Craftsmanship

Though he calls himself simply a “songster and storyteller,” Andy Hedges is compiling a rich, unique audio archive of cowboy music and poetry—and bringing the legends of the genre together on CD and stage."The Cowboy Folklorist" originally appeared in Craftsmanship, a digital magazine about master artisans and innovators, and the architecture of excellence. You'll find many more stories, videos, audio recordings, and other resources on our site — free of charge and free of ads.You can see more fantastic photos of cowboy poets by Meredith Lawrence on the Craftsmanship website.   That’s also where you can make a donation to support our independent  journalism. We’re funded by grants and individual donations, and every bit of financial support goes a long way.Written and photographed by MEREDITH LAWRENCEIntroduction by PAULINE BARTOLONENarrated by GÖRAN NORQUISTProduced by PAULINE BARTOLONEMusic by ANDY HEDGES, DOM FLEMONS, RAMBLIN' JACK ELLIOT, JACK THORP, BRENN HILL, MAGGIE ROSE HEDGES, BLUE DOT SESSIONS. 

Ever open a brand new package of clothing and get a strong whiff of chemicals? Journalist Alden Wicker took a deep dive into the chemicals in our clothes in her new book, “To Dye For: How Toxic Fashion is Making Us Sick and How We Can Fight Back.” Craftsmanship Magazine interviewed Wicker about the prevalence of chemicals in clothing, and about the regulatory efforts and personal choices that can keep fashion safe. Written by CRAFTSMANSHIP EDITORSIntroduction by PAULINE BARTOLONENarrated by PAULINE BARTOLONE & ALDEN WICKERProduced by PAULINE BARTOLONEMusic by BLUE DOT SESSIONSYou can find out more about Alden Wicker’s work on ecocult.com, including how to get her new book, “ To Dye For: How Toxic Fashion is Making Us Sick—and How We Can Fight Back.” If you liked this episode, subscribe to Craftsmanship on YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.Craftsmanship Magazine is funded by grants and donations from readers and listeners like you. If you like our journalism, please consider making a donation at craftsmanship.net. Every bit of financial support goes a long way.You can also support us by sharing our work with others. Thanks for listening. Until next time!

A good conductor can lead an orchestra with almost anything — even a chopstick. Leonard Bernstein was known to conduct a full symphony with just his eyebrows. Why, then, in this age of cheap manufacturing, are handmade, customized batons still in demand?Written by JEFF GREENWALDIntroduction by PAULINE BARTOLONENarrated by JEFF GREENWALDProduced by PAULINE BARTOLONEMusic by Town Market by Blue Dot SessionsPalms Down by Blue Dot SessionsBeethoven’s Sixth (Pastorale) SymphonyJean-Baptiste Lully: "Armide"  Rimsky-Korsakov’s “Scheherazade" by Sinfonia de GaliciaMusic of the Ancient World: Sumerian Music I 

When a promising rock musician tired of the road and the pressure, he gave up music and got a job at a hardware store. Then one day, he had a revelation."The Cigar Box Guitar Maker" originally appeared in Craftsmanship, a digital magazine about master artisans and innovators, and the architecture of excellence. You'll find many more stories, videos, audio recordings, and other resources on our site — free of charge and free of ads.Written by NANCY LEBRUNIntroduction by PAULINE BARTOLONENarrated by AVANTHIKA SRINIVASANProduced by PAULINE BARTOLONEMusic by MIKE SNOWDEN, CODA TUITION, JEROME GRAILLE

When Hohner, the world’s largest harmonica manufacturer, changed its flagship model (and in the process, its signature sound), a few musicians and harp customizers waged a quiet rebellion—and won."The Return of the Harmonica" originally appeared in Craftsmanship, a digital magazine about master artisans and innovators, and the architecture of excellence. You'll find many more stories, videos, audio recordings, and other resources on our site — free of charge and free of ads.Written by BEN MARKSIntroduction by KATHERINE MONAHANNarrated by GORAN NORQUISTProduced by KATHERINE MONAHANMusic by MIKE SNOWDEN / BLUE DOT SESSIONS

Oboists can spend more time making reeds for their instrument than playing their music. One such musician, the comic monologist Josh Kornbluth, has a lot to say about reed making's painfully exacting process."The Agony and the Ecstasy of an Oboe Reed Maker" originally appeared in Craftsmanship, a digital magazine about master artisans and innovators, and the architecture of excellence. You'll find many more stories, videos, audio recordings, and other resources on our site — free of charge and free of ads.Written by JEFF GREENWALDIntroduction by KATHERINE MONAHANNarrated by JEFF GREENWALDProduced by KATHERINE MONAHANMusic by MIKE SNOWDEN / BLUE DOT SESSIONS

