The Craft and the Makers showcases savvy businesses that are choosing to focus on craftsmanship and aiming to create things with a soul. A decisive role is played by melding tradition and innovation -from the raw materials used to the finished product. The book introduces small enterprises as well as the personalities that drive them. These artisans are using their skills to produce handicraft that meets the highest standards. Whether furniture, porcelain, or leather goods, all of the products featured here offer today’s true luxury: the perfect fusion of creativity and craftsmanship that results in quality and durability. Reflecting this spirit, every page is a testament to the products created with heart that are much more than a sum of their parts.

This very good book really shows the essence of craft as the first pages explain.

It could easily have been one of the subjects described in the pages on Makers: it is made with all love and care for material, the craftsmanship of the craft of writers, editors, layout persons and printer involved and is one of the few books released lately on the hip subject craft and making. From leatherworkers, fashion designer, pottery workshop, soap maker, pipe organ builder, carpet designer, woodworkers, fabric manufacture and textile design to glass makers, all 41 makers have pages with well-written text and very good photos on the people involved, the atelier or workshop, the making, the tools, the objects made and graphical material. It is a real feast to read the book and to understand we can’t do without these makers, making our lives more livable.
This book is a must for all design schools and persons interested in arts and crafts to understand that by the loss of copying only, we will lose knowledge, practice, tradition, and good design.
Angela van der Burght