Gift Ideas

Wooden gifts represent a golden opportunity for people looking for a special item to give to someone, be it at christmas or birthdays, weddings, etc. There are many different types of items which make fantastic gifts from wood.

We specialize in finding great pieces of art and promote quality workmanship in all its forms. There are many other wooden arts we can assist with so don't be afraid to ask if you have any questions.

A Brief History of Crafts

When we talk about arts and crafts we often recall primary school where when we made log cabins out of lollypop sticks. But the word craft can actually be traced all the way back to the European Middle Ages. Later, in post industrial societies, arts and crafts experienced a Renaissance of sorts when social thinkers like John Ruskin extolled the virtues of creative activities as simple hobbies.

Before that time, of course, crafts were professions rather than vocations. In fact, most of these basic activities were part of the guild system. This was a system where young people served as apprentices under master-craftsmen while they perfected the skills they would need to ply their future trade.

After the training, a new master-craftsman could set up shop for himself and begin charging members of his community for his products or services. The process continued for generations before the Industrial revolution abruptly eliminated the need for many trained craftsmen. That is why most crafts are commonly considered a hobby these days. However, there are still businesses that employ craftsmen to construct specialty items like Pandora charm bracelets .

What are the most common crafts? More often than not a craft is defined by the material that is used, and the more common the material the more popular the craft. For example, woodworking is one of the oldest and most revered crafts.

Of course, the term craft, which is short for handicraft, can also be used for the actual product or work of art that is produced. In fact, it is often quite difficult to differentiate between a craft and a work of art. In the end, it is probably best to let the artist or craftsman label his own work.