Measuring by Eye
Precision is more than a relative concept. One is not ‘sort of’ precise in furniture-making. Precision involves an attitude about the work; standards for making; and, in fact, a way of seeing the world. There are various metrics for what precision means. For a welder, being short by 1/32″ just means making a slightly wider…
The Puzzling Craft of Dissectology
Our contributing editor digs into the fascinating, unusually detailed world of handcrafted jigsaw puzzles—and the little-known word for their devotees.
Looking for an AI-Proof Career? The Trades are a Smart Choice.
While AI proceeds to decimate career paths, take heart: Not all jobs are at risk. Educators, and many others, are seeing the hands-on trades as skilled, high-paying careers that robots can’t replace.
Black Artists Are Reshaping How We Think About American Ceramics
Contemporary Black ceramicists are continuing a long legacy of Black Americans working in clay. As they find new ways to tell their stories, the art world is finally catching up.
“Tear Out Your Lawn,” with Dr. Doug Tallamy
Why is entomologist Doug Tallamy on a national crusade to get private landowners to tear their lawns? As a wildlife ecology professor at the University of Delaware, Dr. Tallamy sees the world from a bug’s point of view. He’s also co-founder of Homegrown National Park, which works to convince Americans to grow native plants that…
Calligraphy’s Magicians
Inside the quiet world of calligraphy, a robust subculture keeps the ancient craft alive by continuously evolving, blending tradition with innovation in unexpected ways.
My Father’s Mallet
After graduating college, I finally got up the nerve to quit trying to be what everyone else wanted me to be: priest, professor, or professional. My Lit major brain was tired from working up essays on nothingness. Working with my hands, now this was real stuff… My father had done some woodworking once, so I…
The Artisan’s Paradox
It’s a curious truth: In a world dominated by mass production, the finest handmade goods often cost less than their factory-made counterparts.
My First Design
Gary Rogowski, a master woodworker and furniture designer (and longtime Craftsmanship collaborator) reflects on how his first handmade bench came into being.
