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WHY CRAFTS?
By Kathy Ceceri

Nothing is in the mind that is not first in the hand. – Aristotle

Crafts-based lessons blend art and technology. They show how culture, language, environment, technology and trade influence the way people live. And they’re fun!

Crafts connect us to people throughout history: 18th-century girls who were taught paper quilling in school, along with other refinements, to help them land a husband; Tibetan monks who learned how to create beautiful mandalas at an early age; Eskimo fathers carving ivory storyknives for their daughters to play with; and British craftsman designing metalwork pieces for village patrons.

Some of the questions you can explore while studying crafts include:

• Where did this craft originate? How has it changed over time?
• Does this craft serve a purpose beyond mere decoration?
• Who made this craft? Did they make it out of necessity, for profit, or for entertainment?
• Was this craft made for everyday use or special occasions? How can you tell?
• What materials did they use and why?
• How do the designs used reflect the culture that produced them?
• Do they have a sacred meaning or come from folklore?
• Are they meant to educate, scare or please viewers?

© 2008 Kathy Ceceri

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