In my opinion one of the best crafts you can teach your children is to make Indian crafts. Indians arts and crafts range from the complex to the very simple. I believe this is because of the vast amount of American Indian tribes that have contributed to Indian arts and crafts. This is also a good way to teach your kids about American history, and the tradition, and spirituality of a beautiful people.

One of my favorite projects of arts and crafts to work on as a kid, was to hand make moccasins. I thought it was very neat to actually make something like a shoe. Even though I never got my pair of moccasins to stay together no longer than a week or two, and I never was able to get my pottery shaped the right way. I still was able to enjoy doing American Indians arts and crafts.

The main detail that came to my mind while searching through the outpost was how easily my scoutmaster was able to show me a good time, and instill in me the ability to learn about other cultures and have an open mind.

So, if you’re thinking about starting on arts and crafts project with your kid. One of the best things I would suggest is to look into Native American Indians arts and crafts. It should turn into a great learning experience for you and your child, and should be something that they will never forget. Remember, that one of the key things to do is to also teach them a little history on the actual crafting that is being done.

Hey, I’m the author Carlos Penn. I’m having fun writing articles online and currently making money and have fun doing at home crafting. click here for a look at what I do in my spare time Craft Jobs

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Now there are many different styles of work, from the plain and simple lines of the Quakers, to the highly decorated Queen Anne pieces with turned legs and curved fronts, to the ultra modern pieces that infuse wood and other materials. In my mind the best style is Arts and Craft. I think there is a lot of agreement with that choice. One of the things I have learned since I began to research the Arts and Craft movement is that the style is not limited to just the furniture. It’s a whole package which can encompass your entire house. If you doubt this, go to your local DIY store, where you will find an ever increasing supply of Hardwood Oak moldings and trim. Or go to any of the thousands of furniture stores, and even though a lot of the stuff is particle board and laminate, a lot of the designs have very strong Arts and Craft influences. When we moved into our current home, we had the standard builder’s grade painted 1 3/8″ molding on every door and window. As time and budget has allowed, we have replaced every single piece of it with wide, stained oak molding. We recently replaced the stair risers and treads with oak, and most of the carpet has found its way to the junk yard. Why, because we love the look and feel of real wood. Most of the furniture I make is either a reproduction of an Arts and Craft piece, or a variant of it. The furniture that we have purchased is either Leather or Danish Modern.

Both the Leather and Danish Modern blend well with the Arts and Craft design, Most of the early work done by Gustav Stickley, the father of the Arts and Craft movement in America, was done using the natural beauty of the Wood and Leather. The only difference I can see between the Arts and Craft and the Danish Modern, is the choice of finish. The original Arts and Craft pieces tended to be rather dark, while the Danish Modern is a light, oil based finish. Both styles of furniture feature simple lines and honest craftsmanship. Some of the Danish pieces are too eccentric for my personal taste, but I have to admire the craftsmanship.

The Arts and Craft Movement in America can trace its humble beginning back to late 1800’s to the early 1900’s. Most of the furniture of the era was being mass produced, highly decorative, and to some, shabby in appearance and workmanship. While at the same time, Europe was under going a cultural revolution, lead chiefly by William Morris, who later became infamous for his “Morris Chair”, and fellow Britisher John Ruskin, against this mass produced, and highly decorated style of furniture. These followers of the Arts and Craft Movement preached a return to handcrafted styles and a philosophy of a simpler life. The young American, Gustav Stickley, during a trip to Europe, became a disciple of the movement and the world of woodworking and furniture in America was forever changed.

Upon his return to America, Gustav opened his “Craftsman Store”, in 1898, where he perfected his unique design. His work was based on rectilinear designs, featuring mortise and tenon joinery, or dovetails. These joints were celebrated, not hidden, as it was in the Victorian pieces. One of the tenants that Gustav believed in was hand craftsman. This ultimately led to his company’s demise. In 1916, a short 18 years after it inception, Gustav Stickley filed for Bankruptcy.

While his stay in business was short, Gustav’s legacy lives on today. Many of his designs are still copied and his original pieces now are in museums or private collections. Their monetary value is unreachable for most.

