I have been wondering recently if I should change part of the tag line on this website. On Facebook I have found myself being trolled by someone who has taken objection to the fact I used the tag, “handcrafted furniture in a mass-produced world”. They have a real issue when I say that we make things by hand. They have looked at our work and have concluded that it can all be made by machines and therefore must be. The funny thing is that they called me out for making handmade dovetails by a machine when in fact they were made by all by hand.
Part of why I started Paparwark was the fun of making furniture by hand. But it’s interesting that when you start a business many other things become important like making money and efficiency. As much as you would like to do everything by hand machines are a must, especially if you are trying to work to a client’s budget. Part of my philosophy is to help clients get what they are looking for irrespective of whether it is made by hand or with the aid of machines.
Even though I do use a number of machines in my small workshop a lot of the work is still by hand. In fact the whole process of commission work is very hands-on. When using machines there is a lot of skill in setting them accurately. You will find some makers enjoy making jigs so a router can make a complex joint or shape, but in that circumstance, I would rather do it by hand if it’s going to take the same amount of time.
Receiving negative and misleading comments from the online troll made me think about Paparwark’s business brand and how I have worded things to date. I looked at other companies including some much bigger than mine and saw that they still use the term “hand crafted.” I feel that still is a fair description of what I do however I am now thinking about changing the word to “crafting.” To be stuck in a box where I must do everything by hand is crazy. What if I would like to get a CNC machine, heaven forbid! You can make the same joint with the same strength by both hand and machine. If it is the same then why would handmade be better? Of course, there are always the joints that are too complex to make by machine which is therefore fun to do by hand if the client’s budget can stretch to it.
What do you think of the description “crafting” instead of “handcrafted?” What images does that conjure up in your mind? In our workshop we are striving to make excellent furniture using the best blend of hand and machine tools to help speed production without lowering the quality of craftsmanship. In a small workshop working mostly to commission you can be confident that much of the work is still done by hand, where you can find us daily having fun ” handcrafting furniture in a mass-produced world”.
Ignore the troll. Hand-crafted is an excellent description of the work you do. It is used in other businesses where tools are involved … hand crafted beers, gin, jewellery. You are very talented and produce beautiful pieces. Keep on doing what you do best and ignore the troll.
Though I think hand crafted is a fair description of your work maybe ‘individually crafted’ would be a good description and stop the troll? Whatever you decide the quality of your products is easily seen.
I wouldn’t take any notice of the troll. A good craftsman always has the right tools and machines for the job. They also know how to use them to create well-finished pieces.
I agree with Michelle and Nicolette. Your work is exquisite and “handcrafted” is an accurate description of your work. The troll’s logic is flawed on so many levels. So a potter using a Potter’s Wheel has mechanised his craft? A metal worker using a Riveting, Bending & Rolling tool should not describe his riveted piece as handcrafted?
Hi Cecil,
It’s a reflection on your integrity that you’re asking the question.
For mass production, think MFI or ARGOS or IKEA. The machine operators can be trained in a couple of hours in some cases and are therefore low skilled. To reduce wastage and prices, materials that perform consistently, such as MDF and hardboard are used.
Timber is an organic material. There can be many variations from board to board. In batch production a variety of skill levels are required. Setting up the production line is highly skilled, the other operators can be semi-skilled.
The majority of designer / makers would love to use hand tools to make every item. It would be self indulgent. There are makers who are pursuing a hobby, not acting as a manufacturer.There’s no way that they can make a living due to the pricees which a client would have to pay.
To design and manufacture with consistent quality an individual needs a thorough knowledge of the capabilities of the timbers, of the machines, and of the machine operators.
That’s what you do.
I was going to give examples, bang on a lot, but you don’t need to justify yourself.
An individual who objects to the “handcrafted” tag having looked at your work is unaware of any design to manufacture process. He/she displays ignorance through the comments they make.
I’ve heard it said that Andy Scott isn’t a real artist because The Kelpies were manufactured by an engineering firm.
Velasques was effectively a spy because he could get close to powerful people.
It reflects well on you that you’ve asked the question. Don’t answer it again, you don’t need to.
If you want to educate/ inform create a page on your website.
You’re a highly skilled man working effectively to produce beautiful artefacts. Power to your elbow.
Thanks for you awesome comment. I wrote the post when a crazy troll was coming after me for not being a ‘true craftsman’ My skin has toughened up a bit since then. Having an online stalker messed with my head a bit! I’m blessed being able to do what I do whether its by hand or machine! Now that I have trained several people its weird to be able to call yourself a master craftsman and its true!