Crafter

A crafter is a person who creates handmade goods or engages in crafting activities. The term is used for both hobbyists and professionals who produce items by hand or with small-scale tools. Crafts span disciplines such as textiles, woodworking, pottery, glassmaking, metalwork, leather, paper arts, and jewelry.

Scope and practice: Crafters typically work with raw materials to produce functional or decorative items. While many pursue crafting as a leisure activity, others sell their work through craft fairs, shops, galleries, or online platforms, constituting micro-businesses or sole proprietorships. The distinction between crafter and artisan is fluid and may vary by region and market.

Skills and training: Crafters develop competency in material handling, technique, safety, and problem solving. They may rely on patterns, tutorials, or original designs, and often iterate to improve quality and efficiency.

In popular culture: In gaming and online communities, a crafter is a player or character who creates items using in-game recipes or crafting systems. Crafting can be central to economies, progression, or social activity within those environments.

Etymology and usage: The word derives from craft, with the suffix -er indicating a person who performs an activity. The term emphasizes making and handiwork rather than mass production.