
Marilyn Leavitt-Imblum is an artist. When I work from their charts, I am a
craftsperson -- even if I change a color here or there, or personalize the
design to make it more "my own." I don't see any reason to denigrate crafting
-- it is a time-honored tradition, and fine craftsmanship is to be treasured.
It even becomes "art" after a while -- look at the value we place on old
samplers, which were definitely "crafts" during their era and were never really
intended to be framed and treated as masterpieces, and sold for thousands of
dollars! For the most part, though, I think the difference between art and
craft is originality. :-) Mary
Lynne9876
Uh oh, and I was going to stay out of all controversial issues. :-) What
follows is Just My Opinion:
If I were stitching my own designs, I would call it "art." Since I am stitching
others' designs, I call what I am doing a craft. What the designer did is
"art," not what I did.
I would still call what I did a "craft" even though I may have made small
changes here and there. I wouldn't call it "art" unless the design was
completely mine from start to finish.
I'm not anxious to call the needlework that I do, mainly for relaxation, "art"
rather than a "craft." I have done some things that I do consider "art"
(fiction writing, portrait drawing, scene, lighting and costume design) . . .
and it's not the same process for me and it's NOT relaxing for me. I do not
believe there is any dishonor in doing crafts rather than doing art. Although
they serve some of the same purposes in our lives, they also serve some
different, but equally important ones.
I guess I would call a creative effort of mine "art" when it's done and I truly
believe that no one else could/would have produced the same thing that I just
did. When I do a cross stitch from a chart, I know that others have indeed
produced the same thing, and I don't really consider that changes in color or
materials or a border turn it into "my" art. It's still the designer's art but
my craft.
After reading some of the other posts on the topic, I see that the negative
connotation that the word "craft" has, at least in America, is a concern.
That's true, although unfortunate. Perhaps that's why, upon reflection, I
usually call what I do "needlework" or "embroidery" or "writing" or "drawing"
rather than "art" or "craft."
In article <19990218001109...@ng-fq1.aol.com>, egne...@aol.com
(EGNeedler) writes:
>During the past several months I have noticed some of the stitchers referring
>to needlework as "crafting" or as a "craft." I have always considered my
>needlework as more of an art rather than a craft. It would be interesting to
>hear what some of you other stitchers feel about this aspect of your
>needlework.
>
>Eleanor
>
>
Lynne
Please use c h a r d e a u @ a o l . c o m for e-mail. Thank you.
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Sayers, Donald Westlake, Emma Bull/Chocolate
Kathy Hoover
says...
> In article <19990218001109...@ng-fq1.aol.com>,
> egne...@aol.com (EGNeedler) wrote:
> > During the past several months I have noticed some of the stitchers referring
> > to needlework as "crafting" or as a "craft." I have always considered my
> > needlework as more of an art rather than a craft. It would be interesting to
> > hear what some of you other stitchers feel about this aspect of your
> > needlework.
> >
> > Eleanor
> >
>
> When I was a child, I considered my needlework a craft. But these days, when
> folks say the word "craft" they tend to be refering to something involving a
> hot glue gun and dried or silk flowers. I find I've made a mental
> distinction between needlework and craft, though I haven't gone as far as
> considering it art. I guess that's because I typically follow a pattern of
> someone else's design. Since I was just replicating someone else's ideas,
> I've never considered myself an artist.
Back when I first started reading RCTN in 1997, a similar discussion came
up and someone (I wish I remembered who!) compared our 'art' of
needlework to the performance of music....a lot of musicians are
competent 'performers' who can re-create a musical work of art, but
cannot (or do not wish to) create original musical works. Many
needleworkers are the same...they re-create needlework 'art', but
choose not to create original works (for whatever reason--in my case,
lack of talent!) You would not hesitate to call a musician who performs
a great musical work an 'artist' even if they were not the creator of
the score. Some people's greatest skill lies in 'creating' while others
are brilliant 'performers'. They are both artists in my opinion, and also
IMHO the same is true of needlework 'artists'. We can't all be TWs and
MLIs, and musicians can't all be Bach, or McCartney. (that's not to say
that you can't be both, but I expect there are a lot more of us
'performer' only types ;-D ).
