Today we are going to talk about a series of disciplines that most of you will have heard of, but after reviewing them, they may awaken the artisan within us.

In a previous article (“What are the 10 most important traits of a craftsperson?”) we saw that craftsmen are not born but made, and here we will try to stimulate that inner artist in case you have not yet discovered your passion(s).

There are numerous craft disciplines that cover a wide variety of creative fields. Let's review the most common ones:

1. Carpentry

The art of artisanal carpentry is a discipline in which craftsmen use traditional skills and techniques to work wood and create functional and aesthetically appealing objects. Creations can range from furniture, sculptures, carvings, marquetry, among others. Before embarking on our project, it would be interesting to delve into the world of wood, its characteristics and properties, and thus choose the one that best suits the idea we have in mind.

Types of wood

Here we propose 5 types of wood ordered by price, from lowest to highest.

  • Pine : Pine is an inexpensive softwood that is widely used by craftsmen because it is widely available and has a light color and distinctive grain. Although less durable than some other woods, pine is easy to work with and is suitable for less complex woodworking projects such as frames, shelving, and decorative items.
  • Oak : Oak is usually moderately to highly priced, depending on the quality and variety. It is a hard, durable wood and has a distinctive grain. The color can range from light to darker shades, making it ideal for projects that require strength and durability, such as wall and floor coverings, doors, and furniture.
  • Maple : Maple can range in price from budget options to high-quality varieties. It is considered a hard, durable wood with a clear, smooth appearance. In this case, the colors can vary from creamy white to golden tones. Thanks to its fine grain and ability to be stained or painted, it is a highly prized wood in carpentry for the creation of parquet, musical instruments, stairs, furniture and kitchen utensils.
  • Walnut : Walnut tends to be a high-priced wood due to its beauty and aesthetic appeal, known for its dark brown hue and pronounced grain. It is valued for its beauty and is used in the manufacture of high-quality furniture, musical instruments and decorative objects.
  • Cherry : Cherry is also in the high-end price range due to its warm appearance and richer tone over time. It is a warm-toned, hard wood that ages gracefully to a darker reddish hue over time. Woodworkers value it for its uniform grain and natural beauty, giving it uses similar to walnut in the making of fine furniture, musical instruments, boxes and kitchenware.

In addition to choosing the right wood, artisan carpenters often do a detailed design and create a plan for the construction process. So grab a pen and paper and consider the dimensions, aesthetics, functionality, and ornamental details of your idea.

Another very important aspect, without which we will not be able to carry out our project, are the tools. In artisanal carpentry, traditional hand tools are used, such as planes, chisels, hand saws, gouges and mallets, instead of power tools. However, in recent years, there are many craftsmen who use this type of tools because it makes the work process easier for them, and thus they are more efficient and precise.

2. Ceramics

The art of artisanal ceramics is a form of creative expression that involves the creation and manipulation of clay objects. In the world of pottery, there are countless traditional techniques and tools for molding, decorating, and the firing process of clay. Below we will see some of these techniques as well as the materials necessary to carry out your projects.

As we did previously with wood, the first step is to know the types of clays that exist and their properties. We are going to review some of them ordered by the most affordable price:

Types of clay

  • Earthenware clay : Earthenware clay tends to be the most economical of all due to its wide availability and ease of workability. It is a low-temperature clay that is white or creamy in color in its natural state and is known for being nonporous, water-resistant, and durable. Artisan potters use it to make tableware, plates, mugs, bowls, and other kitchenware. It is typically glazed and fired at temperatures between 1000°C and 1200°C.
  • Red clay : Red clay is also relatively affordable for all budgets. It contains a higher amount of iron oxides, which gives it that characteristic reddish color. Due to its greater strength and durability, it is commonly used in more rustic pottery projects, as well as the production of bricks, tiles, flowerpots and more structural objects. Red clay requires temperatures similar to those of earthenware clay, around 1000°C and 1200°C. We must also always take into account the type of oven and the size and thickness of the piece.
  • Stoneware clay : Stoneware is generally more expensive than the two previous clays as it has a higher level of both durability and strength. It is a high-temperature clay and being denser and less porous than earthenware clay, makes it suitable for tableware and utilitarian pieces. It is fired at higher temperatures, generally between 1200°C and 1300°C, to achieve optimal firing.
  • Fireclay : Fireclay can be more expensive due to its specialized composition as it requires high heat resistance and is used for the manufacture of ceramics that are exposed to extreme temperatures, such as firebricks, roof tiles or chimneys. It is fired at temperatures of up to 1300°C.
  • Porcelain clay : Porcelain is considered by potters to be one of the finest and most delicate clays, which is why it tends to have a higher price compared to the previous ones. It is characterized by its white and smooth appearance, and according to artisans, one of the most difficult to work with. It has a wide variety of uses, such as lamps, sculptures, tableware, architectural elements, and its firing temperature is between 1200°C and 1400°C.

