Traditional vs. "New"

TRADITIONAL VS NEW:
This concerns all handcrafted items including Painting, Needle Arts, Woodworking, Metal Work, Paper Arts, Beading, Jewelry Making, etc.

There are many publications on the market and TV shows that give instructions on handcrafted items with new ways of doing things that might be quicker or easier than the traditional methods, but do they show REAL artistic talent? Well, some do and some don’t.
Examples:
1. Detailed hand painting that took a lot of time and effort and artistic talent by the artist vs.
a quick stamped-on design.
2. A hand knit sweater with a unique design (very time consuming) vs. a machine knit sweater or item that is quick and easy and common.
3. Beautiful hand crocheted lace with tiny thread (also time consuming) vs. an item of large loops and large thread made quickly and easily.
4. Detailed hand embroidery on quality fabric vs. a few X stitches that a kindergartner could do.
5. A hand carved item that took hours or even days or weeks to complete and is possibly a one of a kind creation vs. a machine made mass produced item available to everyone.
These are just a few examples of the items that we have come to accept as members of the new “want it now” society.

Quick and easy is the accepted method.
What happened to the traditional artistic talent of the past ?
Is it lost forever in a sea of mass produced items?
What happened to the appreciation of the time and effort and talent needed to create a beautiful work of art?
What happened to the term “family heirloom” ? It is lost from our vocabulary.
I have some Family Heirlooms that were hand made by my grandmother and great-grandmother and I CHERISH them. But will my children also cherish them? I doubt it.

Is your home filled with mass produced items and “throw away” items that have no meaning other than decoration?
I think it is time to revive the traditional methods and support those who take the time and effort to create a masterpiece of their artistic talent.
If you are interested in handcrafting and would like to join our handcrafter’s group, we can be found helping others and discussing crafts at: http://thehandcrafterscottage.ning.com
Or contact me at : SherAhnn@aol.com

The History Of Crochet

I have a full 3 page article on the History Of Crochet. If anyone is interested in this article,
please e-mail me at : SherAhnn@aol.com for a Free Copy. Please put History Of Crochet in the subject line so we will not delete your mail as spam.
Also, we can e-mail a copy OR mail by first class mail to your Post Office mailing address.
I hope you enjoy this informative article taken from a very old book that is no longer in print and the copyright has expired.

Sher