In the late 19th century a design reform and social movement “The Arts and Crafts movement” was coined. These activities are called crafts because originally many of them were professions under the guild system. The Industrial Revolution and the increasing mechanisation of production processes gradually reduced or eliminated many of the roles professional craftspeople played, and today ‘crafts’ are most commonly seen as a form of hobby or art. They look hard but they are actually an easy craft project to make.

Some crafts have been practised for centuries, while others are modern inventions, or popularisations of crafts which were originally practised in a very small geographic area. These activities are called crafts because originally many of them were professions under the guild system. Most crafts require a combination of skill, speed, and patience, but they can also be learnt on a more basic level by virtually anyone.

Anything that uses a needle for construction can be called needlework. Needlework is a term applied to two classes of handcraft involving fabrics. Embroidery was being done long before its name was derived, by way of medieval French from the Anglo-Saxon word for “edge. The first, embroidery, is the embellishment of a fabric by designs worked in thread with a needle. Some embroidery techniques produce a basically flat surface; others produce designs in relief.

Antique crochet has enormous character which is displayed in various forms and styles and so antique patterns are sought after by those looking to recreate classic items from a past era. Fortunately there were a lot of books, magazines and patterns published between 1850 and 1950 that have preserved the diversity of crochet creations that represent the peak period of this craft.

Tapestry art was even thought to have covered the walls of the Parthenon. Tapestry crochet is relatively easy and inexpensive; a perfect vehicle to the introduction of fiber art. Tapestry crochet is the art of crocheting with different colored strands of yarn while carrying the yarn, produces woven-like results. Fine Art Great works of art are sometimes reproduced as wall tapestries. These beautiful tapestries have a distinct and extraordinary quality.

Have you ever wondered what Tatting was? Tatting is a form of lace making made up of knots, which are done over a carrier thread. Tatting is a type of knotted lace. Tatting is made up of knotted rings and chains. Two shuttles are used in tatting when the little rings are not to be connected together at the bottom by a thread, when you want to hide the passage of the thread to another group of knots and when threads of several colours are used. Today antique tatting shuttles are highly collectible, as are old patterns and bits of lace.

Modern glass art has become well known and respected in its own right as an artform. Although Seattle has become an area which has gained a high reputation for the art and has a great many top glass artists resident, Murano in Italy will probably always been know as its home. Glass blowing was originally developed by the Romans and the years of expertise that the Venetians have dedicated to the art are still held in high regard and have provided a strong foundation for young artists to build on.

Working with glass as a medium is not restricted entirely to glass blowing. Although this is perhaps the best known of the modern glass art disciplines there are others which must be considered. Stained glass is a very old artform, one which I am sure you have seen in many church windows. However, it has taken on an altogether different and much more modern character now and can often be seen used for light shades, house windows and some purely decorative pieces. Glass casting is now being used in art as is fusing and lampworking. Some of the most stunning and visually attractive pieces are, however, usually the work of the glass blowing artists. These seem to be getting more and more intricate and complex and the depth of colour more intense.

With the medium of glass being so open to individual interpretation, you cannot possibly pigeon hole the artists or their artforms. Some will favour glass blowing and some of these will specialise in pure and unblemished perfection. Others will opt for a more quirky approach which will result in colourful, avant garde pieces. Modern glass art will never stand still and become mundane as there is always someone around the corner who will come up with a new idea or a different slant on an old idea.

Some pieces of this wonderful art are currently selling for thousands of dollars. If you bear in mind the fact that glass is, by its very nature, sometimes easily damaged, you would be brave to consider spending this amount of money. The beauty and wonderful mystical quality of a piece is easily ruined if the children decide to practice soccer in the living room. Modern glass art is definitely for the grown-ups.