"This publication ... represents a significant step forward in devising a structured methodological approach to assessing excellence in the artistic crafts. By examining and comparing Italian and European legislation and regulations governing craft production, the authors were able to identify a number of recurring concept-terms underpinning craft excellence.These were then narrowed down to a list of 11 criteria: those directly related to the artisan's skill (competence, creativity, interpretation, talent, training); those regarding relational and territorial aspects (territory, tradition); and those concerned with the product itself (authenticity, craftsmanship, innovation, originality). Interviews with leading master artisans from different European countries and influential experts in the field of the artistic crafts, backed up by a nationwide survey to gauge the views of the wider Italian population, helped to confirm the validity of the matrix and the classification system that emerged from this process ... The proposed assessment matrix not only serves as a new tool to aid our understanding and assessment of excellence, but also offers invaluable support to those who aspire to achieve that excellence."--Front cover flap.

Step into a world where ancient crafting meets modern innovation with "The Artisan's Guide to Tanning." This comprehensive eBook is a treasure trove for enthusiasts and professionals alike, offering a unique blend of history, science, and practical know-how, elevating the art of tanning to new heights. Immerse yourself in the craft of tanning through an insightful overview blending tradition with sustainable crafting practices. Discover the secrets behind selecting and evaluating hides, ensuring every creation adheres to ethical and sustainable standards. As you navigate the pages, watch as the rich history and crucial importance of tanning in crafting unfold before your eyes. Brace yourself for a transformative journey through a meticulously organized tanning workspace, where the essential tools, materials, and safety precautions are detailed, setting the stage for your own successful tanning ventures. Learn the inner workings of the leather with a unique dive into the chemical make-up and reactions pivotal to the tanning process. Bring ancient wisdom into your hands with chapters dedicated to traditional tanning techniques, such as the intricate methods of vegetable and brain tanning. Discover how to apply these methods in a cycle that pays homage to time-honored practices while pressing forward into advanced techniques and experimenting with natural dyes and modern additives. After mastering the tanning cycle, you'll learn how to evaluate and troubleshoot your work with expert post-tanning treatments, ensuring every piece of leather sets the standard for quality. "The Artisan's Guide to Tanning" doesn't stop at creation—it guides you through the artistry of crafting with leather, from design and stitching to the final detailing that defines handcrafted excellence. See your tanned creations transform from a humble hide to sought-after products, with invaluable insights into marketing, brand establishment, and navigating industry standards. Finally, the guide reaches beyond technique, delving into the heart of the tanning community with engaging stories and insights. "The Artisan's Guide to Tanning" is an essential read for anyone passionate about the art of transforming hides into beautifully crafted leather goods. Whether you are a seasoned veteran or new to the world of tanning, this guide promises to be an invaluable companion on your crafting journey. Embrace the future of tanning with grace, innovation, and the lasting touch of an artisan.

The sense of touch had a deeply uncertain status in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. It had long been seen as the most certain and reliable of the senses, and also as biologically necessary: each of the other senses could be relinquished, but to lose touch was to lose life itself. Alternatively, touch was seen as dangerously bodily, and too fully involved in sensual and sexual pleasures, to be of true worth. Feeling Pleasures argues that this tension came to the fore during the English Renaissance, and allowed some of the central debates of this period—surrounding the nature of human experience, of the material world, and of the relationship between the human and the divine—to proceed through discussions of touch. It also argues that the unstable status of touch was of particular import to the poetry of this period. By bringing touch to the fore in a period usually associated with the dominance of vision and optics, Joe Moshenska offers reconsiderations of major English poets, especially Edmund Spenser and John Milton, while exploring a range of spheres in which touch assumed new significance. These include theological debates surrounding relics and the Eucharist in the work of Erasmus, Thomas Cranmer and Lancelot Andrewes; the philosophical history of tickling; the touching of paintings and sculptures in a European context; faith healing and experimental science; and the early reception of Chinese medicine in England.

