Putting art and soul into handmade plus a fab competition!
Craft: what does it mean to you? cut and stick as in paper and glue? beads and jewellry making? Or perhaps something more, something deeper, something that is inherited, its in your soul, in your genes, It may be something passed down to you from the generations that have gone before.
Craft to me is something made by hand that is not massed produced in a factory. When something is made by hand I believe it will contain a little part of your soul. I become passionate about it and I feel the need to shout about it from the rooftops.
[perfectpullquote align=”full” bordertop=”false” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]When something is made by hand I believe it will contain a little part of your soul. [/perfectpullquote]
The English Dictionary definition of Craft
In the English Dictionary the definition of Craft can be a noun, as in a skill: especially in relation to making objects ie. a job or activity that takes skill and experience, or something produced using skill and experience. Or it can be used as a verb: to make objects in a skilled way.
To me that sounds like the truest explanation of the meaning of the word craft ‘craft’
So what is a craftsman/craft-person? Ahh now that one is easier to answer. I believe it is someone with a passion for skill/craft that has been learned and that person so enjoys using their skill, they practice it every day and by doing so can enrich the lives of others. It becomes a way of life, rather than a hobby. The true craftsman/woman in my experience always starts young…
My Craft is Crochet:
We are a Family of Crafters. My craft, my passion is in yarn and the fabric, I crochet and sew. My craft has been passed down the generations by my female grandparents on both sides of our family. I feel it is in my soul. I have learnt it over many years of trial and error and I practice it almost every day.
Marc’s craft is restoration:
Marc my talented other half, is a craftsman. He restores old unloved, neglected rusty objects to bright and beautiful! A man of many skills, he learnt his craft of car restoration from his father. Marc’s father owned a classic car restoration and repair business in the 1970’s. Marc grew up with engines and metal and rust. Today it is his passion, he even has the original sign from this long gone company and plans to use it someday when he starts his own business. His latest restoration project is an old American ‘Cushman’ he is slowly breathing new life into it. He has many tales to tell of special cars he helped restore A Triumph TR7 an Aston martin DB5….
Marc also hand-makes many of the stunning objects in our home, benches, tables, mantel pieces, frames, but that is another story for another day. Everywhere I look I see his craft, he even made the ‘shepherds hooks’ in the garden that we hang out jam jar lights from!
My sons craft is steam engines:
My growing teenage son has these genes too. His great Grandfather, my darling Granddad was an engineer, he parts from scratch for the massive engines he built, so too were his sons. My son has a head full of steam engines and dreams of becoming an engineer. His design talent already takes my breath away. Luckily we live in Dorset home of the ‘Great Dorset steam Fair’ His passion is fueled once a year. He collects large, new and old Mamod engines that are all handmade. In the summer our garden turns into a mini Steam rally. He knows how to strip and rebuild them and looks after them like pets. days out with him are usually visits to heritage railway. I salute his passion and the future craftsman i know he will become. He has requested a ‘lathe’ for his Birthday!
As a family who enjoys our crafts in the truest sense of the word, we love this idea of making a series of six short films to celebrate craftsman in the UK.
The series of films, created in partnership with The Balvenie Whisky, follow Michel Roux Jr, the two-Michelin starred chef, as he travels the length and breadth of the British Isles to discover the true meaning of exceptional craftsmanship. During his travels he meets and profiles six ‘masters of craft’ within their respective fields; including a salmon smoker, a potter, one of the last remaining knife makers in the UK, a sparkling wine producer, an organic food producer and The Balvenie’s very own cooper. The series culminates in a mouth-watering three-course ‘Craftsmen’s Dinner’, in which Michel uses produce from each of the craftsmen he meets.
Knife-maker Will Ferraby:
This is the first film featuring Knife maker Will Ferraby. Will is one of the last remaining knife makers in England and the last remaining in Sheffield. I find that fact terribly sad, that his craft is one that is dying out. The film however is uplifting and awesomely inspiring, what a talent? Take a look….
Marc is impressed with that ‘work horse’ of a light in Wills workroom forge area…!
I am sure you will agree that Will is an exceptional craftsman, making a truly stunning handmade product. I love the word ‘dink marks’ and I think he looks lovely too?
You too can become involved in this celebration of craft. Enter this fabulous competition, and one lucky reader will win a meal for two at Le Gavroche in Mayfair!
(I have been there, and believe me it is an experience you will never forget)
UPDATE COMPETITION NOW CLOSED
Good luck and bestest crafting wishes to you and yours…
This is a collaborative post but I only agree to promote a campaign or a product if I would buy it myself. This one has my full admiration and Marc agrees too!