In Pipe Making and in Life, Grant Batson Takes His Time
After decades of building, achieving, and changing course, the Tennessee pipe maker is still finding new lessons in his craft—and passing them on to the next generation.
Listen to “A Man on an Unusual Mission: Bringing the Alphorn Back to France”
In a former silk weaver’s workshop in Lyon, a carpenter and trained musician is breathing new life into the alphorn—a traditional herder’s instrument that was on the brink of extinction in France.
How Cairo’s Kids Learn Geometry: With a Chisel
Inside a 250-year-old house in Cairo, patient teachers and traditional Islamic patterns offer students powerful lessons in craft, cultural knowledge—and math.
Inside Guédelon: The Artisans Building a 13th-Century Castle by Hand
For 30 years, a team of skilled artisans has been recreating a medieval castle in Central France—using only materials, tools, and techniques that were available in the 13th century.
“How to Make a Good Day”: Scott and Ene Constable on Crafting a Meaningful Life
For the team behind Wowhaus Studio, great public art isn’t just about design; it’s about creating purpose, meaning, and joy. They apply this philosophy in their daily lives, too—and so can you.
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.
Woodworking vs. Perfection
Wood entices us with its natural beauty, usefulness, and endless variety. Yet, perhaps more than any other raw material, it defies the artisan’s Sisyphean quest for perfection.
Chasing Powder, and Hand-Carving Wooden Skis in the French Alps
Peter Steltzner’s bespoke, handcrafted skis are coveted by freeride skiing enthusiasts. His path to crafting a living this way has also been something of a freeride….
What Science Says About Craft, Creativity, and Mental Health
For nearly 30 years, woodworking has provided Miles Boudreaux with purpose, connection, and a creative “fix.” Now, science is catching up to what he’s learned from experience.
