Knowing roughly how a handmade object is produced makes a craft market easier to read. The four techniques below — pottery, weaving, wood carving and beadwork — cover a large share of what appears on Canadian craft tables. Each has its own materials, tools and tell-tale finishes.
Pottery and ceramics
Most market pottery is either wheel-thrown or hand-built. Wheel-thrown pieces are shaped from a spinning ball of clay and tend to be round and symmetrical. Hand-built pieces are assembled from coils or slabs and often show more irregular forms. After shaping, work is dried, fired, glazed and fired again.
What to look for
- A maker's mark or initials stamped or carved into the base.
- Whether a piece is described as food-safe and dishwasher-safe.
- Glaze finish — glossy, matte or speckled — which is part of the maker's signature.
Textiles and weaving
Woven textiles are produced by interlacing threads on a loom, while knitting and crochet build fabric from a single continuous yarn. Hand-woven scarves, blankets and wall pieces usually carry a visible, even structure, and natural fibres such as wool and cotton are common.
Hand-woven and knitted goods in natural fibres often need gentle, cool washing. Makers can usually explain the right care for a specific piece.
Wood carving and woodwork
Wooden market goods range from carved spoons and bowls to cutting boards and small furniture. Pieces are shaped with knives, gouges or lathes, then sanded and sealed. For items that touch food, makers typically use food-safe oils rather than glossy varnishes.
Beadwork and jewellery
Beaded and assembled jewellery is built by hand from beads, wire and findings. Some makers also work in metal, soldering and finishing pieces in a small workshop. Because assembly is intricate, these stalls often display a wide range of small, individually finished items.
- Further reading:
- Pottery — Wikipedia
- Weaving — Wikipedia
- Wood carving — Wikipedia