Gustav had two younger brothers, Leopold and John George, who were also very accomplished craftsman. Together they opened their own company, “L & JG Stickley, Inc” in 1904. The L & JG Stickley Company is still in business today. Although it is no longer held by the Stickley Family, they still produce high quality furniture of the Arts and Craft era. Leopold and John George also believed in hand crafting the furniture, but understood that machines could be used to get the piece to the point that hand workmanship could complete the piece.

The Stickley’s were not opposed to machinery, they just the rejected the sloppy workmanship that mass production and machines brought to the work place. A concept that still plagues some work places over 100 years later, perhaps it’s not too late to learn from Leopold and John George. Today we would call this a “strong work ethic”, but what ever you call it, it worked, because in 1918, Leopold and John George purchased the bankrupt “Craftsman Store”. Leopold and John George are also responsible for the 1905 introduction of the Mission Oak design that is still very much in vogue today. And in 1922, they introduced their “Cherry Valley Collection”.

A lot of other names have been associated with the Arts and Craft Movement, too many to name. However, in my mind, no discussion would be complete without adding the names, “Greene & Greene”. Charles and Henry Greene were not actually furniture builders, but rather Architects, along the line of Frank Lloyd Wright. When commissioned to design a home, they also designed the furniture to go in the home, this was a strict requirement. If the client could not afford their furniture, Greene and Greene would require that they purchase furniture from Gustav Stickley. The Greene and Greene designs varied from the traditional Arts and Craft, their choice of wood was Mahogany, instead of Oak, and instead of straight stretchers, their Asian influenced designs have a “Cloud Lift “. Often the Cloud Lift was repeated in the bottom of the apron. Today’s woodworkers can replicate the Cloud Lift detail with a template and a router. I marvel at the skill it took the original craftsman to do this.

Another design element that identifies the Greene and Greene style is the use of inlaid ebony pegs into major joints. These pegs were either decorative, when used to cover a screw, or structural. After a mortise and tenon were fitted and glued in place, a hole was made in the side of the leg into the tenon. A corresponding ebony peg was inserted into the hole, creating incredible strength. The ends of the pegs were shaped to add visual interest.

Greene and Greene home and furniture designs were published in a magazine, created by Gustav Stickley, fittingly enough named “The Craftsman”. The magazine was also an avenue for Gustav to spread his gospel regarding all manners of life. If you were to compare the writing in “the Craftsman” to those of today’s DIY magazines, you would truly note that the authors of the Arts and Craft movement were more renaissance men than strictly woodworkers. They shared their beliefs on all matters of life.

There has been some confusion about the name, Craftsman home. Some feel that the name represents the design concepts of the Arts and Craft Movement, while other think of the “Craftsman Home” sold by Sears. From about 1908 to 1940, Sears manufactured a line of stick built homes that were sold from a catalog and delivered to the job site with all of the pieces cut and labeled. Sears had over 400 stock designs, but allowed individual customers to modify any of the Plans. Sears reportedly sold some where between 70 and 75 thousand of these homes. Out of the Arts and Craft movement, also came some interesting, and some what dangerous, methods of finishing. Gustav Stickley and his followers advocated “Fuming” as the finish of choice. Now remember, this was long before, OSHA, and the workers rights movements. The completed pieces were placed in an “airtight” room, and exposed to high strength ammonia. The tannins in Oak, will react to the ammonia, and color the wood. This is a practice not in use anymore in industry, as working with the high strength ammonia is a health risk. Just like I marvel at the craftsmanship, I often think about the workers who day after day carried the wood into the fuming rooms, having little or no breathing protection.

What actually killed the original Arts and Craft Movement? Historians tell us that World War One was the Death knell to the movement. With the country at War, most of the able bodied men left the factories and shops in support the war effort, including the craftsmen and artisans of the day. Factory productions were switched to supporting this effort, leaving few resources for furniture manufacturing that wasn’t strictly functional. Returning GI’s, brought back with them a new love for the Art Deco look which was very popular in Europe.

I think that there are probably two other factors that created the end of the movement, the 1930’s brought about the great depression, where people were much more concerned about actual survival, then obtaining quality furniture. The second thing is a problem that still haunts us today, a knowledge drain.

