Métiers d’Art in France are thriving, and a new, young generation of French artisans are continuing a tradition that has made France renowned since the Middle Ages.
FROM Sahara Wilson Aug 12, 2014 at 10:53 AM - Edit - Reply
This was one of the things I loved about living in France – the cultural appreciation for well made goods.
It’s interesting from a historical perspective, Jacqueline, that the Arts and Craft Movement of the late 1800s to early 1900s was really centred around the British isles rather than France. The proliferation of artisan work at that time in the UK and North America was amazing, championed by the very talented William Morris. I suppose where France did not have the same increase of artisans it had a steady flow throughout that period – such that it has been able to retain a large number of artisans when the movement went out of fashion right up into today.
Thanks for sharing with us, it’s a relief to know the artisan market is still very much alive somewhere in the world
FROM Christina Guzman Aug 14, 2014 at 11:41 AM - Edit - Reply
I can only imagine how difficult it would be to get recognition. Like you said, the homogenisation of products and art is definitely suppressing people with talent. To see people feather making and paper sculpting is rare, yet shouldn’t be. Evanela is doing a great job – in a way they’re sa ! ving them from extinction.
Jacqueline Dubois Pasquier Aug 12, 2014 at 3:37 AM - Edit - Reply
Thank you Ellen, Elise and Christina for sharing your thoughts on this topic.Indeed local handmade products are being more appreciated and promoted in all countries. I must admit it was a real surprise to discover such talent at such level of excellence, in unexpected domains (feather-making, paper-sculpting). It is not easy to exist and survive against the hegemony of the famous brands and the ‘made in China’ products. The various Art Schools in France are very selective. You don’t reach that level by chance. The leather-maker told me that in order to remain competitive in matter of pricing, she needed to sell directly her products. Evanela does this amazing job to help them be known to the public. For me there is a lot of humanity in this.
FROM Elise Mellor Aug 13, 2014 at 9:24 AM - Edit - Reply
Christina I am the same as you – I’m not crafty at all but so many of my friends make gorgeous artisan jewellery/accessories/paint/sculpt… it seems like every other weekend I’m attending another artist market to support someone – not that I mind! I also have a few friends that are in the process of applying for grants to carry on their craftiness which is just wonderful: they’re not easy to get but just the fact that our government offers them is good news 🙂
FROM Christina Guzman Aug 11, 2014 at 8:55 PM - Edit - Reply
Having many friends who are pursuing handmade crafts as their profession, it’s great to see that people are getting the support they deserve. It’s not easy making things by hand (especially since i’m terrible at making things) and even harder when you don’t get the recognition you need.
Australia has been quite supportive as of late, creating a lot of buzz most of all through social media and craft websites, showcasing people’s work which is absolutely fantastic!
FROM Elise Mellor Aug 11, 2014 at 5:28 PM - Edit - Reply
We’ve been seeing a resurgence of craft professions here in Australia, too. Artists’ markets are cropping up all over the place and they’re very successful. My guess is that in such a fast-paced modern world where so much is mass-produced and disposable, people are starting to appreciate things that are made by hand, slowly and with care. Things that are unique and borne of someone’s passion and talent.
It’s great to see this happening and even better to see that Evanela is supporting the wonderful people who dedicate themselves to creating beautiful things.
FROM Ellen Burns Aug 11, 2014 at 11:02 AM - Edit - Reply
It’s amazing to see these young people following their passions and keeping the artisan industry alive in France!
Too often these days people go for the cheapest, quickest, easiest, option and that’s how we’ve ended up in a world of sweatshops and overflowing landfills. We need to learn to appreciate good quality products again and recognise the gap between cheap/quick/easy and quality/ethical/long-lasting.
FROM Sahara Wilson Aug 12, 2014 at 10:53 AM - Edit - Reply
This was one of the things I loved about living in France – the cultural appreciation for well made goods.
It’s interesting from a historical perspective, Jacqueline, that the Arts and Craft Movement of the late 1800s to early 1900s was really centred around the British isles rather than France. The proliferation of artisan work at that time in the UK and North America was amazing, championed by the very talented William Morris. I suppose where France did not have the same increase of artisans it had a steady flow throughout that period – such that it has been able to retain a large number of artisans when the movement went out of fashion right up into today.
Thanks for sharing with us, it’s a relief to know the artisan market is still very much alive somewhere in the world
FROM Christina Guzman Aug 14, 2014 at 11:41 AM - Edit - Reply
I can only imagine how difficult it would be to get recognition. Like you said, the homogenisation of products and art is definitely suppressing people with talent. To see people feather making and paper sculpting is rare, yet shouldn’t be. Evanela is doing a great job – in a way they’re sa ! ving them from extinction.
Jacqueline Dubois Pasquier Aug 12, 2014 at 3:37 AM - Edit - Reply
Thank you Ellen, Elise and Christina for sharing your thoughts on this topic.Indeed local handmade products are being more appreciated and promoted in all countries. I must admit it was a real surprise to discover such talent at such level of excellence, in unexpected domains (feather-making, paper-sculpting). It is not easy to exist and survive against the hegemony of the famous brands and the ‘made in China’ products. The various Art Schools in France are very selective. You don’t reach that level by chance. The leather-maker told me that in order to remain competitive in matter of pricing, she needed to sell directly her products. Evanela does this amazing job to help them be known to the public. For me there is a lot of humanity in this.
FROM Christina Guzman Aug 14, 2014 at 11:42 AM - Edit - Reply
artistic markets are so much fun!! you can find a lot of cool stuff there 😀
no grants aren’t easy at all to get but it’s great that they’re there!
FROM Elise Mellor Aug 13, 2014 at 9:24 AM - Edit - Reply
Christina I am the same as you – I’m not crafty at all but so many of my friends make gorgeous artisan jewellery/accessories/paint/sculpt… it seems like every other weekend I’m attending another artist market to support someone – not that I mind! I also have a few friends that are in the process of applying for grants to carry on their craftiness which is just wonderful: they’re not easy to get but just the fact that our government offers them is good news 🙂
FROM Christina Guzman Aug 11, 2014 at 8:55 PM - Edit - Reply
Having many friends who are pursuing handmade crafts as their profession, it’s great to see that people are getting the support they deserve. It’s not easy making things by hand (especially since i’m terrible at making things) and even harder when you don’t get the recognition you need.
Australia has been quite supportive as of late, creating a lot of buzz most of all through social media and craft websites, showcasing people’s work which is absolutely fantastic!
FROM Elise Mellor Aug 11, 2014 at 5:28 PM - Edit - Reply
We’ve been seeing a resurgence of craft professions here in Australia, too. Artists’ markets are cropping up all over the place and they’re very successful. My guess is that in such a fast-paced modern world where so much is mass-produced and disposable, people are starting to appreciate things that are made by hand, slowly and with care. Things that are unique and borne of someone’s passion and talent.
It’s great to see this happening and even better to see that Evanela is supporting the wonderful people who dedicate themselves to creating beautiful things.
FROM Ellen Burns Aug 11, 2014 at 11:02 AM - Edit - Reply
It’s amazing to see these young people following their passions and keeping the artisan industry alive in France!
Too often these days people go for the cheapest, quickest, easiest, option and that’s how we’ve ended up in a world of sweatshops and overflowing landfills. We need to learn to appreciate good quality products again and recognise the gap between cheap/quick/easy and quality/ethical/long-lasting.