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In its far-ranging and comprehensive scope, Crafting: Transforming Materials & the Maker is at once both a manual and a manifesto for crafters and craft enthusiasts the world over. A must-have for any craft and educational library, it is a volume that draws together an unparalleled range of craftspeople, practitioners and educationalists from a mix of backgrounds so eclectic that the overall feel of this volume is one of refreshing new perspectives on age-old issues. It is underpinned throughout by critical thinking on a range of social, economic, cultural and ecological debates, and is committed on the seriousness with which we must engage hands-on and outdoor learning as part of a curriculum that values the individual and celebrates the human position within the planet. This is a book that causes us to rethink what constitutes wisdom and knowledge in an age that has detached us from that which defines us as both thinkers and makers. The context of craft, an overview of craft history and the development of a tradition, along with the spiritual underpinning and deep origins of craft production, are all given a thorough review before chapters that embark on an exploration of fabrics, leather, baskets, green wood, pottery, and metal – and glass-working. This timely contribution to the world of contemporary craft revival is a book that is to be applauded for the manner in which it will engage a wide and diverse audience. From master craftsperson to novice beginner, from enthusiast to critic, Crafting: Transforming Materials & the Maker will be an inevitable source of inspiration and an invocation for social change. I certainly envisage it won’t be long before my own copy is well-thumbed as a consequence of repeated visits to its passionately written chapters. |