I’m late in the month for Women’s History Month and National Crafting Month so I’m killing two birds with one stone by doing a mashup of Women who Craft with Parts 1 and 2. I started my journey crafting when I was a little girl and even then I think I knew there was something soothing about working with my hands. Crochet was the first, with crocheting lap afghans with my grandmother while she watched her “stories” on television. After that was being taught how to sew and knit by my Mom and watching her make macrame wall hangings and purses. I didn’t learn macrame but I did inherit all of her ropes and cords and bag handles so I’m ready to start at any moment.
As a woman who crafts, I’m always referring to women who work with their hands as artists with artisanal skills. But what really is the difference between crafting and art and is there really a difference?
Crafting typically refers to the skilled production of handmade goods or objects, often with a focus on functionality or utility. It often involves mastery of specific techniques and materials. Craftsmanship emphasizes precision, attention to detail, and adherence to traditional methods passed down through generations.
On the other hand, art involves conceptual ideas, emotions, and concepts through various mediums such as painting, sculpture, or installation. Fine artists often prioritize creativity and originality in their work, aiming to evoke intellectual or emotional responses from viewers.
Ultimately, I think the difference between craft and art lies in the intentions behind the creation and the impact it has on both the creator and the audience. All of these women I’ve listed in Parts 1 and 2 are Crafters and Artists in their own right. They’ve taken traditional skills, modernized them and produced beautiful, thought provoking works.
Macrame
Macramé is the art of knotting cord or rope to create decorative patterns and textiles. It has ancient roots dating back to the 13th century when Arabic weavers introduced the technique to Europe. Macramé gained popularity during the Victorian era, with elaborate knotted curtains, tablecloths, and shawls. It experienced a revival in the 1960s and 1970s as part of the hippie and bohemian movements, with macramé used to create plant hangers, wall hangings, and jewelry. Today, it’s enjoying renewed interest with artisans experimenting with new designs and incorporating modern materials to create contemporary works of art.
Alexis Rainey
Atlanta Macrame Co | @atlmacrameco
Alexis founded the Atlanta Macrame Co in 2018 after trying many different kinds of textile arts like weaving, crocheting and knitting. She fell in love with macrame and that was it. She sells pre-made works, does custom work, sells kits and provides workshops in person and virtually. What I love about her is she doesn’t just do just the “boho-chic” type of macrame in one color. There’s nothing wrong with that, but it’s refreshing to see a different perspective with her use of color and what is termed “macra-weaving” which means mixing weaving techniques with macrame. I also love that she uses branches as her dowel. I’ve been gathering branches to start my own macrame journey one day.
This piece has so many levels to it and it has my favorite “found object” stick as the dowel. So great.
This macra-weave wall hanging combines both weaving and macrame to create something one of a kind.
https://shoutoutatlanta.com/meet-alexis-rainey-artist-owner-atl-macrame-co/
Millinery
The art of hat making dates back centuries, with evidence of hat wearing found in ancient civilizations such as Egypt and Greece. However, millinery as a craft flourished in Europe during the Middle Ages when elaborate headwear became fashionable among the aristocracy and clergy. In the 18th and 19th centuries, millinery became a highly skilled profession, with milliners creating intricate designs using a variety of materials such as silk, feathers, and flowers. Today, millinery remains a niche craft practiced by artisans who design and create hats for fashion, special occasions, and theatrical productions
Teressa Foglia
Teressa Foglia | @teressafoglia
Teresaa opened her first shop in NYC in 2017. Now she has shops in Malibu, Laguna Beach and Houston. She is a modern milliner who took a hat making course in Europe for fun and fell in love with it. She has ready to wear on her website and in her stores, but she loves to create custom, uniquely handmade hats with her clients. Sourcing trims from all around the world, Teressa lines each hat with vintage silk, is a big proponent of sustainability and wants your hat to last forever. Her story is one of many women; being burnt out in their corporate job and looking for meaningful passion in their work.
One of her fabulous straw hats with a feather and vintage ribbon.
Green velour makes this hat fantastic since green is my favorite color.
https://teressafoglia.com/products/verde?variant=39830393618515
Upholstery
Upholstery, the art of covering furniture with fabric or leather, has its roots in ancient civilizations such as Egypt and Rome, where furniture was adorned with rich textiles and embellishments. However, upholstery as a specialized trade emerged during the Renaissance in Europe, coinciding with the popularity of padded furniture. Skilled craftsmen known as upholsterers mastered techniques such as padding, stitching, and tufting to create luxurious and comfortable furnishings for the aristocracy. With the Industrial Revolution, upholstery shifted from being a handcrafted trade to a mass-produced industry, but there remains a demand for bespoke and artisanal upholstery work today.
Nicole Crowder
Nicole Crowder Upholstery | @nicolecrowder
I have been obsessed with Nicole Crowder for several years and I can’t get enough of her works of art. She has an uncanny knack for putting just the right fabrics, hardware and colors together and I’ve never seen upholstery like hers, ever. Based in Minneapolis, she’s been in the business for over ten years and advocates for sustainability by taking old pieces of furniture and reimagining them into works of art. She offers retreats/workshops a few times a year by popular demand and I’m definitely planning on going to one of them this year.
Hardware and different fabrics are her superpowers. Check out this fabulous loveseat.
