Craft Brooches

A craft is anything that requires skills to produce. It differs from a piece of art, which requires imagination and creative skill. Examples of crafts include weaving, pottery, carving, beading, embroidery, macramé, sewing and knitting. Some examples of the arts include painting, drawing and sculpture. Shop a variety of crafts on 1stDibs.

Functional crafts are items that are visually appealing but have a useful purpose. As a result, they are more than mere decorative objects. Examples of functional crafts include everything from tableware to kitchenware to vases to door hardware like ornate doorknobs and knockers.

To identify Arts and Crafts furniture, first see if you can locate a maker's mark on your piece. By researching any marks using trusted online resources, you can determine who produced your piece and find out if the maker was linked with the Arts and Crafts movement. Some notable makers associated with the style include William Morris and Philip Webb. If you can't find a maker's mark, examine the details of your piece. The Arts and Crafts movement began as a reaction to mass production, highlighting craftsmanship, raw materials and simple design. Due to its handcrafted origins, Arts and Crafts furniture often displays tool marks and slight variations in carvings and details. Pieces so regular that they seem machine-made are less likely to be Arts and Crafts furniture. Other common characteristics of Arts and Crafts pieces include inlaid and carved details and natural wood materials with visible grains. Chairs often feature reclining or angled backs and armrests. If you'd like assistance determining whether a particular piece is Arts and Crafts, consider consulting a certified appraiser or experienced antique dealer. On 1stDibs, explore a range of Arts and Crafts furniture.

The craft of painting enamel on glass is called enameling. Because regular paint would simply wash off glass, the artisan uses enamel and fires it into the glass once they have painted the design. Browse a range of enameled glass pieces on 1stDibs.