Craft
is a whole group of activities and hobbies that are related to making
various things out of one’s own hands and skills. It may refer to a
trade or particular art. The crafts skills can be further sub divided
into traditional crafts, also known as the handicrafts and the rest of
the skills continues. Crafts have been practiced since ages, while new
skill and crafts keep coming with the growing time.
Crafts have both cultural and economic importance for any country.
Crafts are the potential medium to preserve the rich traditional art,
heritage & culture, traditional skills & talents. On other side,
crafts play significant role for economic development in India and
provides ample opportunities for employment.
Modern era has seen the popularization of the traditional crafts and
skills, which are widely popular among the masses. Not only in India,
even in other parts of the world, crafts are taken care of to flourish.
Craftsmen, who experience great joy in the quality of their work need
protection to preserve their finest works of art and crafts.
The term craft also projects a family of artistic practicing within the
decorative arts that traditionally preserved. They are protecting
sculptural forms with the suitable use of natural media as wood, clay,
glass, textiles, and metal.
Few artists/craftsmen prefer to work alone, sometimes in a small group
are often referred to as Studio craft. In this way, Studio craft is an
agglomeration of different crafts like pottery, metal work, weaving,
wood carving, and other forms of wood working, glass blowing, and glass
art. Leather works and needlework join the same category.
Sometimes, Craft fair is organized to display the best crafts coming
from all part of the country. Many artists and craftspersons are invited
to add essence to the fair. Now Government of India is also paying more
attention to protect the art and crafts of our country. Folk art and
crafts also add to the beauty and grandeur of our country.
Basic Crafts Concepts
- Handicrafts: Handicraft, also famous as craft work, is a
type of work where hand is used to make useful and decorative
devices. Sometimes, simple tools are also used for making
handicrafts. Products created by the individual artisanship is
excellent in look and features. Sometimes, they bear cultural and/or
religious significance, too. In fact, mass production or machines
involved while creating the products are not handicrafts.
- Studio Pottery: Modern artists, sometimes prefer to work
alone, often in group too. They produce unique products or pottery
but in small quantity. Their products are excellent in nature. Much
studio pottery is table ware or cook ware but an increasing number
of studio potters produce non-functional or sculptural items. There
has been a new trend since 1980s away from functional pottery (e.g.
Grayson Perry). Some studio potters now prefer to be named as
ceramic artists, ceramists or simply artists.
- Artisan: An artisan, also called a craftsman, is a
skilled manual worker who is efficient in using tools and machinery
in a particular craft. They are able to mass production. Their items
are also masterpiece. Sculptures carved on stone, woods with the
help of tools are the perfect example of their skills.
Types of Crafts
- Bell Metal Craft: Bell Metal Craft is one of the oldest
human crafts. An alloy of copper and tin, bell metal is used to make
a large number of utility items which have some distinctive
characteristic features of their own.
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- Cane and Bamboo Craft: Cane and bamboo craft is used to
make a wide range of products form household utility items to
decorative items to furniture. Goods made of cane and bamboo have
distinct advantage over other materials like wood and steel. The
products produced from cane and bamboo are in great demand. The
northeast region of India is famous for cane and bamboo products.
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- Wood Crafts: The act, process, or art of carving or
fashioning objects from wood is known as wood crafts. Craftsmen
practice their craft with great skills to shape the wood into a
fascinating piece of art. know more...
- Iron Craft: India is known for its iron crafts. The
tradition of iron craft has been passed down from generation to
generation and stands unmatched in skill and creativity.
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- Brass and Bronze Craft: Brass and bronze crafts are
unique contributions of Indian artisans since ancient times. There
are various types of brass and bronze items, applauded for their
beauty as well as strength. Casting, ornamenting, enameling &
engraving are inherent features of such crafts.
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- Metal Crafts: The artist creates objects from iron or
steel by "forging" the metal; i.e., by using tools to
hammer, bend, cut, and otherwise shape it in its non-liquid form.
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- Handmade Paper: India has been a traditional producer of
handmade paper crafts for ages. This craft is used to make a large
number of items like bags, cards, covers, notepads, lamps stc. For
many, this craft is also developed as a hobby.
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- Clay and Terracotta Crafts: Clay and terracotta craft is
a hereditary craft in India. Using clay and terracotta, Indian
craftsmen are making a large number of objects which are classic
examples of beauty and artistic expression.
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- Textiles and Embroidery: India has a rich tradition of
textiles and embroideries. A variety of products are produced by
Indian craftsmen using their traditional skills.
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- Stone Crafts: Turning stone into a work of art is the
essence of stone craft. Stone carving has been used since ancient
time. Stonemasonry is the craft of shaping rough pieces of rock into
accurate geometrical shapes. know
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