Opening the Barn Door
Seeking a spot for his kids to enjoy nature, Rich Tyler discovered a 100-year old octagonal barn. The kids are grown, but the Secrest Barn remains.
Clothes Make the Man (and Woman)…Smarter
Some pieces of clothing just make us feel great — and according to researchers, they may even affect the way we think.
Gunta Stölzel and the Art of the Loom
The Bauhaus movement named just one woman worthy of the title of master—modernist weaver Gunta Stölzel. Are arts and crafts still so gender-specific?
The Artist as Craftsman
Grant Wood’s paintings include details of wood, metal, and cloth. Not surprising, given that his skills extended far beyond painting.
Alebrijes: A New Tradition in Wood Carving
Oaxacan artisans are giving their centuries-old craft a twist, offering new legacies in brightly-painted experimentation.
Buttoning Up the Competition
Think athletes and gladiators have an edge on rivalries? Try button collectors.
Be My Valentine
Letting your beloved know how you feel with a valentine card is a centuries-old tradition. That goes for those racy thoughts, too.
A Stitch in Time With Embroidery Queen Diana Rupp
Make Workshop’s esteemed teacher shares an embroidery project perfectly suited for a snowy afternoon.
Yes, We Can
It was 50 years after the invention of canned food that can openers were invented. In the interim, rocks, chisels, and bayonets sufficed.
Public Art: The Legacy of the New Deal
After the Great Depression, government-sponsored programs employed artists as builders of the nation’s cultural infrastructure.
Are You Really My Friend?
In the Facebook Portrait Project, photographer Tanja Hollander searches her virtual relationships for meaning.
Taking Type to the Streets
Kyle Durrie outfitted a 1982 van for printing and is traveling the country, giving folks a hands-on appreciation for type and design.
Supporting Developing Economies With Vacation Dollars
Facing poverty while traveling can be ethically challenging. What’s the right way to spend your holiday dollars?
Trappist Monks: Living Through the Labor of Their Hands
The monks of Iowa’s New Melleray Abbey provide an alternative to traditional caskets.
Making Mukluks: The Satisfaction of Warm Toes
Patti Steger combines native tradition with design know-how to create comfort in subzero climates.
