Craftsmanship The Craftsmanship Initiative

Though he calls himself simply a “songster and storyteller,” Andy Hedges is compiling a rich, unique audio archive of cowboy music and poetry—and bringing the legends of the genre together on CD and stage."The Cowboy Folklorist" originally appeared in Craftsmanship, a digital magazine about master artisans and innovators, and the architecture of excellence. You'll find many more stories, videos, audio recordings, and other resources on our site — free of charge and free of ads.You can see mor...

Ever open a brand new package of clothing and get a strong whiff of chemicals? Journalist Alden Wicker took a deep dive into the chemicals in our clothes in her new book, “To Dye For: How Toxic Fashion is Making Us Sick and How We Can Fight Back.” Craftsmanship Magazine interviewed Wicker about the prevalence of chemicals in clothing, and about the regulatory efforts and personal choices that can keep fashion safe. Written by CRAFTSMANSHIP EDITORSIntroduction by PAULINE BARTOLONENar...

Our hands are deep in a new audio project - a series of interviews with master artisans and craftspeople. We’ll be talking to makers of culturally distinct crafts from around the world - about their passion, and secrets to their mastery.We’ll hear from a horsehair hitcher in Montana, a compost king in Oregon, and about Greece’s secret to honey making. And there will be many more stories.Look out for the series starting in January 2024, on our website - craftsmanship.net. In the mea...

A good conductor can lead an orchestra with almost anything — even a chopstick. Leonard Bernstein was known to conduct a full symphony with just his eyebrows. Why, then, in this age of cheap manufacturing, are handmade, customized batons still in demand?Written by JEFF GREENWALDIntroduction by PAULINE BARTOLONENarrated by JEFF GREENWALDProduced by PAULINE BARTOLONEMusic by Town Market by Blue Dot SessionsPalms Down by Blue Dot SessionsBeethoven’s Sixth (Pastorale) SymphonyJean-Baptiste Lully:...

When a promising rock musician tired of the road and the pressure, he gave up music and got a job at a hardware store. Then one day, he had a revelation."The Cigar Box Guitar Maker" originally appeared in Craftsmanship, a digital magazine about master artisans and innovators, and the architecture of excellence. You'll find many more stories, videos, audio recordings, and other resources on our site — free of charge and free of ads.Written by NANCY LEBRUNIntroduction by PAULINE BARTOLONENarrat...

When Hohner, the world’s largest harmonica manufacturer, changed its flagship model (and in the process, its signature sound), a few musicians and harp customizers waged a quiet rebellion—and won."The Return of the Harmonica" originally appeared in Craftsmanship, a digital magazine about master artisans and innovators, and the architecture of excellence. You'll find many more stories, videos, audio recordings, and other resources on our site — free of charge and free of ads.Written by BEN MAR...