Through the process of creating this guide, I was overwhelmed by the sheer breadth of the phrase arts & crafts. I quickly gave up on the notion of having any sort of comprehensive list of all the arts and crafts one might practice. Ultimately, I decided to only add pages for targeted crafting resources for which Gordon Library has access.
If you're interested in an art or craft that isn't on this Guide, use the email button on my profile to let me know!
There is no question that healthy people’s lives include creative outlets, a way to express themselves constructively so there’s less danger of anxiety and stress “speaking” from within, in negative ways. That was a big part of the reason the Craft & Hobby Association (now the Association for Creative Industries [AFCI]) established National Crafting Month back in 1994. The awareness-raising was meant to help individuals discover their hidden creativity and introduce Americans to outlets they hadn’t tried before, ranging from embroidery to candle-making to any number of other crafts. Over the years since, National Crafting Month has also come to signify a time for practiced crafters to start on a new project, try a new medium, or learn a skill they’ve always been curious about.
Today, crafting is not only a worthwhile, relaxing pursuit for anyone and everyone, but it also has become big business. For example, the AFCI sponsors a yearly mega-convention for companies that fall under the heading, “creative industries.” It’s an event where the leaders in crafting domestically and worldwide trade knowledge, experience and economic strategies. The good news for a typical at-home crafter? In this case, the “trickle-down” theory really works well, spreading the word about new tricks of the trade, cutting-edge materials, and more.
So if you find your fingers itching to be busy, and your heart yearning to make gift-worthy items that combine art and trade skill, join us in celebrating National Crafting Month! -- NationalToday.com