Experimenting with Ethnography collects twenty-one essays that open new paths for doing ethnographic analysis. The contributors—who come from a variety of intellectual and methodological traditions—enliven analysis by refusing to take it as an abstract, disembodied exercise. Rather, they frame it as a concrete mode of action and a creative practice. Encompassing topics ranging from language and the body to technology and modes of collaboration, the essays invite readers to focus on the imaginative work that needs to be performed prior to completing an argument. Whether exchanging objects, showing how to use drawn images as a way to analyze data, or working with smartphones, sound recordings, and social media as analytic devices, the contributors explore the deliberate processes for pursuing experimental thinking through ethnography. Practical and broad in theoretical scope, Experimenting with Ethnography is an indispensable companion for all ethnographers. Contributors. Patricia Alvarez Astacio, Andrea Ballestero, Ivan da Costa Marques, Steffen Dalsgaard, Endre Dányi, Marisol de la Cadena, Marianne de Laet, Carolina Domínguez Guzmán, Rachel Douglas-Jones, Clément Dréano, Joseph Dumit, Melanie Ford Lemus, Elaine Gan, Oliver Human, Alberto Corsín Jiménez, Graham M. Jones, Trine Mygind Korsby, Justine Laurent, James Maguire, George E. Marcus, Annemarie Mol, Sarah Pink, Els Roding, Markus Rudolfi, Ulrike Scholtes, Anthony Stavrianakis, Lucy Suchman, Katie Ulrich, Helen Verran, Else Vogel, Antonia Walford, Karen Waltorp, Laura Watts, Brit Ross Winthereik

As documented in Patsy Pittman Light’s award-winning book, Capturing Nature, Mexican artisan Dionicio Rodríguez arrived in San Antonio in the 1920s and created concrete bus stop shelters, park benches, footbridges, and other structures in the style known as faux bois, or trabajo rústico. Following on the success of that previous work, Light, with photographer and artist Kent Rush, presents a comprehensive look at the legacy of Rodríguez as reflected in the works of those whom he trained, mentored, or influenced. Rodríguez captured nature in his work, but he also continues to capture our imagination. Drawing these artistic creations out of the urban landscape, Artisans of Trabajo Rústico makes the nearly invisible fully visible to the critic, the historian, and especially to the casual viewer. Light asserts that San Antonio has the largest concentration of this art form in the country and includes copious full-color photography of the work of Rodríguez and other artisans. This handsomely illustrated and painstakingly documented work offers the broadest possible panorama for the craft and endearing familiarity of this form. Inspired by nature, built by hand, and placed in the service of the public, these “rustic works” continue to provide enjoyment, convenience, and a touch of artistic elegance to public and private landscapes in San Antonio and beyond. Light and Rush’s work affords a fresh and wide-ranging look at this important artisanal tradition.

Discover the Timeless Allure of Handcrafted Elegance Elevate Your Home with Artisanal Masterpieces Step into a world where every corner of your home breathes creativity and thoughtfulness with "Handcrafted Elegance." This captivating eBook invites you to transform your space into a serene refuge, filled with meticulously crafted items that exude warmth, character, and a bespoke touch. Dive deep into Chapter 1, where you’ll embark on a journey to understand the essence of artisanal craftsmanship. Learn to identify the unparalleled beauty of handmade pieces versus the ubiquitous mass-produced items. Develop an intimate sense of your personal style, setting the foundation for a home that truly reflects your individuality. Planning your transformation becomes an inspired adventure in Chapter 2. Assess your current space, create a budget, and gather inspiration from a myriad of sources to design a well-thought-out plan. Chapters 3 through 10 immerse you in myriad ways to infuse every room with handcrafted textiles, furniture, decorative accents, lighting, kitchen, and bathroom enhancements, bedroom tranquility, and inviting outdoor spaces. Carefully curated DIY projects, refinishing tips, and recommendations for sourcing bespoke items from skilled artisans will turn your home into a gallery of personal expression. Incorporate artistic flair seamlessly into modern decor with Chapter 11. Achieve a perfect blend of old and new styles, showcasing unique handmade finds that create a harmonious yet dynamic ambiance. Chapter 12 offers a delightful exploration of seasonal handcrafted decor, ensuring your home radiates cozy charm and festive spirit year-round. From spring and summer crafts to fall and winter treasures, and handmade holiday decorations, every season brings new opportunities for creativity. Maintain the integrity and charm of your handcrafted items with maintenance techniques in Chapter 13. Proper care, repairing tips, and organization ideas will keep your handcrafted haven looking pristine and loved. Finally, Chapters 14 and 15 guide you in sourcing and celebrating the handcrafted lifestyle. Discover local artisan markets, online treasures, and the joy of commissioning custom pieces while supporting small businesses. Live in a home filled with heart, soul, and the unparalleled joy of creating with your hands. "Handcrafted Elegance" is not just an eBook; it is an invitation to reinvent your living space with passion, precision, and personalized beauty. Begin your journey today and turn your home into a sanctuary that reflects your true self.