Posted by unregistered user at 8/8/07 4:25 a.m.

A great way to compare the idea of crafts between men and women would be to compare Craft magazine and Make magazine. A better example of crafts for guys would be when they get together to cut up some PVC and make marshmallow or potato guns.

The biggest difference is that most of the time, guys create alone. Part of it is that it is too difficult to lug the tools, supplies, etc. to work on something.
Also, we each have a specific way of doing something, and don't necessarily want someone offering their two bits on how to do it. There are exceptions, this spring I had a couple of guys come over, and we all built www.instructables.com/id/EIEP9AY8O4EXCFL
AVM/ for our daughters' American girls.

-WilyHacker

Posted by unregistered user at 8/8/07 7:42 a.m.

"Craft" in some circles is, I think, a dirty word. I could speculate that this is because it is usually associated with women, but I won't :-). Near my office is a museum which used to be called The American Craft Museum, but a year or two ago they changed it to The Museum of Arts and Design because "craft" was not highbrow enough. (Meanwhile, down the street, the American Folk Art Museum is still going strong.)

--Margaret

Posted by unregistered user at 8/8/07 7:55 a.m.

I believe the word you're looking for is "PROJECTS". Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to adjust myself, grab a beer (it's 5:00 somewhere) and retire to the garage to work on my PROJECTS.

bh

Posted by Tea and Bonbons at 8/8/07 8:23 a.m.

Well, they'd both definitely qualify as hobbies.

If I were to argue the point, I'd say that certain woodworkers/carpenters/car builders, etc., are real craftsmen. That'd get 'im. :-D

Posted by Christina Hyun at 8/8/07 9:12 a.m.

WilyHacker,
See, but I prefer making my "projects" alone too. And I don't care for most other people's opinions on improvements on my craftwork either.

I rarely get together with other girls to do my crafts. This bead club was very unsual for me. I think it's possible that you have gotten together with your friends to make the "projects" you did even more often than I have. ;)

Margaret,
I do think the word "crafts" has culturally female connotations in America, and that's why men recoil from it.

bh,
PROJECTS, eh? I call my crafts "projects" too. ;)

Amy,
Exactly. Those people are very skilled CRAFTSmen. I think the word "craft" gets a bad rap for no reason.

-bm

Posted by unregistered user at 8/8/07 9:18 a.m.

I think many men might question the "functionality" of anything having to do w/ beads (except, perhaps, an abacus). You can't drive around in what you've created using beads, nor eat dinner on something you've created w/ glitter, or let your child swing in your sequin creation.

Perhaps I just have a skewed view of "crafts" though. I hear "craft" and think "cheap, useless, tacky waste of time." To me, something like knitting or making (nice quality) jewelry isn't a "craft." A craft is those sloppily glued-together popsicle stick "sculptures" 6 year olds make at kindergarten. That sort of thing is cute...when a six year old makes it. If you're 37 and still working in the popsicle-stick medium, then I lose a bit of respect for you. :-)

If I had to guess, I'd imagine THAT was the reaction you were getting on Sunday. Very few car buffs I know utilize glitter glue. :-)

-ETG

Posted by JeriM at 8/8/07 12:09 p.m.

The other distinction that I see made is "craft" vs. "art". The difference is that a craft is an item of less intrinsic or unique value, and could be sold at a craft fair or bazaar. Art is considered to be somehow something more - worth more - and is sold at art galleries or shows.

The money issue? A craft fair price for an amber and silver necklace is in the $35-75 range. An art gallery price for one starts at $200 and can be as much as $2,000.

So when I'm sawing, hammering and soldering silver in my garage, I wonder - is it art I'm making, or a craft?

Jeri

Posted by unregistered user at 8/8/07 1:09 p.m.

Well, but I think quilting is definitely a craft--a very functional, very beautiful craft. It also happens to be art, but I don't think they're mutually exclusive.

But then again, I'd also call woodworking a craft. But maybe not cars--probably because you're not making a car, no matter how much you tinker with it or how rusty the orignal car was when you got it. You may have souped it up until it is unrecognizable, but the car itself? Was still, mostly, made in a factory by someone else, not you.

I think this is different from beading (whose parts are also made in a factory, not by you) because you can buy those beads and turn them into a necklace, earrings, or anything else. However, I think most car guys buy a car and make alterations; they don't buy individual nuts and bolts and build a car. They are not crafting anything: they're modifying it.

--Margaret

Posted by Christina Hyun at 8/8/07 5:44 p.m.

Interesting how people have different definitions of "craft".

Here's yet another angle:

I googled the word "crafts" just for fun, and one of the primary definitions that comes up: a skilled trade (ex: the craft of brewing beer - now what guy is going to argue that excellent beer brewing, the CRAFT of it, is non-functional or girly? ;).

However, I think the word has many different meanings to individuals and has morphed over time in our society. Just look at how people in skilled trades in general have been demeaned more in society as everyone's decided that the only route to "real" success is via higher education and "white collar" employment. If you are a highly skilled craftsperson in today's society, you are actually in dire demand and can make LOTS of money. There is a shortage of people who can do EXCELLENT work in skilled crafts - things like cabinetry, millwork, painting, masonry, glasswork, etc. I think the concept of "crafts" in general has been shoved lower on the values totem pole than is valid. Therefore, there are lots of people practicing "crafts" in a super sucky, poorly educated, mal-trained manner (just ask anyone who's had millwork done lately - ask how hard it was to find someone "good").

And of course, overall, "craft" covers a huge range of definitions and ideas today, yes everything from glittery popsicle-stick amateurism to the finest of quilts that sell for thousands of dollars. I think a number of today's "hobby" crafts were not hobbies in years past - they were a way of life - a necessity. I think most people generally think of most crafts today as "hobby-ish". Hence that NY crafts museum not doing so well. Craft is not elevated to "art", and skilled craftwork is not valued as much as other career paths or talents. Craft is just this other thing right now.

-bm