IRAN ART EXHIBITION: THE IMPORTANT ROLE OF MATERIALS AND TOOLS IN HANDCRAFTING
In theory, the true and correct answer to this question is it depends where you are located. The word indigenous means native or local, and so indigenous materials are the materials which can be found in the area local to you. Therefore anything which you can make using local produce would be counted as handicraft from indigenous materials. Examples of indigenous materials could include:
• Wood
• Metals
• Glass
• Coal
• Cotton
• Wool
• Porcelain
• Gemstones or general stone
• Shells
• Hard nut shells
Many crafts use local material as this is what can be sourced relatively cheaply and easily with no transportation costs to factor in. Often materials which are abundant in certain areas will end up being symbolic of the region and will often be used to make crafts which will be sold in the area’s gift shops. These materials can also be symbolic of certain trades of the region, for example in some areas of the UK where coal mining was the main industry; coal carving was a popular handicraft activity. Pieces of coal are carved into local animals or even historical places of interest and sold throughout the region in a variety of craft and local shops.
IRAN ART EXHIBITION: Just about any material can be used in handicrafts, it just takes some imagination. Find items in your area whether it be stones, wood or shells from the local beach or cheap off-cuts or remnants of mined products; these will be available cheaply and can be easily made into very beautiful craft items and even sold on to local shops, especially if you live in a touristy area.
IRAN ART EXHIBITION: Handicraft and woodworking utilize a wide range of tools and materials to create crafts, decorative objects, furniture and implements. Some crafts, such as beadwork, involve only small hand tools, while endeavors such as cabinetmaking often require an a shop full of power tools. The materials used for handicrafts are limited only by the imagination of the craftsperson.
Hand Tools
Hand tools are generally used for applications that require less power and greater finesse. In woodworking, operations such as finish planing and dovetail cutting are frequently done with hand planes and small hand saws. Handicrafts can involve the use of hand tools including needles, glass cutters, looms, spinners and presses. Hand tools allow the craftsperson to remain connected to the work without the excess power and noise of power tools. It is necessary to learn how to use hand tools properly and to maintain them so that they work at a high level of precision.
Power Tools
Power tools can help the hobbiest avoid difficult drudgery, particularly in woodworking. Power jointers and planers take the rough surfaces off of lumber and flatten boards so they can be used to build precision furniture. Power saws remove the time and labor required to cut boards by hand. For best results, power tools must be maintained regularly, with their blades, knives and cutting edges kept razor sharp. Because they are so powerful, misuse of these tools can result in irreparable mistakes during a project, as well as potential safety hazards.
Lumber
Woodworkers utilize many different kinds of wood. Kiln-dried hardwoods are purchased at lumber stores for cabinetmaking. When lumber is kiln-dried, its moisture content is reduced to around seven percent, ensuring that it will not warp, swell and shrink after it has been made into furniture. Some cabinetmakers, particularly chair builders, prefer to work with green wood. Traditional chair makers can build chairs of ash that has been cut from a recently downed tree. The green wood is typically easier to work with hand tools.
Craft Materials
IRAN ART EXHIBITION: Handicrafts utilize a wide variety of materials. Sewers and knitters use thread, yarn and fabrics, and sometimes create these materials themselves with spinners and looms. Glassblowers use molten glass and kilns, while stained glass workers make creations out of hard sheets of colored glass. Many people engage in crafts with children, and use household objects such as scrap cloth, newspaper, glue and macaroni for creative art supplies.
