Craftsman Community

[the deacon]

Hi all. This is my first time posting, but I've been reading and learning for a while.

First off I'd like to say that I have much respect for learning a craft and/or trade and pursuing that as one's life.

I have not really worked with leather (thanks to this site I'm learning to, though). I am a clothing maker by trade and am drawn to the process of designing, sourcing inputs, and producing items that I feel have something to say. I love to work with my hands and enjoy the satisfaction of producing something of integrity, quality, and beauty. Although separated by traditions, craftspeople are not much different than the new maker movement (though much of their skills are technological).

When I purchase items it means a lot to me (as well as being well designed and constructed) to know where it came from, who had a hand in it's making, and about the inputs.

I had a clothing line (www.dieterbennet.com) and tried my best to adhere to these ideals. I have since started a new project and want to go even deeper into those ideals.

I work in fabric, and in that medium am very proficient. Although I'm learning leather, I fully understand that there will be other people that will have more skill at leather craft no matter how hard I work. I think this is a good thing, I love to connect with people that have deep knowledge and skill.

The hardest thing that I've run across is it's often very hard to find craftspeople. I think community building like leatherwork.net is crucial, but there are countless others not even hooked up to the net. It is my great dream to build a community of craftspeople in which we all work together to achieve great things. I see American micro-manufacturing as a great thing, and hope to be a part of it.

Anyway, just throwing comments out there. If you are like minded, or disagree please post up.

best

dieter

[raysouth]

Hello Dieter.

Micro-manufacturing will eventually fill a niche, and to some extent, it has already appeared to be working.

I have seen, over many years, skills that were once prevelant are now a rare commodity. So many "skills" have dwindled away. One far fetched example, not much in demand in the U.S., is "Thatched roofing". This is one of many skills that is nearly non-existent.

Panel beaters, another metalworking skill that has faded away. It is possible to sit back and reflect, for someone of my age, about the many crafts/skills no longer available. Your craft, is another that has slimmed to a select few. Days past found clothing made in the home to be a normal occurence, but want to take a stab at how many homes fabricate their own, or childrens clothing today? Not very many.

I hope that you eventually find others willing to jump on the bandwagon, so to speak, but even though the internet/computing, has opened many new ways to interact, I doubt that folks will ever return to the "good old days".

Those, such as yourself, will certainly make a difference to those willing to hang in there and bring back some of the talents of yesteryear.

My comments are only meant to be from my own personal experience over many years and not an attempt to form opinions for debate. Simply, just as I see it today.

Always willing and eager to share with others and feel free to drop a line of visit if ever in the East Central Alabama area.

Hope to be around a bit longer.

God Bless.

[the deacon]

Thanks for the comments.

I agree, micro manufacturing has taken root and fills a much needed niche, and that we will never return to the "good ol days". But I sense people and customers today are craving products that reflect their aesthetic and are made using long tested, tried and true methods to produce quality. There are many small companies opening up where the craft of making the product is just as important as the final product.

There is an analog to the slow food movement in the product world. It's maybe ten years behind, but I see how it can really become big. If that happens the skills will be in more demand, hopefully causing that knowledge to be passed down and valued.