Handmade Crafts in The World

Artisans across the world have been producing beautiful, practical, and culturally significant crafts for many centuries. Each country has unique and different cultures which attract some tourists and make them become more valuable worldwide with their good quality. Let’s take a look!

1. Rug makers in Turkey for centuries, the Turkish people have been known for their high-quality rugs. With variations in climate, society, history, and the economy, materials for the craft vary from place to place, from cotton to wool and viscose to silk, the finest of the four threads. Raised on farms in Turkey, the silkworm cocoons are harvested and then soaked in steaming water. Teasing the strands from the cocoons, workers spin the silk onto large wooden wheels, after which it is twisted and then colored with natural dyes. Unlike many other countries, Turkish rugs are double-knotted, giving them strength and durability. The patterns and symbolism of the rugs are often extremely intricate, making their work all the more impressive.

2. Glass Blowers in Murano Italy. You can find the art of glass blowing easily located in one of the best places in the world just north of Venice is the island of Murano. Although the unique industry in this island may have altered somewhat since the beginning of the 8th Century (the art form originally developed in the Middle East around 300 BC), it remains a thriving industry. The making of glass blowing is not easy. While using a hollow steel tube, the molten glass is pulled from the furnace and rolled into shape on a steel table, known as a marver. Then the craftsman blows into the pipe, the warm air causes the glass to bubble, at which point it is reworked until the desired shape is achieved.

3. Knifemakers in Tibet, China. During the 20th Century, Tibetan knife makers struggled to maintain their trade just like many artisans around the world. However, with support from the Chinese government and the artists’ continued perseverance, Tibet’s knife makers keep going on. Following the teachings of their ancestors, craftsmen used a variety of materials; copper is often used for the blade, whilst the horns of bulls and antelopes, along with wood and metal are used for the handles. Knives are never without their sheaths. Made from animal hides, wood, and horn, the coverings not only provide protection but allow the artists to showcase the splendor of their work.

4. Calligraphers in Pakistan Calligraphy is the art of designing and producing decorative letting with a pen or brush. The origins of calligraphy, much like many crafts, are difficult to identify, for it was a practice that grew from many corners of the globe, from Europe to East Asia and the Islamic world to the Mayans. Although art has evolved since its beginnings, it still remains an important trade in many countries. One of the world’s most renowned calligraphers is Khurshid Gohar Galam, from Pakistan. Khurshid Gohar’s work, which includes almost 500 different calligraphic styles, is widespread throughout the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, adorning mosques, tombs, and many other important buildings.

5. Flamenco Guitar Luthiers in Madrid, Spain A flamenco guitar is a guitar similar to a classical guitar but with thinner tops and less internal bracing. It usually has nylon strings, like the classical guitar, but it generally possesses a livelier, more gritty sound compared to the classical guitar. The beauty of the song that resonates from the strings and body of a flamenco guitar is matched by the artisan behind it. Traditionally made from rosewood, sycamore, cypress, and spruce, a flamenco guitar is the result of centuries of fine-tuning if you’ll excuse the pun! From using the right wood and polishing the fretboard to bending the ribs of the inner body, a visit to one of the many guitar-making workshops in Madrid, Spain is a great way to see the luthiers at work. 

Written by: Fergie Virgiyana