What Do Craft Artists Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Craft Artists create or reproduce hand-made objects for sale and exhibition using a variety of techniques, such as welding, weaving, pottery, and needlecraft. They also create functional or decorative objects by hand, using a variety of methods and materials.

Other tasks include:

• 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.
• Advertise products and work, using media such as internet advertising and brochures.
• Set specifications for materials, dimensions, and finishes.

We asked Craft Artists how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

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68% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 49% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Craft Artists create functional or decorative objects by hand, using a variety of methods and materials. They cut, shape, fit, join, mold, or otherwise process materials, using hand tools, power tools, or machinery.

A typical day for a Craft Artist will also include:

• Select materials for use based on strength, color, texture, balance, weight, size, malleability and other characteristics.
• Apply finishes to objects being crafted.
• Set specifications for materials, dimensions, and finishes.
• Develop concepts or creative ideas for craft objects.
• Advertise products and work, using media such as internet advertising and brochures.

We asked some Craft Artists a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

	Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job?	45% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	21% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	21% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	30% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	0% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	18% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Craft Artists also plan and attend craft shows to market products. They may also sketch or draw objects to be crafted.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Craft Artists Apply finishes to objects being crafted. They might also Confer with customers to assess customer needs or obtain feedback.

In addition, they Research craft trends, venues, and customer buying patterns to inspire designs and marketing strategies.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Create prototypes or models of objects to be crafted.

To some Craft Artists, it is also their responsibility to Develop product packaging, display, and pricing strategies.

Working life

More than 40 hours per week

Irregular work schedule that changes depending on weather conditions, customer demand or contract duration.

In a typical work week as a Craft Artist, you can expect to work more than 40 hours per week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules..

They also like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

Explore other careers

http://www.bls.gov/OOH/arts-and-design/craft-and-fine-artists.htm

http://nasad.arts-accredit.org/

http://www.craftcouncil.org/

https://www.nyfa.org/