I think it is a *wonderful* analogy...kudos to whoever it was that
thought it up!
Kathy
>
> Still, I'm no art snob -- I don't believe that only decorative items
> such as paintings and sculptures qualify as art. Art museums are full of
> functional, every-day items which were decorated by their creators: pottery,
> quilts, furniture.
>
> Furthermore, art isn't only a noun. It isn't just the product, it's also
Dianne Lewandowski
somebody actually remembered <very big grin>. And after reading it
again two years later, still feel pretty much the same way.
Not every needleworker is competent to a perfectionist degree. I've
read several times about Eleanor Roosevelt being an absolutely horrid
knitter (the days of knitting socks and sweaters for the "boys" at
war). But it didn't stop her from enjoying it. She just wasn't very
good at it, according to those around her who were.
In times past before machines, when individuals loomed their own
cloth, or embellished it, or sewed their own clothing - not all were
craftsmen at the tasks. But being less than perfect shouldn't deter
anyone from enjoying it. We all have varying degrees of talent.
Dianne
Kathy Hoover wrote:
>
> In article <7ahmgm$opq$1...@nnrp1.dejanews.com>, skee...@my-dejanews.com
> says...
> Back when I first started reading RCTN in 1997, a similar discussion came
Lula
for fun and relaxation as it should be.
I may be a needlework designer, but my stitching is purely for
enjoyment. I love the process of stitching, seeing the design appear on
canvas - watching how tiny little stitches coming together to create a
larger whole - each adding it's own contribution of color and detail.
To be honest, I never worry about "flaws". I stitch for the pleasure of
seeing my project come to life and that is the most important attitude
to have.
If I worried about every little stitch, I'd never get started - most of
us become quite competent at something we want to do sooner or later as
we keep trying and in the process learning.
As long as one has the enthusiasm to try new things, needlework will
carry on forever - after all, look at those childish samplers with all
their myriad mistakes, now considered charming treasures.
Those of us that have enthusiasm for our work will always enjoy it and
that is what life is all about!
---
Lula
http://www.woolydream.com
Needlework Adventures
Kirk and Liz
stitchers would make an intentional flaw because in their opinion, only
God can create perfection.
I stitch for pleasure. (I have kept my 'childish samplers' just to remind
me of how far I have come in my stitching ability) Truly said, if you
have the enthusiasm you'll enjoy it flaws and all!
TraceyD
an avid crafter since I was a child, and I consider cross stitching to be
one of the many crafts that I enjoy. For those who think crafts other than
needle crafts are tacky an junky, I suggest they attend a reputable craft
show or craft sale (not flea market or boy scout fundraiser) and see what
people are crafting these days, they might be pleasantly surprised.
Tracey
(I don't care what it's called, I'm addicted to it, LOL)
LISA & TIM wrote in message <36CC94...@ns.sympatico.ca>...
>> from http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary
>> Craft
>> 1 : skill in planning, making, or executing : DEXTERITY
>> 2 : 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>
>> Art
>> 1 : skill acquired by experience, study, or observation <the art of
>> making friends>
>> 2 a : a branch of learning: (1) : one of the humanities (2) plural :
>> LIBERAL ARTS b archaic : LEARNING, SCHOLARSHIP
>> 3 : an occupation requiring knowledge or skill <the art of organ
>> building>
>> 4 a : the conscious use of skill and creative imagination especially in
>> the production of aesthetic objects; also : works so produced b (1) :
>> FINE ARTS (2) : one of the fine arts (3) : a graphic art
>>
>> From these two dictionary defintions, it seems that "Art" and "Craft" in
>> their truest forms are really not that far apart. Anything can be done
>> carefully or carelessly; it depends more on the skill of the maker than
>> the term used to describe what they're doing. I have a fine art degree,
>> and I've never made much of a distinction between art and craft. IMHO,
>> they both come from the same place.
