Handcrafted Homewares: What Does That Phrase Mean?
Before we get into the “handcrafted homewares” part, here’s a question that I think about frequently (having been a musician in a previous incarnation) to get you into the right frame of thought. For you, at what point does a band stop being that band, if members quit, get fired or pass away (irrespective of whether they get replaced with new members)? Consider this for a moment before continuing.
Is it only if a certain band member (or members) are no longer performing in the lineup, or does it come down to percentages? Let’s use the mighty Van Halen as an example. The original (well known) lineup was Eddie Van Halen, David Lee Roth, Michael Anthony and Alex Van Halen. When DLR left and they got Sammy Hagar in on vocals, it was still (for me) Van Halen. Even when Hagar left and they got Gary Cherone in (from the band Extreme), it was still Van Halen.
The only time I would consider the band wouldn’t have been Van Halen, is if it was any lineup, but without Eddie. He was (essentially) Van Halen.
A Handcrafted Definition
I suppose this is a variation on the old “Ship Of Theseus” thought experiment and you’re probably wondering what the bloody hell any of this has got to do with handcrafted homewares? Well, bear with me and allow me to explain.
When I was in the planning stages for this website, I was struggling to come up with a term that best described the creations I make. I asked myself; are they handmade? Which got me thinking about what exactly the definition of “handmade” really is and how does it differ from the term; “handcrafted”?
Handmade
The Collins Dictionary online definition of “handmade” is: (hændmeɪd) also hand-made adjective; …[items] made by someone using their hands or using tools rather than by machines.
Reading between the lines, I take the above definition to mean any crafting activity that creates items using your hands, but includes the use of hand tools. Yet, excludes the use of powered tools (mains and/or battery) as implied by the “machines” part of the definition.
Handcrafted
The Collins Dictionary online definition of “handcrafted” is: (ˈhændˌkrɑːftɪd) adjective; made by handicraft. Which is no twattin’ help, whatsoever!
So, looking up the definition of “handicraft” you get; (hændikræft) countable noun [usu pl]; …activities such as embroidery and pottery which involve making things with your hands in a skillful way.
Pretty similar, but there’s no mention of tools. Again, reading between the lines, I would suggest that the use of hand tools is implied. As you need to use a needle for the abovementioned embroidery, ‘cus you can’t bloody well force the thread through material with just your fingers! I should know, as I used to hand embroider denim jackets for people when I was in my late teens/early 20s.
I would also suggest that the use of powered hand tools should also be included. Which is why I ultimately settled for “Handcrafted Homewares Sheffield” for the SEO on this website’s homepage.
When Are Handcrafted Homewares Not Handcrafted Homewares?
With all that preamble out of the way, we can finally get to the crux of the matter; the reason for the subject of this blog. At what point in the process of making something does the term “handcrafted” no longer apply?
With the advent of “affordable” laser engravers/cutters for DIY and crafting, there now appears to be a slew of items for sale on websites like Etsy, for example, that are obviously made on these devices, yet are still listed as “Handcrafted Items”.
As an example; a crafter I follow on Instagram (click here for my Insta page) used to make wooden signs by using a pyrography machine and hand burning text and images onto the wood. Which, to me, fits exactly with the definition of “handcrafted”, as the pyrography machine is powered. Recently, though, they’ve purchased a laser engraver and their larger signs are now created using this device.
How is that still “handcrafted”? When the use of said laser engraver (as with all CNC devices now available for home crafters and makers) is pretty much hands off. Download an image or clip-art from the internet, add it into the devices’ design software, place your material into the machine and press ‘GO’!
My Handcrafted Homewares Crisis
Now, having said all that, I do use a Silhouette Cameo 4 (#NotSponsored) vinyl cutter in the creation of some of my homewares. I mainly use it for cutting out numerals and/or pictograms for the range of wall clocks I create. I’ve also used it for producing stencils and lettering for signs. Are these items created using this tool now not classed as “handcrafted”?
For the clocks, I’ve done all the Pallett Breaking by hand, along with the prep of the boards. I’ve glued them up and clamped them together. Once dried, I’ve cut out the circles with a jigsaw and shaped them with a router. I’ve burnt the wood with a hand-held propane torch, I’ve brushed off the char using a drill, with a nylon filament brush attached, I’ve applied a stain and varnish with a brush. In every single step I’ve used my hands.
The penultimate step (before finally attaching the movement and hands to the clock face) is adding the numerals/pictograms, by hand. Does the fact that I’ve created said numerals/pictograms with a vinyl cutter and not with a craft knife, negate all that I’ve done with my hands? Enough to mean that my clocks are no longer deemed to be “handcrafted”? I don’t think it does.
Playing The Percentages
As I mentioned right back in the second paragraph of this blog, does it all just come down to percentages then? If so, how much of the crafting process can acceptably be automated, before the created item (or items) can no longer be considered to be “handcrafted”? 20%? As much as 49%? How would you even calculate it?
Unfortunately, I don’t have all the answers. I know this might seem like an unfulfilling conclusion to this blog. But, if it’s made you stop and think when you next pick up a laser cut/laser engraved key fob, then it’s definitely served its purpose.
I do try to impart and share information in my blogs, which I feel is true to the original intention of today’s Broken Internet (click to read). But, sometimes, I just have to get the thoughts that I have out of my head. Hope you don’t mind.
Cheers,
C…
Further Reading And Footnotes
For more information about me and all that is Silverhand Creative, go check out the About Me page on this website. I have a presence on Instagram and Facebook, where I post photos (and the odd video) of ongoing and finished projects. There’s also a YouTube channel, where you can see how I go about doing what I do and what tools I prefer to use. So, feel free (there’s no pressure) to follow and/or subscribe to any (or all) of the above.
I am most definitely amenable to commission work and have a web form for you to get in touch, should you be looking for something a little more custom.
All trademarks (registered or otherwise) used in this blog lie solely with their respective owners.