A potter uses a variety of tools to shape, decorate and work clay, but it is not essential to have all of them to start getting your hands dirty with this art.

Tools

  • Potter's wheel: This is a fundamental tool for potters, and can be electric or manual. Artisans consider it essential for working clay in a rotating manner and giving uniformity to their ideas.
  • Rolling pin: Used to flatten and spread clay. Can be made of wood, plastic or metal.
  • Spatulas: Ideal for smoothing surfaces and creating details.
  • Blades: Used to cut shapes and make precise incisions.
  • Scrapers: Help to remove excess clay and define the contours of the piece.
  • Sponges: Cleaning, moistening, softening and polishing clay are some of their uses.
  • Stakes: Thin, pointed tools used to create fine details, textures and lines in clay.
  • Brushes: Used to apply glazes, slips and decorations to ceramics.
  • Cutting Wire: Used to separate pieces of clay from the wheel or to cut shapes and sections of clay.

Okay, now that we have our project in mind (or even better, on paper), and we have also chosen the right type of clay and tools, what are the next steps to take?

First of all, the clay must be kneaded to remove any impurities. Next comes the modelling phase, in which the potter gives shape and life to his work either manually or with the help of a wheel. Once we like the design, it must be left to dry slowly, so that it becomes firm. If we want to apply a glaze to the piece, we must first do a “bisque” which consists of firing our work at a low temperature using a bisque kiln. The glaze forms a layer that provides texture, shine and colour to the ceramic. Finally comes the moment of firing at a high temperature, which will depend on the type of clay we have used and the size of our piece.

There are many places that offer ovens for firing our own pieces, so there is no excuse not to roll up your sleeves and start today.

3. Jewelry

Another of the most extensive disciplines would be jewelry. Who wouldn't like to create their own design? We have enjoyed our creations since we were little, which is why there are countless children's games that allow us to explore and stimulate our creativity. Handmade jewelry is the creation of unique and personalized jewelry using artisan techniques and skills. Since there is such a wide variety of materials, there are artisans who specialize in some of them. As we have done with the other disciplines, we are going to see which are the most used materials in handmade jewelry ordered by most affordable price.

Types of materials

  • Recycled materials : Recycled paper, plastic, fabric, are examples of sustainable elements that are relatively low cost or sometimes free, to create unique jewelry.
  • Beads and charms : These can be made of glass, ceramic, metal, wood and plastic, and being widely available makes them an economical option for those artisans who want to enter the world of jewelry.
  • Wires and threads : Whether made of gold, silver, copper, stainless steel and nylon, these are used for stringing, weaving and wire-wrapping in handmade jewelry. These are usually moderately priced and widely available.
  • Semi-precious stones and gems : In this category we would have amethysts, topazes, quartz and tourmalines, which can vary in price depending on their quality, size and rarity. These offer a wide variety of colors and textures to make your design a reality with attractive and visual colors. Normally, they are more affordable than precious stones.
  • Precious Metals : Gold and silver have a significant cost due to their intrinsic value. These metals are widely used in handmade jewelry in different alloys to obtain different colors and properties, such as sterling silver, yellow gold, white gold, among others.
  • Gemstones : Lastly, we have to talk about diamonds, rubies, sapphires and emeralds. Artisans use them to add color, sparkle and value to their creations. They are usually found set in precious metals. The price of these stones varies substantially depending on their size, clarity, color and cut.

I know that some of you will be thinking that in order to manipulate such small pieces in a precise manner, very specific tools are needed, which is why here we leave you an initial list to be able to start carrying out our creations.

Tools

  • Round Nose Pliers: Used for bending wire, making precise connections and forming loops.
  • Cutting Pliers: Typically used to cut wire, chain and other jewelry materials precisely.
  • Flat Nose Pliers: The craftsman needs to hold and clamp his jewelry pieces, to bend and shape wires and metal sheets.
  • Jewelry File: Smooths and shapes metal edges and surfaces, allowing for a more precise finish.
  • Jeweler's Hammer: Used for forging and shaping metals, as well as texturing and securing components.
  • Jeweler's torch: Allows the application of controlled heat for welding, melting and working precious metals.
  • Polishing stone: Very frequently used to polish and shine metals and precious stones.
  • Drill bits and milling cutters: Cutting tools used in drilling and forming metals.
  • Jewelers saw: Used to cut pipes and metals precisely.
  • Cutting Pliers: Hold and cut fine wires and jewelry components.
  • Burins and chisels: To engrave and carve your designs.
  • Mandrel and measuring rings: Allows you to measure and adjust rings to obtain a perfect fit.