People today live with mass-produced goods and depend on electronics to get through the day. However, vintage crafts have not lost their appeal. Many people collect them, while others practice them as a hobby or a livelihood. Some historians also want to preserve old skills so they won't be lost entirely.
Traditional skills arose out of necessity. In many parts of the world, stone was the most plentiful material. Everything from houses, chimneys, and boundary walls to objects of worship were made of stone. Others had wood, or clay, or even paper to work with. All of the workers achieved the function they desired, but they often beautified their creations along the way. Necessity birthed art.
For example, consider the intricate stitches used by the skilled knitters who made the famous fishermen's sweaters of the European isles. These artisans took wool from their own sheep, spun it into wool (leaving the lanolin in for extra weather protection), and made thick, heavy foul-weather gear for the men on the boats. However, they weren't satisfied with fashioning plain, serviceable garments; they created beautiful stitches that knitters still use today.
Everything needed for the home and farm was made by the people who would use it or by artisans that worked near-by. Furniture, bedding, eating utensils, candles and lamps, clothes, shoes and boots, and tools of every kind were homemade. But consider the creativity that embroidered sheets and pillowcases, made colorful quilts and woven blankets, turned the legs of chairs and tables, trimmed dresses, and waterproofed leather boots.
We all know that useful things can be beautiful. Think of baskets, hunting decoys, pottery jugs and dishes, cut-glass drinking goblets, hooked rugs, woven blankets, and stained-glass windows. Soap was perfumed, flowers were dried to preserve their colors and scents, candles were tapered and curved, chair cushions and pillows were decorated with colorful tops.
The exciting thing is that much of this heritage has been preserved by careful owners or in museums. It's easy to find objects to admire that may be hundreds of years old. Even textiles - needlepoint samplers, embroidered dresses, smocked christening gowns, evening shawls, and beaded bags - have survived for generations.
People still practice most, if not all, of the early handicrafts. Today you can take a class at a shop or a community college and learn to hook a rug, cane a chair seat, restore an oil painting, or crochet an afghan. Visitors to Colonial Williamsburg can see glass blowing, silver casting, candle making, and iron forging. Arts and crafts festivals showcase the wares of potters, woodcarvers, quilters, weavers, jewelry makers, and even book binders.
Vintage crafting is part of the heritage of every culture. These things should not be lost forever. Those who collect or who practice things of yesteryear are doing us all a service. Objects made of wood, reed, metal, stone, clay, glass, or textiles recall how things used to be and remind us that we can do for ourselves if need be.
Traditional skills arose out of necessity. In many parts of the world, stone was the most plentiful material. Everything from houses, chimneys, and boundary walls to objects of worship were made of stone. Others had wood, or clay, or even paper to work with. All of the workers achieved the function they desired, but they often beautified their creations along the way. Necessity birthed art.
For example, consider the intricate stitches used by the skilled knitters who made the famous fishermen's sweaters of the European isles. These artisans took wool from their own sheep, spun it into wool (leaving the lanolin in for extra weather protection), and made thick, heavy foul-weather gear for the men on the boats. However, they weren't satisfied with fashioning plain, serviceable garments; they created beautiful stitches that knitters still use today.
Everything needed for the home and farm was made by the people who would use it or by artisans that worked near-by. Furniture, bedding, eating utensils, candles and lamps, clothes, shoes and boots, and tools of every kind were homemade. But consider the creativity that embroidered sheets and pillowcases, made colorful quilts and woven blankets, turned the legs of chairs and tables, trimmed dresses, and waterproofed leather boots.
We all know that useful things can be beautiful. Think of baskets, hunting decoys, pottery jugs and dishes, cut-glass drinking goblets, hooked rugs, woven blankets, and stained-glass windows. Soap was perfumed, flowers were dried to preserve their colors and scents, candles were tapered and curved, chair cushions and pillows were decorated with colorful tops.
The exciting thing is that much of this heritage has been preserved by careful owners or in museums. It's easy to find objects to admire that may be hundreds of years old. Even textiles - needlepoint samplers, embroidered dresses, smocked christening gowns, evening shawls, and beaded bags - have survived for generations.
People still practice most, if not all, of the early handicrafts. Today you can take a class at a shop or a community college and learn to hook a rug, cane a chair seat, restore an oil painting, or crochet an afghan. Visitors to Colonial Williamsburg can see glass blowing, silver casting, candle making, and iron forging. Arts and crafts festivals showcase the wares of potters, woodcarvers, quilters, weavers, jewelry makers, and even book binders.
Vintage crafting is part of the heritage of every culture. These things should not be lost forever. Those who collect or who practice things of yesteryear are doing us all a service. Objects made of wood, reed, metal, stone, clay, glass, or textiles recall how things used to be and remind us that we can do for ourselves if need be.
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