The late Butch Morris, a figure from the outer edges of jazz, reimagined conducting as a form of composition, coining his own word for the combination of the two."The Conductionist" originally appeared in Craftsmanship Quarterly, a multimedia, online magazine about artisans, innovators, and the architecture of excellence. You'll find many more stories, videos, audio recordings, and other resources on our site — all free of charge and free of advertising.Written by FRANCIS DAVISIntroduction by CHRIS EGUSANarrated by MITCH GREENBERGProduced by CHRIS EGUSAMusic by MIKE SNOWDEN / BLUE DOT SESSIONS

In the inner city neighborhoods of Providence, Rhode Island, Janice O'Donnell set up playgrounds where kids could build anything they want, and break anything they want. She has been stunned by what everyone has learned in the process."The Play Gap" originally appeared in the Spring 2019 issue of Craftsmanship Quarterly, a multimedia, online magazine about artisans, innovators, and the architecture of excellence. You'll find many more stories, videos, audio recordings, and other resources on our site — all free of charge and free of advertising.Written by TODD OPPENHEIMERIntroduction by CHRIS EGUSANarrated by AVANTHIKA SRINIVASANProduced by CHRIS EGUSAMusic by MIKE SNOWDEN / BLUE DOT SESSIONS

A bicycle made of bamboo might look a little silly—brown and fat, with swollen joints. But Craig Calfee, a respected pioneer of carbon fiber bicycle frames, swears by their strength, flexibility, and ecological value."What? A Bamboo Bicycle?" originally appeared in the Summer 2016 issue of Craftsmanship Quarterly, a multimedia, online magazine about artisans, innovators, and the architecture of excellence. You'll find many more stories, videos, audio recordings, and other resources on our site — all free of charge and free of advertising.Written by JEFF GREENWALDIntroduction by CHRIS EGUSANarrated by JEFF GREENWALDProduced by CHRIS EGUSAMusic by MIKE SNOWDEN / BLUE DOT SESSIONS

Jill Giordano makes women’s clothing with fine fabrics in timeless styles, and in combinations that can be mixed and matched in multiple ways. The goal: Improve your look, save the planet, and save money."The Antidote to Fast Fashion? System Dressing" originally appeared in the Fall 2017 issue of Craftsmanship Quarterly, a multimedia, online magazine about artisans, innovators, and the architecture of excellence. You'll find many more stories, videos, audio recordings, and other resources on our site — all free of charge and free of advertising.Written by LAURA FRASERIntroduction by CHRIS EGUSANarrated by LINDSAY SCHERBARTHProduced by CHRIS EGUSAMusic by MIKE SNOWDEN / BLUE DOT SESSIONS

In Japan, an aging population, declining birthrate, and a concentrating of jobs in the major cities, has left rural areas across the Japanese countryside littered with abandoned houses—known as akiya, or “empty homes.” Now, a movement is on the rise to repurpose and enliven them with artistry and craft. "Can Japan’s Akiya Movement Rebuild Rural Communities?" originally appeared in the Summer 2020 issue of Craftsmanship Quarterly, a multimedia, online magazine about artisans, innovators, and the architecture of excellence. You'll find many more stories, videos, audio recordings, and other resources on our site — all free of charge and free of advertising.Written by KIMBERLY HUGHESIntroduction by CHRIS EGUSANarrated by CHRIS EGUSAProduced by CHRIS EGUSAMusic by MIKE SNOWDEN / BLUE DOT SESSIONS

Ross Shafer made his mark creating a popular brand of mountain bikes, called Salsa, and a line of small but crucial bicycle parts that no one had brought to the market before. Now he’s making what might be the world’s most beautiful “pedal steel guitar.” Could Shafer’s relentless eclecticism offer a model for a second Renaissance?"From bicycles to “pedal steel” guitars: One maker’s quirky frontiers" originally appeared in the Summer 2016 issue of Craftsmanship Quarterly, a multimedia, online magazine about artisans, innovators, and the architecture of excellence. You'll find many more stories, videos, audio recordings, and other resources on our site — all free of charge and free of advertising.Written by OWEN EDWARDSIntroduction by CHRIS EGUSANarrated by MITCH GREENBERGProduced by CHRIS EGUSAMusic by MIKE SNOWDEN / BLUE DOT SESSIONS

In 19th century England, miniature theatrical productions were all the rage. And they weren’t just for kids — children and adults alike collected intricately printed paper cutouts of their favorite theater actors, along with the theaters in which they performed, and acted out famous plays. And beyond just entertainment, these toy theater kits served as the PR campaigns of the day."The Rise and Fall of Toy Theater" originally appeared in the Winter 2016 issue of Craftsmanship Quarterly, a multimedia, online magazine about artisans, innovators, and the architecture of excellence. You'll find many more stories, videos, audio recordings, and other resources on our site — all free of charge and free of advertising.Written by GARRETT EPPSIntroduction by CHRIS EGUSANarrated by GÖRAN NORQUISTProduced by CHRIS EGUSAMusic by MIKE SNOWDEN / BLUE DOT SESSIONS

