by Katheryn Donica

Created on: October 02, 2009

I make jewelry, mostly beaded. I have enjoyed this craft for about a year and a half. I am mostly self taught. Is it an art? I suppose some would suggest that it is. I know many people who, upon taking up a hobby like jewelry making, are naturally good at it. I am not one of those people. I literally had to practice to become as good as I am, which is quite frankly, still mediocre in comparison to many others. My thoughts on jewelry making, however are that it is, indeed, a craft.

This is a difficult choice to make: art verses craft as far as jewelry making goes. The reason I choose craft, is because time and practice and even apprenticeship can make better and better pieces. In other words, the more I make, the better they look. The stronger and more beautiful my pieces become, thus the more I am inclined to think that even a not so artsy person like myself can improve on the quality of the jewelry I am making.

I love to make things. I can crochet just a little bit better than making a piece of jewelry, because I have practiced so much longer. I am much more proud of the doilies and blankets I make. I tend to 'lose it if I don't use it', however. This seems to apply to most of the things I am doing in the field of arts and crafts.

In fact, the more I think about the terms arts or crafts, the more confusing the two words become. I decided to see what an online dictionary, at thefreedictionary.com, had to say about the two terms. Unfortunately, it becomes a little blurred.

Arts is defined as follows:

"A trade or craft that applies such a system of principles and methods." This is one of several ways to describe what the arts are. I specifically chose this definition to make a point. Now let's see what crafts are defined as.

Crafts are defined thusly:

"1. . Skill in doing or making something, as in the arts; proficiency. See Synonyms at art1."

Well then. What is a person to do with such definitions? I will try to give one more try here, because this definition, also of a craft, helps me know that my instincts may be more correct.

Another definition of crafts is here:

1. To make by hand.

Let me see, then. To make by hand. That about sums up for me what it is that I do. I also like to make jewelry with the idea that am going to sell it to anyone that thinks I make pieces that are pretty enough to buy. Again, I go back to the same dictionary.

a. An occupation or trade requiring manual dexterity or skilled artistry.

I have only sold a few of my pieces, but because of my perseverance in the 'craft', I was able to get a modest price for them. I am considering making a lot more pieces so that I can sell them at a flea market or perhaps an arts and crafts show. I am beginning to think that my time and effort are going to really pay off.

Wish me luck in my endeavor to sell my craft. I hope that others use their hands to make things, especially those inclined in the arts. Or is it crafts?

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