Handicraft, also called handcraft, refers to the creation of objects by hand. The range of handicrafts is limited only by an individual’s imagination and ability. Handcrafted objects include boxes, bowls, lamps, wall hangings, toys, rugs, picture frames, leaded glass windows, baskets, moccasins, and boats.
Handicraft materials include wood, leather, cork, plaster, metal, fabric, yarns, beads, reeds, and shells. Most handicrafts require the use of such tools as hammers, needles, sewing machines, weaving looms, glass cutters, knives, or scissors. Traditional handicrafts, including basket weaving and pottery making, use natural materials and simple tools. Modern handicrafts, such as plastic sculpturing or model making, use industrial materials and techniques.
People create handicrafts for a number of reasons. Many people learn craft skills as a challenging and entertaining hobby. They may also enjoy expressing themselves artistically as they create objects. Other people get satisfaction from making the things they need in everyday life. Often craftworkers design and make original objects to exhibit and sell. Doctors sometimes recommend handicrafts as therapy for people with emotional problems or physical disabilities. See Occupational therapy .
The earliest handcrafted objects may have been items that people cut from wood with sharpened stones. Prehistoric people had to rely on handicrafts to make the things they needed, because they had no machines. Handcrafting served as the only method of creating objects for thousands of years.
The Industrial Revolution of the 1700’s and early 1800’s brought about great changes in the way objects were made. People using machines could make items much faster and cheaper than could individuals working by hand. The mass production of goods reduced the demand for homemade items and handicrafts became a hobby rather than a necessary activity.
After World War II (1939-1945), a new interest in handicrafts emerged. By the late 1950’s, many people had become disenchanted with mass-produced goods. They disliked the sameness and lack of artistic design they saw in many mass-produced objects. In response to this dissatisfaction, manufacturers produced handicraft kits that provided precut parts and instructions showing people how to make various items.
As public interest increased, schools and colleges began to teach crafts. Educators came to recognize that creating a crafted object requires many of the same artistic skills and design knowledge as the fine arts. The popularity of handicrafts continued to grow during the 1960’s, 1970’s, and 1980’s.