>
LISA & TIM
>
> Thanks Lisa, you pretty much put into words what I was feeling. I've been
> an avid crafter since I was a child, and I consider cross stitching to be
> one of the many crafts that I enjoy. For those who think crafts other than
> needle crafts are tacky an junky, I suggest they attend a reputable craft
> show or craft sale (not flea market or boy scout fundraiser) and see what
> people are crafting these days, they might be pleasantly surprised.
> Tracey
> (I don't care what it's called, I'm addicted to it, LOL)
>
Thanks to you, Tracey! I feel much the same visiting my town's annual
'Craft Show'...it is truly one of the best I've ever been too. It never
ceases to amazing me the amount of talent there is in such a small
area...people with such creativity! I shop in awe and with cheque-book
in hand!!!LOL
Happy Crafting,
Lisa
BDS...@msn.com
works as originals but I am an artisan.
-----------== Posted via Deja News, The Discussion Network ==----------
Martha Beth Lewis
writes:
>Martha Beth Lewis wrote:
>>(EGNeedler) writes:
>>>
>>referring
>>>to needlework as "crafting" or as a "craft." I have always
considered
>>my
>>>needlework as more of an art rather than a craft.
>>
>> Phillistines. mb
>
>Hey. Watch the harsh language, there, please, mb, or at least spell it
>correctly. :-)
darn! I didn't look it up and just winged it. Apologies!
Philistines? Uncultured slobs?
mb, who's in a spelling and typing contest, always, with
Sharon and her needlepoint bras!
Martha Beth Lewis
<dia...@queststudios.com> writes:
>
>Rather than split hairs over the art/craft designation (I'm with Deb
>on this one), we need to come up with a new term for the "junk" stuff
>currently being sold as "crafts". This is where the term is being
>misused.
>
>As I've said in the past, my brother is a craftsman with wood, my
how about "artisan?" (Nan Evelyn will corroborate my spelling.)
mb
Deb from ToonTown
>
> how about "artisan?" (Nan Evelyn will corroborate my spelling.)
> mb
Craft Fair is held every November (conveniently around my birthday!).
Anyone who thinks craft means only junky stuff should see the things
here. Every year (in the spring I think) The Battlefords has a juried
show that will knock your socks off. Craft could use a good PR person.
sha...@epix.net
Last Friday my UPS driver returned a box of needlepoint canvases to me
that was supposed to be at a New Jersey shop for a trunk show a few days
before.
It was returned with a note that they could not insure it because it was
considered _artwork_. Now I know UPS does not insure artwork or antiques
that are not repalcable, but, even if this is artwork (and I agreed it
was) it is replaceable. I do it all the time. I crank out hundreds of
canvases a month and always shipped them UPS insured without a problem.
So has the rest of the industry.
After a phone call to them and inquiring what the heck happened here, I
learned they had a team of experts in to inspect packages and mine was
inspected and that is what the decision was...to not insure it because
it is art.
I did not like that answer and gave them 2 choices...after finally
reaching as far to the top of management as one can get with UPS. They
would need to issue letters to all shops in the needleart business, to
all manufacturers and anyone else who ships the stuff and tell them they
were no longer going to insure their shipments. That is thousands of
customers they would lose and I was demanding it. All I asked for was
equal treatment and if they would not insure mine, they darn right well
were not insuring anyone elses.
Or, second choice was to pick up the package, ship it off to New Jersey
fully insured Saturday delivery at no charge to me and never do this
again. They took the second choice and admitted, even if they classify
it as art, it is replaceable and can be insured.
See, we are making an impression on some people! I always pick my fights
and win and I did this time and had tons of apologies and phone calls
for the oversight. Hey, I am happy they are checking and am thrilled
they considered a Sharon G canvas art work.
Sharon G, who never shuts up till they see it her way.
wol...@pacbell.net
All right, Sharon G! Applause! Sharon RULES! Say, if you're going to be in
California later this week I'm afraid I'm going to have to fight with my
ophthalmologist and I'd love to have your help. . . .
Nan Evelyn
QnofCoffee
>During the past several months I have noticed some of the stitchers referring
>to needlework as "crafting" or as a "craft." I have always considered my
>hear what some of you other stitchers feel about this aspect of your
>needlework.
