On the nights we eat spaghetti in front of the television, we carry out artisan crafted Waterford tables made by our friend Ron Light.
In our home these are artifacts, as is the antique table crafted by my husband’s father when he was in high school. We use these items in our daily lives. We admire the workmanship. We celebrate the makers.
Most of our furniture, dishes, and clothing are mass-produced. Utilitarian, attractive, but not in the artifact category. This is my own definition. Hand crafted. Utilitarian. Valued.
My email signature lists me as artist and artisan. I have made textiles into artifacts for over four decades. That gives me joy.
See Ron’s tables at lighthousewoodworking.com.