"How I stumbled upon the world’s most perfect eating utensil": Owen Edwards pays homage to the humble, essential spoon, particularly the version designed by the late, great Massimo Vignelli."Spoonism" originally appeared in the Spring 2021 issue of Craftsmanship Quarterly, a multimedia, online magazine about artisans, innovators, and the architecture of excellence. You'll find many more stories, videos, audio recordings, and other resources on our site — all free of charge and free of advertising.Written by OWEN EDWARDSIntroduction by CHRIS EGUSANarrated by CHRIS EGUSAProduced by CHRIS EGUSAMusic by MIKE SNOWDEN / BLUE DOT SESSIONS

Our Fall 2022 guest editor, RoseMary Diaz, talks with Craftsmanship Quarterly's managing editor, Laurie Weed, about growing up "half-Indian" in Northern New Mexico; the surprising controversy around "art" vs. "craft;" and the story behind the stories of our first issue focused on Native American craft. You'll find all the Fall 2022 offerings on "Native American Craft: The Southwest" at Craftsmanship Quarterly, a multimedia, online magazine about artisans, innovators, and the architecture of excellence. All stories, videos, audio recordings, and other resources on our site are currently available free of charge and free of advertising.Written by CRAFTSMANSHIP EDITORSIntroduction by CHRIS EGUSANarrated by LAURIE WEED & ROSEMARY DIAZProduced by CHRIS EGUSAMusic by MIKE SNOWDEN / BLUE DOT SESSIONS

When an American made, quartz watch costs up to $1,500, and its counterparts from other countries, including Switzerland, range from $50 to more than $50,000, what’s the difference between them?"The Value of Time" originally appeared in the Spring 2015 issue of Craftsmanship Quarterly, a multimedia, online magazine about artisans, innovators, and the architecture of excellence. You'll find many more stories, videos, audio recordings, and other resources on our site — all free of charge and free of advertising.Written by TODD OPPENHEIMERIntroduction by CHRIS EGUSANarrated by CHRIS EGUSAProduced by CHRIS EGUSAMusic by MIKE SNOWDEN / BLUE DOT SESSIONS

Felipe Ortega was known for his controversial opinions on culture, as well as his expertise with an unusual form of pottery. He devoted his life to bucking tradition, in more ways than one.Editor’s Note: This story has been updated from the original version, which was first published in our Spring 2015 issue. This update contains historical and culturally-based corrections, along with new reporting. "The Clay Conjurer" originally appeared in the Spring 2015 issue of Craftsmanship Quarterly, a multimedia, online magazine about artisans, innovators, and the architecture of excellence. You'll find many more stories, videos, audio recordings, and other resources on our site — all free of charge and free of advertising.Written by DEBORAH BUSEMEYERIntroduction by CHRIS EGUSANarrated by JILL SCOTT MOMADAYProduced by CHRIS EGUSAMusic by MIKE SNOWDEN / BLUE DOT SESSIONS

Michael Montenegro is driven to put the products of his imagination into tangible, active forms. After he builds them—often in life-size form, with a rag-tag collage of materials—he becomes them, lives inside them, then delivers them to us with a zany vigor."The Puppeteer" originally appeared in the Summer 2015 issue of Craftsmanship Quarterly, a multimedia, online magazine about artisans, innovators, and the architecture of excellence. You'll find many more stories, videos, audio recordings, and other resources on our site — all free of charge and free of advertising.Written by LORI ROTENBERKIntroduction by CHRIS EGUSANarrated by GÖRAN NORQUISTProduced by CHRIS EGUSAMusic by MIKE SNOWDEN / BLUE DOT SESSIONS

Pandemic, political strife, poverty, war. In times of extreme upheaval—global or personal—can the act of art-making ease suffering and strengthen resilience?"Shrine and the Art of Resilience" originally appeared in the Summer 2022 issue of Craftsmanship Quarterly, a multimedia, online magazine about artisans, innovators, and the architecture of excellence. You'll find many more stories, videos, audio recordings, and other resources on our site — all free of charge and free of advertising.Written by MELINDA MISURACAIntroduction by CHRIS EGUSANarrated by LINDSAY SCHERBARTHProduced by CHRIS EGUSAMusic by MIKE SNOWDEN / BLUE DOT SESSIONS

Eager to begin his life's work as a craftsman, Jack Mauch left high school at age 16, preferring to carve out his own path. By the time he hit his early 30s, he was already creating breathtaking examples of craftsmanship, in everything from furniture-making to ceramics to metalwork."A New Renaissance Man" originally appeared in the Spring 2018 issue of Craftsmanship Quarterly, a multimedia, online magazine about artisans, innovators, and the architecture of excellence. You'll find many more stories, videos, audio recordings, and other resources on our site — all free of charge and free of advertising.Written by NATALIE JONESIntroduction by CHRIS EGUSANarrated by NATALIE JONESProduced by CHRIS EGUSAMusic by MIKE SNOWDEN / BLUE DOT SESSIONS