Crafter, designer, maker or artist?

[Quernus Crafts]

I started a thread on Folksy about what those of us involved in arts & crafts like to call ourselves. UK Handmade talks about arts, designers and makers. How do you prefer to be described?

[Karen Jinks / Kala]

now thats a good question - personally speaking I have a degree in graphic design and illustration so generally I call myself a freelance artist and illustrator. Or a designer. Depends on the situation. Never really thought of myself as a crafter - the things I make are just a consequence of my design work and means I can do craft fairs occasionally :D it's great to get out and meet real people once in a while!

[Claire Fairall]

hmmmm good question, I'm never sure how to describe myself. I vary between crafter and designer/maker but never feel that either really "fits"
If I'm trying to impress I call myself a textile artist!

[Quernus Crafts]

Thanks for your thoughts on this. I love arts & crafts, but does that mean I'm an arts & crafter?! Like you, Claire, I've felt a certain discomfort with describing myself as a "crafter", and perhaps that's because the term still sadly has the faint odour of shell clowns and crocheted doilies about it! Karen, I get the sense that your training and background has meant that it's been easier to embrace a more traditional 'label' for what you do, and as a result you see a natural progression from that to your crafting.

"Designer" in my mind is more connected with larger scale artworks, and things which have a functional element to them, like furniture. And "artist" has pretty much cornered the 2-dimensional creative market.

I did wonder whether "artisan" could be more a more accurate description for what we do, but I've yet to have the courage to say it out loud to anyone! I've actually been described as a polymer clay artist, but that doesn't seem like a good fit either!

Designer/maker seems to be the current flavour of the month, although it doesn't exactly trip off the tongue. Because of the explosion of 'crafting' pursuits (and I now feel very self-conscious about using that term), it may take a bit of time before we find our own identity in the panoply of creative expression. Until then, if people ask what I do, I always say that I do something I'm passionate about which gives me a lot of pleasure - it always gets them asking more!

[Surf Jewels]

I think a lot of us come under lots of different titles. Often we are designing our items and then making them too. I design and then make my jewellery, but I also make other things too, things where I'm not designing but following a pattern, such as crocheting or knitting something.

I don't know what I'd call myself really, crafter? designer? Not really sure as I haven't really ever thought about it that much before.

Hannah.
Handmade Ethical Jewellery.
http://surfjewels.000space.com/

[Suzi Zobair]

Most people I know are usually all of the above and more! I just go with artisan as it covers a lot.

[Tracey Chorley]

Interesting discussion. I never know what to describe myself as, I agree with the above though, that often people look down their noses a little if you describe yourself as a crafter. I suspect a lot of people think of the arts and crafts that their children do at school and don't appreciate the skill level required to produce the pieces that we make - whether that be sock toys, knitted jumpers, crocheted blankets, jewellery etc etc etc. It's a shame really, I do often wonder what people DO with their time if they have no hobbies to speak of. I don't feel fulfilled if I've not been able to put my hand to something creative every day. Perhaps we should call ourselves creative types?!

[maga (margaret kirkby)]

Yes ladies, I agree, 'creatives' would be a nice alternative, ppl do tend to think crafters have limited skills which we all know here is rubbish! I'm not good enuf at 'craft' skills, such as knitting, macrame, crochet etc -all the things you think of as being crafts, I've tried and failed :( so I decided to join when I saw the words 'artist' and 'designer' used here, which is more of an all encompassing description and it is more suitable for the type of stuff I do. It was at college the 'experts' told me I was a designer altho i never realised it before then! I do tend to see 'design' in everything and I appreciate good 'technical' design ie furniture, inventions, architecture, therefore enjoy designing jewellery. 3D artworks- and film is a good vehicle for designers also. Having a degree has helped my focus better on my work but there's lots of incredible talent around with no formal qualifications and it's so inspiring to see others' amazing results. 'Creatives' is my preferred word :)

[Chantelle Cheshire]

Hi, although it reads designer/maker on my business card I'm not really confident with that title. Someone once suggested 'creative practitioner' as an alternative and I have to say I'm warming to the idea. Having said that while at a recent exhibition someone came up to me and said "nice work, it's good to have a hobby", does that make me a hobbist? It seems it doesn't matter what you call yourself, people will always have their own views right or wrong.

[Quernus Crafts]

It might make you a hobbit :)

Chantelle Cheshire said:

Hi, although it reads designer/maker on my business card I'm not really confident with that title. Someone once suggested 'creative practitioner' as an alternative and I have to say I'm warming to the idea. Having said that while at a recent exhibition someone came up to me and said "nice work, it's good to have a hobby", does that make me a hobbist? It seems it doesn't matter what you call yourself, people will always have their own views right or wrong.

[Shalini]

I prefer to be described as an artisan. I feel this term covers designing, making, creating and it has a nice ring to it as well :-)

[maga (margaret kirkby)]

hi there! the 'it's good to have a hobby' quote - yes, that kind of remark does not really do anything for one's confidence- another one i've had (and so have many others, i hear) 'that's quite nice, i could probably do better myself, though'- there's nowt funnier than folk XD

Chantelle Cheshire said:

Hi, although it reads designer/maker on my business card I'm not really confident with that title. Someone once suggested 'creative practitioner' as an alternative and I have to say I'm warming to the idea. Having said that while at a recent exhibition someone came up to me and said "nice work, it's good to have a hobby", does that make me a hobbist? It seems it doesn't matter what you call yourself, people will always have their own views right or wrong.

[Surf Jewels]

I agree about not knowing what people do if they don't have hobbies, I feel a bit lost if I'm not doing something, I always seem 2 have a project on the go!

At the end of the day though, I'm not sure I'm too bothered what I call myself really because I feel I'm a lot more than just one thing anyway.

Hannah.
Handmade Ethical Jewellery.
http://surfjewels.000space.com/