Modern folks are used to living with disposable, mass-produced things that are easily obtained and easily replaced. However, in the old days, things were painstakingly made and passed down from one generation to the next. Vintage crafts echo those far-off days, and later generation can learn the skills or collect authentic examples of handiwork.
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.
People needed tables and chairs for their houses, linens for their beds, clothes and shoes to wear, and tools for both indoors and out. The only way for many to get items of this nature was to make them. However, that alone does not explain the turned legs and spindles of chairs, the pretty borders on sheets and pillowcases, the trim and flounces on the dresses, or the perfect symmetry and graceful curves of many an old farm implement.
Think of all the utilitarian things that people made into objects of beauty: baskets, pottery, lifelike duck decoys, eating utensils, drinking glasses, hooked or woven rugs, and stained-glass windows, to name just a few. Other household items that did not have to be improved but were include soap, candles, pot pourri and sachets, chair cushions and sofa pillows, and tablecloths.
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.
Even more exciting is the fact that anyone can learn most of the old techniques. Community colleges offer classes in pottery making, quilting, knitting and crocheting, and restoration. Shops and clubs offer lessons and mentoring. Reenactors blow glass, cast silver, make candles, and bind books in places like Colonial Williamsburg.
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.
People needed tables and chairs for their houses, linens for their beds, clothes and shoes to wear, and tools for both indoors and out. The only way for many to get items of this nature was to make them. However, that alone does not explain the turned legs and spindles of chairs, the pretty borders on sheets and pillowcases, the trim and flounces on the dresses, or the perfect symmetry and graceful curves of many an old farm implement.
Think of all the utilitarian things that people made into objects of beauty: baskets, pottery, lifelike duck decoys, eating utensils, drinking glasses, hooked or woven rugs, and stained-glass windows, to name just a few. Other household items that did not have to be improved but were include soap, candles, pot pourri and sachets, chair cushions and sofa pillows, and tablecloths.
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.
Even more exciting is the fact that anyone can learn most of the old techniques. Community colleges offer classes in pottery making, quilting, knitting and crocheting, and restoration. Shops and clubs offer lessons and mentoring. Reenactors blow glass, cast silver, make candles, and bind books in places like Colonial Williamsburg.
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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