( define )

January 13, 2011

gathered from mint


i've been thinking lately about the word craft

its old, slightly shambly connotations
of "arts & crafts" and macrame and lanyards and, and, and.
it was craft without design
and left us without any appreciation for work or skill.

but there's an older definition
most often used as a verb

to make an object with skill and particular attention to detail

this definition calls to mind a person who has dedicated their life
to perfecting a skill, to working with a material
to knowing how on a deeper level

it seems that today, we're afraid to define ourselves as a crafter
fearing the association with the first definition.

but today's craft
is circling back to the verb...
and all the skill, the knowledge, and the expertise it carries with it.

we craft. we are craftsmen.
we are the dreamers of dreams
and makers of beautiful things.

it's something to think about.



4 notes:

  1. This post is so well worded and is exactly how I've been feeling lately. Circling back to the verb, especially. I think that is really important for us as a tribe to do now. To circle back to the life-long pursuit and the quality of craft. Lovely.

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  2. thank you so much, that means a lot to me.

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  3. http://georgepratt.wordpress.com/2011/01/12/craftsmanship/

    You should read this. I think you would like it a lot.

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  4. @szitta, that was beautiful. thank you so much for sharing!

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