Artisans and Craftspersons

Nature of work

This group includes those who use manual and artistic skills to design and make handcrafted objects, both functional and decorative. Makers of musical instruments are also included in this group. Most craftspeople are self-employed. Artistic floral arrangers usually work in florist shops and floral departments of retail shops or may be self-employed. Craft instructors are also included in this group and work for artisan guilds, colleges, private studios, and recreational organizations.

Job duties

Carvers:

• Use hand tools and woodworking machines to produce carvings from wood, stone, and other materials and to carve ornamental designs into wooden furniture and other objects.

Glass blowers:

• Design and create glass objects using blowpipes and artisan's hand tools and equipment.

Metal arts workers:

• Design metal jewellery, utensils, implements, wall hangings and other objects and create them from gold, silver, copper, pewter, and other metals.

Potters:

• Design ornamental and ceramic functional earthenware pieces and create them using clay, moulds, potter's wheels and other equipment, glazing materials, and kilns.

Stained glass artists:

• Design stained glass windows, lampshades and other objects and cut, paint, fire and assemble pieces of stained glass to create such products.

Instrument makers:

• Construct instruments by applying their knowledge of wood, ebonite, metal properties and other materials and instrument design using hand and power tools.

Weavers:

• Use hands or loom to interlace strips of flexible material like wool, cotton, silk, grasses, bark, and rawhide to make baskets, wreaths, wall hangings, clothing, rugs, blankets, and other objects.

Craft instructors:

• Prepare craft making lessons, gather the required working materials and demonstrate and teach craft making techniques.

Artistic floral arrangers:

• Design bouquets, corsages, sprays, wreaths, and other floral arrangements and select natural and artificial flowers, foliage and decorative accessories to create arrangements or other floral items to suit customers' requirements.

Sample job titles

• artisan
• artistic floral arranger
• craft instructor (except education)
• craftsperson
• floral designer
• musical instrument maker - artisan
• potter
• screen printing artisan
• weaver - arts and crafts
• woodcarver

Skills

• You need creativity, imagination, and artistic ability. You should be able to visualize a finished piece of work from a sketch or a brief description. Self-discipline in meeting deadlines and a good business sense are also very important. Computer design and production skills may also be important.

Job requirements

• Skills are often learned through apprenticeship with a master craftsperson.
• A college diploma in fine craft techniques may be required.

Other considerations

• Creative ability and talent, as demonstrated by a portfolio of work, and knowledge of safe handling of material, tools, and equipment are required. Training programs are offered by artisan guilds, colleges and private studios.

No regulating bodies were found under this occupation profile

Contacts

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