by Gail Dennehy

Created on: August 22, 2009

In my closet, I have boxes of beads. I have true amethyst, shell, and wood beads. I have bundles of nylon cord, velvet bands, and silver links. I buy them for the pretty colors and shapes and, sometimes, I even work with them. I've spent the last three hours carefully beading bracelets for my card group friends. Nothing particularly original, they are simple stretch bracelets in blue and silver. I'm not an artist, but I love to craft. In my case, jewelry making is a hobby, a craft.

Stores like Michael's and Joann's cater to the large body of craftspeople who, like me, work diligently to create beautiful beaded work. You can't say that we are artists, most of us aren't. We craft. We study and read books and take classes and use designs created by others. The product we create is usually intended as gifts for friends or, possibly, might be sold on a website such as Ebay or Etsy, one among many similar pieces.

But, jewelry can be either a craft or an art for, once in a great while, someone will pick up pair of pliers and make something so out of the ordinary that it has to be considered art.

It doesn't matter what quality of material is used. The finest diamond placed in a plain setting isn't art. But, during the heyday of costume jewelry, brass filigree and beads were used to create wonderful pieces that stand as collectible art to this day.

The finer creations of DeLizza and Elster, or Marian Haskell, surely have been judged as great. As have many lovely antique pieces. The people in the shops that created this work dedicated their lives to making lovely things.

Is it the artist's dedication that raises a piece above craft work? Perhaps originality is the key? Is it skill? Or is it a combination of all of the above: skill, originality, and dedication? All are necessary, but I believe that the thing that probably raises a lovely piece of craft to the level of art is that thing called inspiration. There is a moment of genius that flashes in true art. Even in Frank DeLizza's workshop, among all the lovely pieces of award winning jewelry, there were durable, practical belts hanging.

So, is jewelry making a craft or an art? Craft definitely, with just the occasional bright star glowing that is called art.

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