>
>Eleanor
>
Eleanor,
After reading 31 posts in this thread, I think I am ready to jump in. I am a
crafter and a stitcher. For some reason I have always kept them seperate and
distinct entities in my head. I finally figured out why while reading all of
those posts.
I have always looked at a craft as something that was handcrafted for the sake
of a sale. I am not talking about the the mass-produced "junk" that tries to
pass itself off as crafts. That is the stuff giving true crafts a bad rap in
this country, much to the dismay of those of us who had previously been
respected as "crafters."
By using the word crafts, I am referring to all of those people who design with
their heart and produce with their loving hands a work of art that may or may
not be *useful* for the prupose of making a living. (Or at least hoping they
might make back a portion of what was spent from designing to finished
product.)
When I think of Art, I think of something that was designed with the heart and
created with loving hands for the purpose of the process. Whether it is sold in
the end, or not, is irrelevant. To me, art is created for the sake of creating
it.
My stitching has always been art. I know many designers that would design
whether the end result will ever see a purchaser, or not. I am currently
designing some charts with subject matter that I have found to be lacking out
on the market. However, I am designing these for the sake of designing, so that
I can rest knowing someone has taken the time to see that these subjects were
important enough to create art about them. If, later on, I decide to sell them
to others who have an appreciation for these subjects, I will still consider
them art.
Example, to see a MLI, TW, or one of the thousand of other designers' works,
you don't have to look long to realize that these designs
are a piece of their soul and would have to be "let out" whether they ever sold
them, or not.
Even the whimsical designs that I love so much tell me about the mood of the
person when they created their art.
I apologize for the loooong post, but this subject is dear to me, as a crafter,
artisan, and artist. I have tremendous respect for anyone who takes the time to
create from the heart, whatever the end result may be.
Jodi
Orlando
Dawne Peterson
word craft, so that it is used both for the process and the product. I have
always thought the craft was in the skillful use of hand, eye and mind in
concert--so that embroidery is a craft, knitting is a craft, leatherwork is
a craft etc--so long as each is done with love and care. I think this is
close to the traditional sense of craft, and in that sense, any stitcher
here could be proud to call what she/he does their craft.
Recently, though, I have heard people (and seen some popular "crafting"
publications) call the finished project a "craft", so that they speak of a
"new craft" when really they are describing an object. If it uses
traditional techniques, it is not a new craft, it is a craft used in a new
way. Unfortunately, "new craft" often is just different stuff glued
together with Tacky Glue and painted with some new hobby paint formula--this
month frogs, next month bumblebees. I think there is a difference between
people who "do crafts" and those who practice a craft.
Dawne
Dianne Lewandowski
good word for these "bazaar" items that persons are referring to as
"crafts"? Madison Avenue has borrowed the word to lend credence to
the junk they push. We need to change it.
Dianne
sp...@bulback.cat
>Which brings me back to (and I agree with your assessment): What is a
>good word for these "bazaar" items that persons are referring to as
>"crafts"? Madison Avenue has borrowed the word to lend credence to
>the junk they push. We need to change it.
>Dianne
Most definitely! Spending ten minutes with a glue gun sticking garbage
on to a styrofoam ball does not equate with spending ten months
working on an heirloom piece. "quick and easy" is the bane of any
real crafter's existence, and the reason why some of those who look
at our creations scoff and dismiss our craft as a mere diversion from
the "important" stuff. Big time sigh!
Kim
cat is com
hgrei...@fastransit.net.uk
<dia...@queststudios.com> wrote:
>Which brings me back to (and I agree with your assessment): What is a
>good word for these "bazaar" items that persons are referring to as
>"crafts"? Madison Avenue has borrowed the word to lend credence to
>the junk they push. We need to change it.
>Dianne
I consider it bazaar junk, perhaps "bazunk"? Or maybe fair art
which would be.....no, better not ;-).
Anne/NC
E-mail response not expected but
E-mail back delete the ".uk" at the end
Dianne Lewandowski
"Well, folks - today we have a great treat. Susie - who's going to
show us more bazaar junk."
Not that everything Duvall does is necessarily junk. But I think you
get the picture <very big grin>.
Dianne