What are you using this crafted piece for? Is it appropriate and safe in the space?
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Do you know how to properly care for this particular piece?
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Is the design appropriate to the piece’s function?
consider...
Have the fibre materials been treated to be lightfast/colourfast before use?
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Does the labeling identify any washing or care instructions?
What health standards apply to this piece? Learn more by becoming familiar with the Hazardous Products Act.
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...ask the artist about
basketry
identifying features
Baskets are typically hand-woven out of a pliable material and can come in a range of sizes, shapes, and colours. Basketry often uses fibres.
properties
There are a variety of materials that can be used to make a basket, including natural materials such as bark, willow, cedar, grasses, rushes, plant leaves, and reed from the rattan vine. However, other materials can also be used, such as plastic webbing, paper, cardboard, wire, wool, clothes pegs, zippers, and cable ties, really anything you can form.
common uses
Aside from the obvious application in making baskets and similar containers, basketry can be used to make lampshades, wall decorations, mats, bassinets, sculptural works, and habitable structures such as the Nest in Beijing.
techniques
Basketry techniques are referred to as weaving, of which there are many different types:
Coiling: Coiling begins at the centre of a basket and continues to build in spiral rounds, with each new round attached to the round before.
Plain Weave: Also known as plaiting or checkerwork, two elements are woven over and under each other at right angles.
Randing: In randing, the artist weaves a single rod around the stakes of a basket, in front then behind, and so on.
Twill: Twilled weave is similar to a plain weave except that the weft (horizontal) materials are woven over two or more warps (verticals).
Twining: Twined work begins with a foundation of stiff warps (vertical) such as whole plant shoots, around which two, and sometimes three or four, weft (horizontal) elements are woven. The wefts are separated, brought around a stationary warp rod, and twisted together. The action is repeated again and again, building the basket.
glossary
Warp: The material that is positioned vertically in relation to the base of the basket.
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Weft: The material that is positioned horizontally in relation to the base of the basket. How the weft is controlled usually determines the type of weave being used, with a notable exception being coiling.
leather
identifying features
Leather is a flexible material made of natural fibres. It comes in a variety of different natural shades, light to dark, depending on what tanning techniques and exposure the animal rawhide endures. Today, leather can be virtually any colour of the rainbow, dyed through artificial means for various fashion and commercial products.
properties
Leather is favoured for its marriage between flexibility and extreme durability, subject to proper care. Leather is commonly made from cattle hide. However, other natural sources include deer, ostrich, and alligator, which are much more prevalent in the fashion industry where they are celebrated for their unique patterns. While leather has an excellent resistance to abrasion, it still requires its own protective precautions. High temperatures, humidity fluctuations, dust, pollution, and insects can all degrade leather, shortening its lifespan. You can buy leather-friendly shampoos, oils, and polishes at most grocery and leather stores to help prevent cracking, drying, etc.
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As vegetarianism and veganism have become increasingly popular, artificial leathers (faux or vegan leather) have become more prevalent in the textile trade. While composed of artificial fibres, they can often appear quite similar to real leather goods. Thus, it is always important to check labels to ensure you know what you are buying, and how to care for your particular product.
common uses
Leather is great for accessories such as shoes, belts, watch straps, and wallets, but is also used in protective apparel for motorcyclists and athletic footwear such as soccer cleats. It is often used in stationary, including bookbinding, moleskins, and outer cases for your electronics. Leather continues to be a popular material in the home, in the making of furniture, namely couches, and even wallpaper.
techniques
Pyrography: The ornamentation of wood or leather by burning the design into the surface of the leather using a controlled, heated tool, typically a metal point known as a poker.
Tanning: The process of treating raw animal hides to produce leather, then made into various leather goods. Tanning makes the hide more durable and less resistant to decomposition, and it sometimes works to colour the hide.
glossary
Saddle Soap: Used for cleaning, conditioning, and protecting leather, it is typically composed of mild soap, softening ingredients (wool wax), and preservatives (beeswax). Its name comes from its common use on leathers found on the horse track.
Although leather is not a fibre, it is considered to be a fabric. For more information on techniques and terms relating to fabrics please see the fibre page
liquid polymer
identifying features
Liquid polymer can be found at most craft stores, and it is essentially liquid polymer clay. However, it behaves much differently from polymer clay. The most common brands are TLS (Translucent Liquid Sculpey), Kato Clear Polyclay Medium, and Liquid Fimo.
properties
Liquid polymer clay bakes the same way as regular polymer clay. Once the liquid polymer is hardened, it is rock hard and suitable to be placed outside year round. When the clay is in liquid form, it has a honey-like consistency and has many possible uses.
common uses
Liquid polymer can be used to harden foil, foam, or natural fibres like fabric. It can also be used to seal beads, form patterns and layers, or be made into a grout.
polymer clay
identifying features
Polymer clay can be purchased from your local craft store, comes in an array of colours and molds, and handles and sculpts with great ease. FIMO Effect is a popular brand.
properties
Polymer is technically not an "earth" clay like the other clay materials, as it does not contain any clay minerals. Instead of being water-based, it is made from oil-based solid and liquid polymer. Polymer also differs from the other clays in that it does not require high firing temperatures. However, because it utilizes similar forming techniques and undergoes the same chemical process of curing as other earth clays, it is often regarded in the same family when it comes to craft. Polymer can be fired in a conventional oven, as it only needs to be heated at 129–134°C or 265–275°F to cure. It is important to note that even though polymer uses a kitchen oven in its firing, it is not food safe.
common uses
Polymer can act as decorative, patterned coverings for items such as candleholders and light-switch plates. Additionally, bowls, jars, and other vessels of various shapes and sizes can be molded. Polymer clay is often used for sculpting figurines, everything from faces to clothing to props, in a range of sizes.
​Even though polymer clay is not a true clay, many of the techniques used with polymer clay are the same. For more information see the clay page.