With the skilled craftsman leaving to go to the Europe and the Asian theaters of War, their knowledge left with them. The woodworking guilds closed down as the craftsmen left and those who took their places in the workplace were unskilled laborers. As woodworkers, I think we can all agree that the difference between an average woodworker and a craftsperson, is often training under a skilled master woodworker.

So there you have it, if you are like me, I look for every book or article I can find about the Arts and Craft movement. Not because I want to build everything in the book, I don’t have the room, time or budget for that, but because I love the style. If you’re new to the Arts and Craft style, you came at a good time, recently there has been a renewed interest, and with that brings more information, books, and CD’s. Go find a project you like, and work at it, but be careful, you might get hooked on the style.

The Jersey Woodworker has been a successful woodworker for over 30 years. To see more of his tips and projects please visit Sawdust on the Floor

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Religious arts & crafts allow artisans and crafters the opportunity to showcase the symbols of their faith, and the opportunity to craft an expression of their faith into tangible form. In this manner, religious arts & crafts provide a way for the faithful to proudly acknowledge their beliefs, and profess their love for their god or gods. Religious arts & crafts usually do this by referring to their religion’s main textual tenants or predominant symbols.

Which religions use arts & crafts to express belief?

Religious arts & crafts, as commonly thought of in western society, is concerned primarily with Christianity. For this reason, the common symbols of Christianity – the cross, fish and loaves, angels, Jesus Christ, etc. – are commonly incorporated into American arts & crafts. Another popular theme is to incorporate scripture quotations. Of course, Christianity does not have a monopoly on religious arts & crafts; arts & crafts are well known within the Jewish tradition, for instance. Jewish arts & crafts typically focus on the most widespread symbols of Judaism, and include the Star of David, menorahs, and other icons of the belief. Jewish sayings are also frequently featured on Jewish arts & crafts.

Ideas for religious arts & crafts

Religious arts & crafts are designed to serve as decoration for one’s home, office, vehicle, or church. Although religious features could be showcased in virtually any type of arts & crafts, these are some popular ideas for religious arts & crafts used for decoration:

1. Beaded Crafts: With a set of beads and string, pipe cleaners or safety pins, the devotee can create cute, creative religious arts & crafts. The possibilities for these crafts are almost endless, and are great for the whole family. These beaded crafts can be designed as jewelry, decorations, and other adornments. Virtually any religious symbol is possible with this versatile craft idea, from the Star of David to the Shroud of Turin.

2. Paint Your Own: Try to let your creative side out and paint your religious items for decoration and display or even for use in a religious service. Special ceramic paints are great to use for painting, decorating, and personalizing ceramic crosses, angels, and even scenes from the Bible. Personalize these paintings with names, birthdays, and scripture to make wonderful personalized gifts.

3. Cross Stitch & Embroidery: While it may take more skill and expertise, with a bit of practice most devotees can become experts and creating needlework arts & crafts. Religious needlework is especially noteworthy as it can combine both graphical images of crosses, angels, doves, and Bible scenes, as well as scripture, Bible verses, and other words of inspiration. Some more popular options for religious arts & crafts using cross stitch and embroidery include religious pillows and Bible covers.

4. Stained Glass Arts & Suncatchers: Stained glass art is popular for religious arts & crafts since stained glass is usually associated with churches and places of worship. This does not mean that you need to be a church to afford stained glass art. Far from it, inexpensive stained glass kits are readily available in most hobby and craft stores, and can be used by those without any previous experience.

5. Ornaments & Window Hangers: Ornaments and window hangers are often quite simple to create – in the absence of specialized skills, all you need is some imagination and a dash of creativity. Ornaments may be designed specifically for the Christmas season, or may be year-round crafts that can be hung anywhere, even from your rearview mirror. Look on the Internet for some fun ideas for religious ornaments, hangers, and other crafts.

6. Handmade Jewelry: Most religious people will happily wear the symbols of their faith as a personal reminder of their faith and devotion. Handmade religious jewelry is very popular, and can include anything from resin angel earrings to homemade metal crucifixes. Brooches, necklaces, and bracelets are also very popular, and while they are generally designed for women, men are becoming increasingly comfortable wearing fine handmade crucifix necklaces.

