Studies & Degrees in Arts and Crafts

Choose where you would like to study Arts and Crafts:

Arts and crafts involve creating things using one’s own hands, artistry and skills. Some arts and crafts require a combination of time and expertise, as in the case of traditional ones. Traditional arts and crafts are usually handed down from generations to generations, as part of ensuring that certain customs are kept alive through the passing of time. There are, on the other hand, Arts and Crafts spawned by modern technology, with the production of durable and cheap raw materials, often providing for a more contemporary appeal.

Occurring in the last few years of the 19th century, Arts and Crafts first began as a movement. The movement aimed to bring back genuine and meaningful designs in handicrafts during the Industrial Revolution. The proponents of the movement believed in the importance and pleasure of creating artistic things by hand, and went against machine-assisted mass production.

Basic Arts and Crafts are usually taught in many community centers, oftentimes as local livelihood projects. In such cases, volunteers are provided with modules and hours, or even days, of training under the wing of a skilled arts and crafts maker. Those attending such workshops are also given lessons on effective marketing strategies for profitability of their learned livelihood. There are also schools making Arts and Crafts part of the students’ curriculum.

Training for Arts and Crafts serves many functions. As earlier mentioned, one is for a potentially good source of income. A housewife or any one who does not mind self employment may try his or her hands at making arts and crafts, starting out with a small number of items that can be produced right at home. For some people, Arts and Crafts provide a great outlet in making use of their creativity, as well an effective means of distressing after a long, tiring day at work or looking after the kids.

Basically, Arts and Crafts may be sorted according to the materials used, as well as their functions. For instance, there are arts and crafts involving fabric as the main component in their creation. Cross-stitching, embroidery, knitting, needlepoint, quilting, tapestry making, weaving, shirt designing and others are examples of arts and crafts using fabric.

Art and Crafts involving the use of paper or canvas include bookbinding, collage making, greeting card making, paper texturing or marbling, rubber stamping, découpaging and scrap booking. There are also traditional ones popular all over the world such as origami, papier-mâché, calligraphy, teabag folding and many others. Metal and precious stones are used in jewelry making, although clay, glass and plastic materials may also be used, as in plastic or beaded jewelry items.

Plant materials are used for basket weaving, flower arrangement, and pressed flowers. Others are initiated by the fabrication of newer materials used such as in balloon making, glass staining or polymer clay sculpturing. Some Arts and Crafts make for great decorations such as picture frames, rugs and glass sculptures, while others make for functional items, such as photo albums, jewelry boxes and organizers.