What old time crafts do you enjoy watching, making, would like to watch, like to
By writersedge
@writersedge (22563)
United States
July 26, 2009 10:47am CST
make, etc.?
Yesterday, we went to a crafts fair. We went years ago and there was a broom maker who demonstrated broom making. He wasn't there this year. We did see people making baskets. But I missed the old man who would start with broom corn and go through a bunch of steps to make a broom. I wondered if he was at another fair demonstrating, at home enjoying his life, in a nursing home, or not on the Earth any more. There were people doing beginner basketmaking for people to watch.
We went to an old homestead museum, the 1812 Homestead in Willsboro, NY afterward. My husband watched a demonstration of blacksmithing. He was sooo happy. We often go and miss the demonstration. During the week, weaving had been done, so I saw what the weavers had accomplished.
3 people like this
9 responses
@Canellita (12029)
• United States
30 Jul 09
Well, I like playing with paper so I guess paper beads counts. I have been experimenting with weaving projects with my students... (I have some crafting articles at helium if you're interested) I crochet also.
1 person likes this
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
1 Aug 09
I liked the why you should teach kids to sew. Very nice and very, very true.
1 person likes this
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
31 Jul 09
Paper beads, I did those back in the 60s. I have wanted to get back into it again. Do you have a link from your profile to Helium?
1 person likes this
@Canellita (12029)
• United States
31 Jul 09
Yes, I do. I think it takes you to the page that lists all of my published articles.
@OpinionatedLady (5965)
• United States
3 Aug 09
There was a woman at a local heritage festival here doing bobbin lace and I was completely blown away not only by her skill but what it took to do it. I may not have any idea on how to do it right now but hope to learn someday.
1 person likes this
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
4 Aug 09
That sounds sooo cool, I've never done or seen that, just a few finished products. Wonderful!
@GardenGerty (169448)
• United States
26 Jul 09
A couple of years ago I went to a harvest festival at our museum and I saw painted and decorated gourds. The lady said she just loved growing them so much her hubby said she had to do something with them, so now she decorates them.
1 person likes this
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
27 Jul 09
There is or was (been years since I got it when I was growing gourds) a gourd magazine with beautiful pictures of Santa Clauses, swans, bird houses, etc. made from gourds by a gourd association of some kind (like I said, been years). There are even musical instruments made from them. Small gourds can be rattles, large ones shakirees (spelling?), and someone made like a guitar/uke kind of thing once. Did you know that down south somewhere there is a museum/gift shop of gourds? A yearly convention in the North somewhere?
Obviously, I love this, too, but I've never had the pleasure of watching someone paint and decorate them, I sooo much would like to. Thanks for your response.
@Loverbear (4918)
• United States
3 Aug 09
I design and make teddy bears, which in a way is old time, but not as old as black smithing and making brooms. I also did work in pottery and have done paper mache'. I also did some weaving when I was younger, but lost interest in it. I also knit and crochet but the bear making takes up most of the time.
I am planning to make a quilt for an up coming auction for my home owners association. I got the idea last night and will have to sew like a fiend to get it done in time for Labor Day when we have the barbecue and auction.
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
4 Aug 09
Wow! Good luck! Love Teddy Bears! Glad you found your niche with them. You will really have to work hard, maybe a baby quilt?! Take care
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
5 Aug 09
Very regal! I like it. I had a friend who moved away that I miss who used to dress bears up. Mostly Mom and Pop or Grandma and Grandpa bears and put them in scenes. They were fun.
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
4 Aug 09
Great! I've heard that's a wonderful place. Take care and have fun.
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
27 Jul 09
I enjoy watching all kinds of crafts, especially ones I can't do like drawing. People who can draw make it look too easy, and then when I try it, it looks horrible, so I stick with watching..
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
27 Jul 09
Oops, sorry, I see it says "Old Time Crafts" Well I like watching candlemaking and spinning..
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
30 Jul 09
That's true, but drawing is still something some people do, not like candlemaking unless they work in a factory that makes candles..
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
27 Jul 09
Well, drawing is sort of an old time craft, at base of Native American Tepees (TIPIS-I only know how to spell it from Indian books I've read, they don't use Teepee or however it is spelled in most of my old time books), on drums, drawing is before painting and before decorating tole stuff and so on. As far as I'm concerned, it qualifies.
1 person likes this
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
13 Aug 09
I like basketweaving, too. You make the bottom one way, the sides another and the top and/or handle another way. So unlike some things, it keeps changing.
@nancyrowina (3850)
•
27 Jul 09
I make patchwork quilts which is an old time craft, and I've also just got a book about Victorian crafts which has some interesting stuff in it. They used to make bowls and napkin rings and bracelets and such out of paper mache. when it was dry they would sand it down and paint it and it would look like wood. Me and my friend are going to start making things like that and try to sell them at craft fairs as I haven't seen anyone else doing it yet.
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
27 Jul 09
My Mother had a patchwork quilt in her cedar chest for when she got married. Her Mother had her make the quilt for when she got married. She also had decorated hand towels and all kinds of stuff so that when she got married, she wouldn't need some things. I thought that was neat and I think it's great that you do patchwork quilts, too. Victorian crafts, I live in a victorian house. I love papier mache, too. The victorian thing I've done in years past is make rose beads out of actual rose petals. Thanks and take care.
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
28 Jul 09
Taking reeds or other material and making baskets or fluffy wool and making yarn, just fascinates me. I did a basket with lots of help once. I've only washed wool. Love those old time crafts. Thanks for writing and I hope you can enjoy both for many years to come.
