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Book Ideas:  Endagered Arts & Professions  |
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jackie v
Farmgirl in Training
25 Posts
jackie
easthampton
ma
USA
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 Posted - Mar 23 2011 : 4:32:35 PM
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| I wonder if the state of the economy will "force" these skills and trades to re-emerge. I mean..we all have essential things to live..clothes,food,shelter,etc...Sure we can keep sending all our manufacturing overseas (another hot topic!) but eventually people will get sick of paying out their hard earned money for cheap inferior product. I can guarantee that the shirt that I made will last 10 times longer then the shirt that I bought at Wally World for $8. |
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Lady Woodworker
True Blue Farmgirl
259 Posts
Karen
Chamberlain
Maine
USA
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Posted - Mar 23 2011 : 5:53:38 PM
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Jackie I think you're on to something,
Yes, it could well cause a Renaissance of old ways. In fact, I think it is slowly coming to pass.
That would be a nice silver lining to all our economic woes, wouldn't it be?
Also, I think it is causing people to look for quality in all things (you touched on this too). I have based a big part of my woodworking career on the bet that more and more people would come to discern and to desire quality over quantity and cheapness. So far, it's worked out reasonably well for me.
A friend of mine owns a kitchen store and she has recently expanded to a second location. Puzzled and amazed I asked her how she did it--especially in these times. She said that mostly she stuck to her habit of stocking high quality products rather than reacting and trying to carry a lot of inexpensive gadgets that people might buy on impulse. Her business is thriving.
And beyond making and buying and trading for things,
this kind of thinking extends to other parts of our lives.
We look for better experiences and greater purpose.
Thanks for the wonderful topic!
Karen
Farmgirl Sister # 2419 |
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walkinwalkoutcattle
True Blue Farmgirl
1675 Posts
Megan
Paint Lick
KY
USA
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Posted - Mar 24 2011 : 03:20:01 AM
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Karen, I work next to a man named Don Weber, a woodwoorker who uses very primitive tools to make his pieces, and i applaud your skill!!! It's amazing to watch woodworkers in action.
Farmgirl #2879 :)
Starbucks and sushi to green fried tomatoes and corn pudding-I wouldn't change it for the world.
www.cattleandcupcakes.blogspot.com
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Lady Woodworker
True Blue Farmgirl
259 Posts
Karen
Chamberlain
Maine
USA
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Posted - Mar 25 2011 : 06:56:08 AM
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Wow Megan,
What a small world. I KNOW Don (by phone and email). I recently worked with him. I was his editor when he wrote an article for the magazine I work for. He is amazing. He wrote an article for us about his Viking tool chest. Don possesses a treasure-trove of artisan skills. You're very lucky to be his neighbor, I think. Do you do that kind of work too?
By the way, what a wonderful-sounding town. Who wouldn't want to live in a place called Paint Lick, Kentucky?
Please tell Don that Karen Wales said hello!
Best,
Karen
Farmgirl Sister # 2419 |
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cynfullypurple
True Blue Farmgirl
189 Posts
Cynthia
Endwell
NY
USA
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Posted - Apr 02 2011 : 1:35:08 PM
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I just had a 1935-38 Singer sewing machine restored from the only guy left in my area that does this type of thing. He says he has customers from ALL over the out lying areas that bring there machines in to be serviced. He says he even works with the Amish to repair their treadle machines. When he took my machine in he told me he had 38 machines ahead of mine! His family has been doing this for 85 years and he's the last in line. They used to have 3 shops throughout this area, but are now just down to the one with only one other person working with him.
As for librarians, I could only wish there weren't so many of us! There are plenty of schools out there that offer MSLIS degrees, especially now that we have the Internet and many of the programs are done online. I got mine from Syracuse University and did it pretty much online. The problem is there aren't enough people retiring as was expected before the economic fall out in 08. Those that would have retired can not afford to and even if they do a lot of public libraries are not replacing the librarians that retire. We had 3 retire from one of our public libraries in the area and the YA librarian left for Nevada and they won't replace any of them due to a hiring freeze. Also, for every job I apply to I've been told that there are anywhere from 60-80 + people applying for the same job. It is so discouraging, because I worked so hard to get my degrees thinking I would finally be able to take care of myself and my son. I worked one year in a middle school library, but got let go due to budget cuts:(
Have to say I was half tempted to ask the sewing machine guy if he would teach me the trade, as he seems pretty busy:)
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
Farmgirl #2817 |
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Oggie
True Blue Farmgirl
484 Posts
Ginny
Machias
Maine
USA
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Posted - Apr 04 2011 : 5:40:18 PM
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We have people all over my area that do all of these arts too. Karen may have gone to the boat school in Eastport, Maine. It's been here for years. I also know people who design & build fishing boats. I've had a chimney sweep do my chimney's for 30 years! We have a guy who fixes & services sewing machines and vacuums, lots of seamstress's too. So I do think it's where you live. Having only two weekly papers, they all advertise in the same place, unlike an urban area. We had a gentlemen who sharpened everything that needed it until he died, and we had a cobbler until he died too. Also a man who fixed clocks and watches but wasn't a jeweler.
