The Origin of the Word “Craft”
The word “craft” goes all the way back to Old English, where it was spelled cræft and originally meant skill, strength, or power. It was used to describe someone who had a special ability, whether that was building a sturdy boat, healing with herbs, or creating something beautiful by hand.
In its earliest use, craft wasn’t just about making things; it was about having a unique talent and using it with care and intention.
By the Middle Ages, the meaning of “craft” expanded to include the work of artisans, like woodworkers,
weavers, metalworkers, and others whose skill combined both technique and imagination. This is when craft guilds began forming across Europe, gathering people who shared the same abilities and passions.
These guilds weren’t just about training; they
were communities. Members learned from one another, supported one another, and took pride in the beautiful and useful things they created.
Today, we still use the word “craft” in that same spirit ...a blend of skill, creativity, and heart. Whether it’s quilting, scrapbooking, painting, or any artistic hobby you enjoy,
crafting taps into something both ancient and deeply human.
Every time you sit down to make something with your hands, you’re participating in a tradition that has been part of our history for over a thousand years. It's reminder that creating isn’t
just productive. It’s soul-nourishing.
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