A modern tatami room – credit, Filiz Elaerts on Unsplash Western admirers of Japanese aesthetic are keeping afloat tatami craftsmen in Japan, where modernity and maintenance requirements are driving down interest in this artisanal form of flooring. From Europe to the US and even in the Middle East, eager importers of tatami mats now account … Read more
Courtesy of The Crochet Collective This incredible Christmas tree was designed and manufactured by incredible women in India’s state of Goa who felt another fake plastic Christmas tree was something the world didn’t need. Made entirely of crocheted yarn, the community tree was designed to help revive a fading craft, feature women’s labor, and offer … Read more
FibreSENSE – credit, courtesy of Kosha.ai An Indian initiative is utilizing a scientific technique known as spectroscopy to prove the authenticity of traditional, handwoven silken garments over forgeries. Often making headlines in the study of planets and nebulae in our galaxy, the spectroscopy device allows for quick and indisputable textile analysis at the molecular level—giving … Read more
Credit: Woman’s Weekly magazine / Fortune The readers of Woman’s Weekly magazine have a long tradition of coming together through knitting and crocheting—always to provide comfort and joy for others. This year’s crafty compassion project was their biggest ever, officially breaking a Guinness World Record. Earlier this year, the magazine invited readers to create woolen … Read more
Sydney Jones in front of her Odd Commodity stall – credit, oddcommodityshop.com Car break-ins in the Bay Area are down, but not out. From each one of these ugly surprises, local artisan Sydney Jones creates a surprising amount of beauty. Using a kitchen-top kiln, she takes advantage of safety glass’ crystalline structure to quickly turn … Read more
Alan Macdonald, of Bishop Cleeve – credit, Tom Wren / SWNS When a corporate shoe repair chain wanted to open a location in a Gloucestershire, town, locals rallied in a signature gathering campaign to protect their local cobbler. An example of small-town sanctity, a petition to reject the corporate newcomer was promoted on social media … Read more