My friends and I started a festival a few years back (Margaretta Day Festival) to educate people on how our ancestors lived during the Revolutionary War. Our town was started in 1763 and we are known for being where the first Naval battle took place and the start of the Merchant Marine. So the festival is a period festival set in the 1770's and all of our demonstrators let folks (especially kids) do hands on if possible. We have re-enactors that camp out and show how people lived back then too. But I will admit, it is hard to get people to our festival and it's either because of where we live or they want to be paid and we are to small for that yet. But we do find locally basket makers, blacksmiths, furriers, timber builders, weavers, papermakers, & book binder, even tomahawk throwers.
The kids love it!! They dress the part and run around barefoot playing games we have for them that were played then. They love trying the different food too. We make a big pot of venison stew for them to try. We also have an "antler toss" that is a big hit! sorry, I get excited about it. :)
Ginny
Farmgirl #2343
www.thedewhopinn.com
"I always have a wonderful time, wherever I am, whomever I'm with."
"Well, I've wrestled with reality for 35 years, Doctor, and I'm happy to state I finally won out over it." Both by Elwood P. Dowd (Jimmy Stewart) in the Movie Harvey
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Lady Woodworker
True Blue Farmgirl
259 Posts
Karen
Chamberlain
Maine
USA
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Posted - Apr 05 2011 : 3:20:36 PM
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Hi Ginny,
Thanks for thinking of me. I went to the Landing School
(another boatbuilding school) in southern Maine but the Eastport boatbuilding school also has a fine reputation.
Your festival day sounds absolutely wonderful!
Karen
Farmgirl Sister # 2419 |
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walkinwalkoutcattle
True Blue Farmgirl
1675 Posts
Megan
Paint Lick
KY
USA
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Posted - Apr 14 2011 : 03:39:21 AM
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Karen, how cool! LOL-small world indeed. I actually am the office manager for the business next door. I'll have to ask him about you!!! :)
Farmgirl #2879 :)
Starbucks and sushi to green fried tomatoes and corn pudding-I wouldn't change it for the world.
www.cattleandcupcakes.blogspot.com
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KD Earthwork
True Blue Farmgirl
194 Posts
Katie
Gualala
Calif.
USA
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CMac
True Blue Farmgirl
1074 Posts
Connie
Ashland City
TN
USA
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Posted - Apr 14 2011 : 08:08:21 AM
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Stone Masons! Tried to find one of those lately?
Hiring teens would be great if you could get them to work hard, stay focused and show up as scheduled. When managing the kids is as much work as doing it yourself it does not pay to bother with them. We have found a few that are great kids. All but one are off to college now.
I worked tobacco when I was paying for college back in the 70's. We were a motley crew of all ages, colors, and with me there, sexes. When I pass fields being worked today i don't see any caucasian teen agers. What are the kids in rural communities doing? Do they work? The kid on the farm down the road is actively farming. Cattle, pigs, chickens, goats and various crops. I see him working all the time. I don't see them on tractors on the road like i used to. I loved seeing those gangly boys to young to drive a car so proud to be driving that tractor taking themselves so seriously. I attend 4-H shows and auctions and see that those kids are busy. Is it that the non farm kids aren't willing to do seasonal farm work anymore? Are parents not available to drive them? I don't know the answer but I would be willing to be part of the solution if I could just find those kids!
Connie
"I have three chairs in my house: one for solitude, two for friendship, three for company."
Author: Henry David Thoreau |
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Bensgrandma
True Blue Farmgirl
181 Posts
Alexis
White Oak
PA
USA
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kiminca
Farmgirl in Training
21 Posts
Kim
Ontario
CA
USA
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Posted - Apr 15 2011 : 10:32:15 AM
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| The skill of caning and rushing chairs? Refinishing furniture (especially in a way that won't kill you..), basket weaving--remember Little House on the Prairie and how Ma wove her own sun hat? |
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CMac
True Blue Farmgirl
1074 Posts
Connie
Ashland City
TN
USA
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Posted - Apr 15 2011 : 10:37:25 AM
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Kim your post made me think. Many of the things we see disappearing here are going strong in other countries. Especially less developed countries. Price of progress?
Connie
"I have three chairs in my house: one for solitude, two for friendship, three for company."
Author: Henry David Thoreau |
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sunshine
True Blue Farmgirl
4868 Posts
Wendy
Utah
USA
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walkinwalkoutcattle
True Blue Farmgirl
1675 Posts
Megan
Paint Lick
KY
USA
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Posted - Apr 16 2011 : 03:35:28 AM
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Sunshine, this is off topic, but, how cool that you wrote that crochet book! :)
Farmgirl #2879 :)
Starbucks and sushi to green fried tomatoes and corn pudding-I wouldn't change it for the world.
www.cattleandcupcakes.blogspot.com
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Book Ideas: Endagered Arts & Professions |
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Endagered Arts & Professions
