this is very well said. Being crafty is a whole lot different from being Artsy...
nearly any/everyone can be taught a craft..but very few have the vision to become the artist!

I paint oils, sometimes from a picture. I've wondered, if I paint a rendition of that picture, is it art? and, Why do I need to paint it, I have the photo.

When I paint, I do not "copy" it, I put my own spin on it. Same thing when I quilt. I've switched up the pattern every time. So maybe that's artistic.

There are gifts of many kinds and classifications of more
sometimes something is classified as a craft or art simply by the maker or viewer. There are works of art held in high praise that simply aren't worth a plug nickle and vise versa. One of the ways you can move more into an artsy frame of mind is to mix things up and step out of your safety zone. I do art, craft, sewing and so on. Some seem to be more distinct in their work but don't let it stop you. While you're admiring their work they are study yours disecting it and planning how they will use your techniques- even if they do give snide remarks or looks.

Zactly! :thumbup:

I see myself as a mix of a crafter and an artist. I do both. Therefore I don't decide between these two and call myself a quilter - to be exact, handquilter.
My work is very traditional and I love to use the traditional patterns in a very traditional way - anyway every quilt is different. I enjoy the process of handquilting more than the final product/quilt. In my quilts I see and create things like beauty, balance, contrast and uniformity, order and clearness - characters I sometimes miss in my own personality.
Some quilts I like, some not. Some I consider as art, some not. It's just my personal point of view.
I don't aim for doing art. I just do quilts.

Art or craft? I used to paint, and some people liked my paintings. I kept what I liked, gave some away, but it was not as fulfilling as making a simple rag quilt that someone just loves to cuddle with or a lap quilt to keep someone warm, or a bed quilt to give pleasure and beauty to a bedroom.... Art and crafts are rather like cooking. We can use the same recipe, but it will still taste (and look) different to different people. I seldom use a recipe after six decades of cooking. But once in awhile, something new is tried. Same with quilting, if you love doing it, and it gives pleasure, then go for it. If you want to be a fabric artisan, the by all means go for it. We are all unique, thanks to our Maker. We are all artists in a sense, so just enjoy whatever YOU are, and don't worry about measuring up to other standards. I send you thoughts of love and blessings to be the best YOU that you know how. No one else can do that but you. RMW

Great comment - thankyou. (And I'm in awe of your avatar: I gave up VERY quickly with hand quilting!)

That's the crux of it, isn't it? That each of us should be the best "me" possible and express that in whatever way is appropriate for us. That's all that's asked of us. And that we respect everyone else's expression of who THEY are, without thinking one has more merit than another. I think that's why I was uncomfortable with the list of the differences between art and craft, because it devalued the latter. And anyway, I think some of the very wise and perceptive comments posted here have made it quite clear that the two can't be so easily separated anyway.

I am also just back from Birmingham which I thoroughly enjoyed as usual.
I tend to think of my quilts as craft rather than art and I am quite happy to follow patterns.
Sorry I can't help with your answer.

Traditionally, and for years what we are doing have been called "Needle Arts"!!

Producing a different something or a quilt from pieces of cut up fabric can be called an art, because that is the same thing that artists do to reveal or explain their worlds, using a great variety of different materials.

Ladies, and gentlemen who like to experiment with pieces of fabric and thread, do not sell your selves short!
Today there is a diffuse and fine line between the end result that craftsmen and artists produce by manipulating
their media.
What you call yourself, artist or not, or craftsman or not. is not as important as the wonderful things you produce!
jpthequilter