Whether I'm working on my own projects or teaching people, a great day is when a project starts to come together in assembly. What started out as a rough pile of sticks at the beginning of the day begins to take form and transform into a functional and beautiful object.
CAREER
Craft Artists
Overview
Salary Median (2020)
$35,930
Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)
+5.1% (as fast as the average)
Career
Roadtrip Nation Leaders in This Career
What Craft Artists Do
Create or reproduce handmade objects for sale and exhibition using a variety of techniques, such as welding, weaving, pottery, and needlecraft.
Other Job Titles Craft Artists May Have
Artist, Designer, Furniture Maker, Glass Artist
How Leaders Describe a Typical Day at Work
The morning starts by answering emails and interacting with students and clients. I visit the shop to make sure everything is running smoothly. I might empty the dust collectors, purchase sandpaper, prep for an upcoming workshop, or handling shop visits from people who are interested in what we're doing. In addition to the daily work, running my own small business means that there's always a business, legal, or financial matters to deal with. I love the constant challenge.
Tasks & Responsibilities May Include
- Create functional or decorative objects by hand, using a variety of methods and materials.
- Cut, shape, fit, join, mold, or otherwise process materials, using hand tools, power tools, or machinery.
- Apply finishes to objects being crafted.
- Develop concepts or creative ideas for craft objects.
- Select materials for use based on strength, color, texture, balance, weight, size, malleability and other characteristics.
Education
Level of Education Attained by Craft Artists
Most common level of education among people in
this career: Bachelor's degree (24%)
Less than high school diploma
High school diploma or equivalent
Bachelor's degree
Majors Related to Career
Educational Paths Suggested by Leaders
Suggested Path
High School
Vocational
Woodworking, General
Fiber Artist
Suggested Path
High School
Bachelor
Sociology, General
Additional Skills & Experiences That Can Help You Excel
People skills and communication skills are important. I deal with a lot of custom clients, vendors, designers, students and employees and being able to communicate clearly in writing or conversation is crucial. It's important to be someone that others want to work for or work with.
You need to know about customer service and have strong communication, problem-solving, financial management, and project planning skills.
Getting Started
Recommended First Step for:
High School Students
It would be good to start at a tec school or career center to learn welding and fabricating or get an apprenticeship
Woodworker Entrepreneur ,
Search deep down inside and find out what it is you really would love to do for the rest of your life. Educate yourself by reading and learning from others who have been successful in doing it, then start doing it. The best time to start is yesterday, the second best time is now.
Step away from the screen and get your hands dirty. Make things out of whatever materials you have lying around, there is no need to be precious. Make things that are bad or ugly! You'll learn from your mistakes.
College Students
Everyone
This page includes information from theO*NET 26.1 Databaseby the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under theCC BY 4.0license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
