America Crafts: the Contemporary Pursuit of a Handmade Material Life
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AMERICA CRAFTS: THE CONTEMPORARY PURSUIT OF A HANDMADE MATERIAL LIFE by Gina Guzzon A Thesis Submitted to the Graduate Faculty of George Mason University in Partial Fulfillment of The Requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts History of Decorative Arts Committee: Director . ~ Program Director Department Chairperson Dean, College of Humanities and Social Sciences Spring Semester 2014 George Mason University Fairfax, VA America Crafts: The Contemporary Pursuit of A Handmade Material Life A Thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts at George Mason University by Gina Guzzon Bachelor of Arts Lehigh University, 2009 Director: Jennifer Van Horn, Professor Department of History of Decorative Art Spring Semester 2014 George Mason University Fairfax, VA This work is licensed under a creative commons attribution-noderivs 3.0 unported license. ii DEDICATION This is dedicated to my family, especially my female relatives. You are an inspiration in more ways than one, keep inspiring. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Without the personal interest, dedication, and expertise of both my thesis advisors, this endeavor would never have been possible. Jennifer, your nudges both big and small have helped me become a better student, thinker, and writer. Jeff, this would not have been written without your original intrigue over a class paper or without your continued enthusiasm over the past two years. I would also like to thank the many individuals who gave me a few minutes of their time over the course of this research—the crafters, DIY-ers, and craft fair participants. Thank you for speaking with me, for sharing your objects and ideas, and of course, for crafting. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS Page List of Figures ................................................................................................................... vii Abstract .............................................................................................................................. xi Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 1 The State of a Crafting Nation ........................................................................................ 6 America’s History with Craft and Art ........................................................................... 10 The Power of Contemporary Craft ................................................................................ 14 Introduction: Figures ..................................................................................................... 19 Chapter One: Crafting Movement’s Roots- handmade’s history ..................................... 26 Americans’ Intellectual Relationship with Objects ....................................................... 28 The Hand-Touched Ideal: The Aesthetic of Contemporary Craft ................................. 31 Consumption of Morals and Moral Non-consumption ................................................. 44 Chapter One: Figures .................................................................................................... 54 Chapter Two: Countercultural Craft- the power of handmade ......................................... 69 Alternative Craft’s Universal Power ............................................................................. 72 Beyond Art versus Craft ................................................................................................ 77 Product to Process: Craftivism for the Masses ............................................................. 82 Diversity in Craftivism .................................................................................................. 89 Chapter Two: Figures .................................................................................................... 96 Chapter Three: New Domesticity- handmade craft and the home ................................. 105 Old versus New ........................................................................................................... 110 Why Women Craft: The Appeal of Hand-making in the Home ................................. 116 Modern Domestic Advice ........................................................................................... 126 Re-inscribing New Meanings on an Old Apron .......................................................... 132 Chapter Three: Figures ................................................................................................ 146 Chapter Four: Mainstreaming of Craft- mechanizing handmade ................................... 159 Craft’s Evolution Out of a Subculture......................................................................... 160 Marketing Craft as Pop Culture .................................................................................. 172 The Impact of Craft’s Popularity ................................................................................ 182 Chapter Four: Figures.................................................................................................. 192 v Conclusion ...................................................................................................................... 221 Conclusion: Figures..................................................................................................... 231 References ....................................................................................................................... 242 vi LIST OF FIGURES Figure Page Figure 1: Flora Charm Bracelet ....................................................................................... 19 Figure 2: Quirky Heirloom Throw .................................................................................... 19 Figure 3: Hand-Loomed Diamond Pillow Cover – Feather Gray/Ivory .......................... 20 Figure 4: Fox Womens Grey ............................................................................................. 20 Figure 5: Hemp Embroidered Women's Classics. ............................................................. 21 Figure 6: Hand Woven Bamboo/ Local Thai Basket ......................................................... 21 Figure 7: Trellis Drop Earrings ........................................................................................ 22 Figure 8: Spray Painted Console Table ............................................................................ 22 Figure 9: Chalkboard paint mason jars ............................................................................ 23 Figure 10: Custom Bench .................................................................................................. 23 Figure 11: Random Walnut Wine Rack ............................................................................. 24 Figure 12: Bow Ties .......................................................................................................... 24 Figure 13: Produce Bag .................................................................................................... 25 Figure 14: Vintage Thai Cloth Bag ................................................................................... 54 Figure 15: Prada Slouchy Backpack ................................................................................. 55 Figure 16: Vintage Louis Vuitton Monogram Alma Satchel ............................................. 55 Figure 17: Peruvian Blue Opal Triangle Statement Necklace, Guitar String Hoop Earrings, Crystal Pyramid Ring ....................................................................................... 56 Figure 18: Godey’s ‘Plate 19. 1845,’; 1870 Kimmel & Forster ....................................... 57 Figure 19: Vase ................................................................................................................. 58 Figure 20: Josiah Wedgewood Jasperware Headboard ................................................... 59 Figure 21: Gustavian Clock .............................................................................................. 59 Figure 22: Do it yourself x-stitch pattern and materials kit (home sweet home) .............. 60 Figure 23: Library Table. .................................................................................................. 60 Figure 24: Product label: Noble Goods ............................................................................ 61 Figure 25: iMac computer. ................................................................................................ 61 Figure 26: Jacquard Leaf Silk Pillow Cover..................................................................... 62 Figure 27: Better Homes and Gardens All-Over Ruffles Pillow ....................................... 62 Figure 28: DIY Felt Circle Pillow. .................................................................................... 63 Figure 29: A Society of Patriotic Ladies ........................................................................... 64 Figure 30: Nightshift Blue ................................................................................................. 65 Figure 31: Writing Arm Windsor Chair ............................................................................ 66 Figure 32: 362 Hastoe Windsor Chair .............................................................................. 67 Figure 33: Hand-finished Stoneware Mixing Bowl ........................................................... 67 Figure 34: Handcarved Luca Dresser and Detail............................................................. 68 Figure