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Rare Sheep, Rich Yarns

Shepherds, small mills, and local yarn shops are working together to secure a more sustainable fiber economy—and to meet the growing demand for heritage sheep products.

by ERIKA ZAMBELLO

Two people outdoors bottle-feed two lambs on a farm. One person kneels to feed a black lamb, while the other stands, feeding a white lamb. Bare trees and a fence are visible in the background.Field Notes icon

Fighting ‘Fast Furniture’ Waste, One Reupholstered Sofa at a Time

Yes, professional upholsterers are still out there—reviving old armchairs, preserving a time-honored craft, and keeping many tons of furniture out of landfills every year.

by PAULINE BARTOLONE

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The Espadrille: Spain’s Beloved, Timeless Shoe

The long march of espadrilles, from medieval Spanish peasantry to global shoe icon.

by JULIA SCHEERES

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Forged in the Desert: The Metalwork of Luis Avila Chavez

A third-generation metalworker makes the security gates and doors that guard Las Vegas's neighborhoods—and with the same steel, he explores themes of vice, labor, and life beyond the Strip.

by OONA ROBERTSON

A person wearing a welding helmet and gloves is welding metal pieces together on a workbench, with bright sparks visible. Workshop tools and equipment are visible in the background.Field Notes icon

The Giant Makers of Flanders

Handcrafted dragons, bears, miners, kings, and queens have 'loomed large' over festivals in the Flanders region for more than 200 years. Who's making these traditional giants today?

by ANNA RICHARDS

A street parade features a large female giant puppet in historical dress, surrounded by people in costumes. A musician plays a sousaphone, and crowds watch from the sides and nearby buildings. The scene is festive and lively.Field Notes icon

Explore the Magazine

The Craftsmanship Initiative is dedicated to reclaiming craftsmanship’s principles of excellence, beauty, and durability as a pathway to a more sustainable world. The flagship venture of the initiative, which operates as a non-profit, is Craftsmanship Magazine, a multimedia publication that focuses on master artisans and innovators whose work informs our quest.

A group of men, many wearing hats, gather on the steps of a brick building as a man in a suit and robe stands above them with arms raised, appearing to address or speak to the crowd.Field Notes icon

The Craft of a Sustainable Economy, Part 4

Will our elected leaders ever fight for economic equality?

by TODD OPPENHEIMER

A coal miner wearing overalls and a cap with a headlamp sits on a wooden beam, holding a small li object and looking to the side. The background includes industrial structures.Field Notes icon

The Craft of a Sustainable Economy, Part 3

Could employers in the U.S. afford to pay liveable wages?

by TODD OPPENHEIMER

Two people in suits stand by a large office window overlooking a city. One says, Thank goodness we live in the golden age of inequality The office is spacious with a large desk in the foreground.Field Notes icon

The Craft of a Sustainable Economy, Part 2

How did the wealth inequality that now plagues the U.S. get so bad?

by TODD OPPENHEIMER

A person wearing a blue hard hat and dark work clothes walks through a large, well-lit industrial warehouse with machinery and equipment visible in the background.Field Notes icon

The Craft of a Sustainable Economy, Part 1

Strip-mining human labor isn’t sustainable. The values of craftsmanship have much to teach us about ensuring fair wages and a more equitable tax system, and creating an economy that's built to last.

by TODD OPPENHEIMER

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