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The Book of Forgotten Crafts
A history of time-honored trades and artistry, and stories of the modern craftspeople keeping the traditions alive--includes photos. Today, there is a resurgence in traditional trades and crafts as people look for sustainability and quality over mass-produced, foreign-made goods.
The Book of Forgotten Crafts builds on that movement and reveals the fascinating history of British craftsmanship in a series of interviews with leading crafters at work today. Exploring a range of crafts—village workshop, decorative, basketry, textile, woodland, building, and sports and recreation—photographer Paul Felix and his collaborators profile potters, blacksmiths, glass blowers, pub sign designers, silversmiths, lobster pot makers, hedgelayers, thatchers, brick makers, bagpipe makers, gunsmiths, and many others.
The Book of Forgotten Crafts builds on that movement and reveals the fascinating history of British craftsmanship in a series of interviews with leading crafters at work today. Exploring a range of crafts—village workshop, decorative, basketry, textile, woodland, building, and sports and recreation—photographer Paul Felix and his collaborators profile potters, blacksmiths, glass blowers, pub sign designers, silversmiths, lobster pot makers, hedgelayers, thatchers, brick makers, bagpipe makers, gunsmiths, and many others.
540 pages, ebook
First published March 1, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
February 23, 2024
I think the memory of my Grandfather has for long time instilled in me a deep respect for the traditional craftsman out there and this book is a perfect celebration of that. Yes it is a bit dated now and I see that some trades are making a slow comeback but still there is a lot of amazing skills we are in danger of losing if we do not invest in people to carry it on and invest in their trade to keep them financially viable.
That aside this book is an amazing celebration of what is still being done today and more importantly reminds me that you can still find them out there if you look hard enough.
Not only that but there are details of the groups who still support them and promote them and were and who to speak to for materials and supplies. A great read and certainly a timely reminder of what we have achieved and are capable of
That aside this book is an amazing celebration of what is still being done today and more importantly reminds me that you can still find them out there if you look hard enough.
Not only that but there are details of the groups who still support them and promote them and were and who to speak to for materials and supplies. A great read and certainly a timely reminder of what we have achieved and are capable of
November 5, 2011
Such a beautiful book. I would prefer to own this one, but unfortunately it was a library loan and has to go back. That will be a sad day.
The blurb on this book pretty much says it all and there is not much more to add. Although, I can add a few of my own feelings about it I suppose.
I was delighted to see a story on Phil Harding (from the tv series Time Team) doing his flint knapping. And there are numerous other forgotten crafts described in this book that appealed to me. The Hurdle Maker and Gig Boat Maker especially. The lovely Rhuburb Forcer pots (I wish I had one of these), Rush Seat Creator, Lobster Pot maker, Wheelwright..the list goes on.
A wonderfully done book about some wonderfully precious people.
Well done to the authors!
The blurb on this book pretty much says it all and there is not much more to add. Although, I can add a few of my own feelings about it I suppose.
I was delighted to see a story on Phil Harding (from the tv series Time Team) doing his flint knapping. And there are numerous other forgotten crafts described in this book that appealed to me. The Hurdle Maker and Gig Boat Maker especially. The lovely Rhuburb Forcer pots (I wish I had one of these), Rush Seat Creator, Lobster Pot maker, Wheelwright..the list goes on.
A wonderfully done book about some wonderfully precious people.
Well done to the authors!
December 22, 2020
It feels more than a bit like an advertisement for some of the craftspeople interviewed, and I had to google some for more information because I was not understanding from the book. But it covered a bunch of crafts that are often overlooked for being mundane and bigger than a hobbyist can reasonably do - no one is going to come home and do a bit of millstone repair to relax from their hard day at work - and I found that pretty interesting. Too often crafts are just about the decorative arts, and it was nice to see something that leaned this thoroughly practical.
January 4, 2023
No butcher, baker, or candlestick maker
However, just about everything else, you can imagine is in this “Book of Forgotten Crafts.”
There are enough beautiful pictures for a coffee table book. On the other hand, there is enough information to get any one of these Crafts off the ground. I have dabbled in several of the crafts myself so they are not forgotten. The information on the crafts I was involved in is impeccable. So from this, I can surmise that the Crafts I have not tried yet are well represented.
If you do not take a chance on a craft at least this book helps you be aware of what you are missing. My only disappointment was that there was no entry for pine needle baskets.
My only problem is some of the Crafts need special equipment and lots of space. I can just barely pack two looms a couple of spinning wheels dye equipment, etc. in one room without tripping over each other. Just imagine blacksmithing in the garage.
However, I was able to make small devices for blacksmithing in a class in school and expanded this to the actual job of blacksmithing at West Point, New York; I suggest that you get the opportunity even if you have to travel to the class. It is worth trying out. In the meantime, you can read this book in a dream.
However, just about everything else, you can imagine is in this “Book of Forgotten Crafts.”
There are enough beautiful pictures for a coffee table book. On the other hand, there is enough information to get any one of these Crafts off the ground. I have dabbled in several of the crafts myself so they are not forgotten. The information on the crafts I was involved in is impeccable. So from this, I can surmise that the Crafts I have not tried yet are well represented.
If you do not take a chance on a craft at least this book helps you be aware of what you are missing. My only disappointment was that there was no entry for pine needle baskets.
My only problem is some of the Crafts need special equipment and lots of space. I can just barely pack two looms a couple of spinning wheels dye equipment, etc. in one room without tripping over each other. Just imagine blacksmithing in the garage.
However, I was able to make small devices for blacksmithing in a class in school and expanded this to the actual job of blacksmithing at West Point, New York; I suggest that you get the opportunity even if you have to travel to the class. It is worth trying out. In the meantime, you can read this book in a dream.
October 27, 2021
Good for a peek into Britain's craft heritage, but this is more "artisan spotlight" than it is informative about the crafts themselves.
March 2, 2014
It's a bit mystifying as an American to follow everything said in this wonderful book, but the pictures alone are awesome. There are skills in here that I'd never heard of before and some that I'm going to add to my Bucket List: Know how to make a wagon wheel, make a low wall out of living trees, create lace...
September 2, 2013
"It offers you just enough information to understand what they're doing-something to intrigue you with some lovely photographs of the craftsperson at work."
read more: http://likeiamfeasting.blogspot.co.uk...
read more: http://likeiamfeasting.blogspot.co.uk...
January 25, 2014
An interesting book on the history of older crafts and those who still practice them. Not good if you are looking for more practical information. Full review here.
December 27, 2015
Absolutely fascinating
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews