Regional Crafts

791 Views 4 Replies 3 Participants Last post by lorian, Aug 8, 2007

chamoisee

Discussion Starter · Aug 3, 2007

Which crafts seem to be regional or local where you live, in other words, probably related to local culture?

What I have seen a lot of here in northern Idaho:

*Antler based art for the home, such as chandeliers, door handles, lamps, etc.

*Painted sawblades, especially the circular one but also the old two man saws, and as these types get less common, the regular carpenter saws.

*Rustic furniture made of logs and sticks, not the woven willow type, the sort that is logs or stick joined together.

*Bird houses and feeders, especially those that are rustic or made to look like little log cabins, etc.

*Plywood cutouts that look like a cowboy or cowgirl leaning back against a fence. I am so tired of these! Also, the butts bending over.

*Sheet metal cutouts, sometimes quite intricate and lacy.

*Chainsaw carvings of bears, beavers, eagles, etc.

Popular themes here are bears, moose, elk, eagles, deer, log cabins, pine trees, and fish such as trout or salmon.

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Wisconsin Ann

· #2 · Aug 4, 2007

We see the same sorts of crafts here in Wisconsin. The chainsaw sculptures are particularly prevalant. lots of bears, indian totems, trolls.

If I see one more bent over butt I'm gonna start shooting

painted sawblades seems to be more North Wisconsin. I've seen them often in the hunting country.

pottery is big here. Lots of hand thrown mugs, bowls...usable household items. mainly wood fired and gas kilns. There is a definate "german" feel to many.

The area was settled by German and Scandanavian folk, so there are a lot of "old world" type crafts. Quilts, rosemaling (scandanavian painting on wooden objects), Smocked Aprons, and the like. Trolls are big here. There are trolls everywhere. Made out of almost everything.

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Wisconsin Ann

· #4 · Aug 5, 2007

Quilts: around here the quilts tend more toward traditional patterns. wedding ring, stars, er...don't know a lot of the names, but you get the idea

Not a lot of the applique type quilts, mostly pieced. Lots of tree of life, if it IS applique.

hmm....since your question, I've been looking more at the local crafts to notice the type and possible background. I've been noticing quite a number of "local wood" made objects. Like bird houses, chairs, small tables made from trees taken down and sawn locally...usually by the crafter or his/her family.

There are also a LOT of Celtic crafts here. forgot about them before. Milwaukee has a huge Irishfest every August. We have a significant number of Irish immigrants here. Of the actual crafts that are in the local economy, I've seen celtic themed handmade jewelry, ceramic tiles, loads of pottery with celtic motifs, handknit goods (VERY expensive tho) and baskets. Don't know why baskets are celtic, but that's how they're marketed

Good question. It's increased my awareness of WHY this particular craft is in an area, and where did it come from.

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