This chair was one in eight chairs that were upholstered in a different style and fabric. You can see the series on her website, but this is one of my favorites.
https://www.nicolecrowderupholstery.com/gallery-5-1
Metalsmithing
Metalsmithing is one of the oldest crafts, dating back to ancient civilizations such as Mesopotamia, Egypt, and China. Early metalsmiths worked with copper, bronze, and gold to create jewelry, tools, and ceremonial objects. The craft evolved over time with advancements in metallurgy and technology, leading to the development of techniques such as forging, casting, and soldering. Metalsmithing became a respected profession during the Renaissance, with guilds established to regulate the trade. Today, metalsmiths continue to create a wide range of objects, including jewelry, sculptures, and functional items, using traditional and contemporary methods.
Jessi Lewis
Ruby and Revolver | @rubyandrevolver
Jess believes in slow work, one of a kind pieces and traditional skills. I love her because nothing is perfect; it’s rugged and raw which is totally up my alley. Living and working in rural Montana, her surroundings inform her creations. She works with reclaimed metals and American mined stones like turquoise, agate and opals among others.Her father was a welder and introduced her to metal work when she was a young girl. The revolver part of her company name comes from her father also being a gunsmith. She’s self-taught and for over fifteen years she’s honed her craft totally by trial and error.
Because she’s a one woman show, she’s not taking on any custom work at the moment but there’s plenty of beautiful ready to order items on her website. You have to wait on her scheduled restocks, which is once or twice a month. If you’re patient, I promise you it’s worth it.
Turquoise is one of my favorite stones and I love big, chunky rings.
These silver chokers come in several different stones.
Knitting
Knitting has ancient origins, with early examples of knitted textiles dating back to the Middle Ages in Europe and the Middle East. Initially, knitting was primarily a practical skill used to create warm clothing and accessories. However, it evolved into an art form with the development of more intricate patterns and techniques. The Industrial Revolution brought mechanized knitting machines, leading to mass production of knitted goods. Despite this, hand knitting persisted as a beloved pastime and creative outlet for individuals around the world.
Nanna Burmeister
Deima Knitwear | @deima_knitwear
Deima Knitwear was founded by Nanna Burmeister in 2017. Born in Denmark, she has been sewing and knitting since childhood and is a huge proponent of slow fashion, meaning that you take your time and really get into the craftsmanship of your products. She wants her products to last for years so she sources the best quality yarn. Each of the custom items in her shop take 35+ hours to make and I’m not mad at that. It shows that she’s invested in the quality of her work. Deima also has items that are ready to ship and sells patterns. Nanna’s mother taught her how to knit. She started selling on Instagram and now has her own website. I haven’t knit in years, but I still have all of my needles that I received from my mother and my aunt. Now that I think about it, I do miss the clicking of the needles.
https://www.alt.dk/mode/nanna-burmeister-deima-knitwear
Knit shorts in lime green. How come I didn’t know I needed these?
Nanna sells many patterns like this scarf pattern. So cute.
Woodworking
Woodworking is one of the oldest and most fundamental crafts, with evidence of woodworking dating back to prehistoric times when early humans used wood to make tools, shelter, and art. Woodworking thrived in ancient civilizations such as China, Egypt, and Greece, where artisans crafted intricate furniture, sculptures, and architectural elements. During the Middle Ages, woodworking guilds were established to regulate the trade and ensure quality craftsmanship. With the advent of industrialization, woodworking saw significant changes as power tools and machinery replaced hand tools, leading to mass production of wooden goods. However, there has been a resurgence of interest in traditional woodworking techniques and craftsmanship in recent years, with artisans creating bespoke furniture and decorative objects.
Sophie Sellu
Grain and Knot | @grainandknot
Residing in London, Sophie Sellu worked as an interior designer and fashion forecaster but was not fulfilled creatively. In 2013, she took a woodworking course in Sussex and found herself rushing home to carve spoons. After being laid off twice, she took the plunge and tried to see if she could make it as an entrepreneur. Grain and Knot was born and a love of nature and tradition makes woodworking her passion. The majority of the wood she uses is reclaimed from old properties like broken furniture and logs but she also works with tree surgeons who cut trees down. She has workshops that speak to the resurgence of working in traditional crafts. Since she’s still the only employee, she works in highly anticipated “seasonal drops” and people rush to her website to buy her wares.
She does the traditional spoons and boards, but she also has many more items on her website.
I call these pie cutters, but whatever you use them for, they are works or art.
The resurgence of these artisanal skills during the pandemic reflects a broader trend towards reconnecting with traditional crafts and hands-on activities that continues to this day. As people found themselves spending more time at home due to lockdowns and social distancing measures, many turned to crafting as a means of relaxation, creativity, and productivity. The pandemic served as a catalyst for rediscovering the satisfaction of working with one’s hands and the therapeutic benefits of engaging in tactile and tangible pursuits.
Additionally, the resurgence of interest in artisanal skills highlights a growing appreciation for handmade, locally sourced, and sustainable goods, as well as a desire to support independent artisans and small businesses amidst economic uncertainty. I’m so glad that these traditional crafts have made a comeback and that women are leading the charge in turning them into art.
Are you a crafter, artisan or maker? Let me know in the comments how you got started and stay tuned for Part 2.
See ya next time.
0 Comments