Lost arts and
why they matter
How do we
value a gift of a handcrafted item? Painting, woodworking, woven, knitted; the
list is extremely long. How do these things make us feel? Do we feel
differently if we ourselves have tried the particular craft in the past? How
well can we understand objects or material things when what we know comes only
through writings or pictures?
How can we
appreciate people’s relationships to objects in the past when those objects
have not survived, or even when they have and we know little or nothing about
what it takes to create those things? What can be gained in having direct
“hands-on” knowledge of made objects?
And really, what
do I mean? Well by example: I took wood shop in Junior-high (yes, and I was not
the only girl to do so.) I made a note board thingy and a chess board. I didn’t
really enjoy it. But I learned how to use all the power tools- table saw,
jigsaw, planer, etc. What did I learn? Woodworking was NOT my thing, but it did
make me appreciate all the more handmade gifts made of wood. It made me
understand why someone would keep a handmade item that may seem insignificant.
There is something beyond the physical that is transferred with the gift.
It is my personal
observation that emotions can be expressed through objects in unique ways that
cannot be captured by language. A connectedness to the past ensues for me that
I do not possess the language skills to impart to others. I have not seen
anyone else that has either. A feeling of serenest come to me as I craft
something for someone; whether a quilt for a new baby, or a prayer shawl or
blanket for someone fighting for their life or nearing there exit from this
plane.
I cannot possibly
go through all of the handcrafts there are, but these are the ones I find the
most connectedness to the past with, and the most resonance towards the future.
Quilting/tapestries
The art of
quilting goes back to Ancient Egypt and the Middle Ages. Quilted clothing was
used for light armor, and eventually under heavy metal armor as padding from
the armor and the blows it received.
Quilted
bedding was used for warmth and comfort. Tapestries were used to cover drafty
castle walls and provide some color in to the dank castle interior. Some people
still hang quilts and tapestries for this purpose.
This is a
quilt that is attached (with Velcro so I can change it) to my front door. It
provides insulation from the cold and sound beyond what the door provides.
Wall quilts over
the fireplace change to suit the season or my moodJ
Net making
I wish I had
all of these net making tools-being able to make your own netting is useful.
While I do not use nets to fish---Netted bags make good grocery and beach bags.
Do you know
what a lucet is?
A lucet is a tool used in cordmaking/ braiding.
This tool is believed to date back to the Viking and Medieval periods. It can
be used to create cords that are used on clothing, or to hang items from the
belt. Lucet cord is
square, strong, and slightly springy.
You can also have a double lucet- it creates
a thicker, sturdy, can be two-color cord. It
is essentially working two single
lucets slotted together perpendicularly.
A lucet
is pretty much a staple need if you do any Renaissance fairs or such to get
period looking, hand made cord.
Crochet, knitting, tatting, Embroideries
of all sorts-as I said earlier—the list is pretty big. Give something a try-you never know what you may fall in love with