Looking for resources for making religious arts & crafts

Many arts & crafts shows will feature quite a bit of religious crafts and artwork. While there are rarely shows designed specifically for this niche market, a very high percentage of artisans & crafters feature work that includes a religious focus. If you are not able to attend any shows, do not give up hope. When looking for other ideas for religious arts & crafts, head to your local Christian bookstore or specialty shop. These stores will almost always maintain special sections dedicated to arts & crafts supplies of a religious nature. These stores also typically have arts & crafts ready for purchase and gift giving. If you are more adventurous, go to a hobby and arts & crafts store and convert a secular hobby kit into a testament of your faith.

Mary Amos loves arts and crafts and has been creating beautiful projects for years. See her exciting new ideas for religious arts and crafts at Religious Arts and Crafts, and be sure to visit Arts and Crafts for more fun projects !

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Leader of the Chinese revolution

Father of the Chinese mainland

The first provisional President

When the Republic of China was founded

Developing a political philosophy

Upon which the government was grounded

The Three Principles of the People

Nationalism, democracy, and livelihood

Sun Yat-sen loved his people

And dared to do good

Because he did deeply care

He sought their betterment and welfare

His legacy still influences China today

The Republic growing stronger economically by day

Sun’s foundation did certainly pave the way.

Sun studied English at the Anglican Diocesan Home

Where he learned a new song

Sun was taught also by the orphanage in Hong Kong

About the struggle of other kids

And the necessity to fight to win.

To apply yourself regardless

With or without the approval of your kin.

In April 1884, Sun was transferred to Queen’s College.

Sun was happily baptized by an American missionary

Wholeheartedly embraced Christ and Christianity,

Which led to the making of this great revolutionary.

Sun pictured a revolution as similar to salvation

The mission and mandate of Jesus Christ

And for China’s salvation he gave his devotion and life.

Sun’s conversion to Christianity led to the development

Of his revolutionary ideals and push for advancement.

The Spirit of Christ brought Sun life enhancement.

As a result, his baptismal name, Rixin was given,

“Daily renewal” is its literal meaning.

Greatly troubled by a backward China

That demanded exorbitant taxes

Levies from its people

Though they be obedient and humble

Honorable, harmonious, and not apt to quarrel.

The people were conservative and compliant

Hence they needed a spokesperson a bit defiant

Upon whom they could be reliant

The Chinese ancient methodology

Left no room for expression or creativity.

Freedom of thought and opinion was nonexistent

So Sun Yat-sen did birth, encourage, and make a place for it.

From the influence of Christian missionaries in Hawaii,

Sun learned to question things and ask “Why?”

Sun developed a disdain for traditional Chinese religious beliefs.

Which he knew experientially to be fruitless and weak.

One day, Sun and his childhood friend Lu Hao-tung

Thought to challenge the people and do something fun

Challenge the false gods and prove them to be powerless

Passing by Beijidian, a temple in Cuiheng Village,

He beheld dead religion which was nothing more than pillage

They saw many villagers sincerely and ignorantly worshipping

The Beiji (literally North Pole) emperor-god in the temple.

So they boldly broke off the hand of the statue,

As expected nothing in retaliation did the god to them do

The wrath of fellow villagers however did they incur

Nevertheless for truth they considered the persecution

Inevitable and were willing to endure

To open unto their people a divine door

Through Christ of whom they were sure

The joys of heaven and freedom, their hearts it did lure.

As for the Beiji god, it never defended itself

Being unable and lacking in divine power

This defining moment was therefore the hour

In which Sun Yat-sen broke free from religious ignorance

And endeavored to launch a new move with brilliance

Liberating and uplifting his people would be glorious

Set on a course to accomplish national transformation

Sun, who had grown increasingly troubled

By the conservative Qing government

And its refusal to adopt knowledge

Quit his medical practice in order to devote his time

To transform his beloved China.

In 1894, Sun wrote a long letter to Li Hongzhang,

The governor-general of Zhili and a reformer in the court,

With suggestions on how to strengthen China,

But Sun was rebuffed and of him they made sport.

Since Sun had never been trained in the classics,

The gentry did not accept Sun into their circles.

From then on, Sun began to fervently call

For the abolition of the monarchy and its fall

The monarchy’s blind eyes that could not see

Sun worked for the establishment of a republic in liberty.

In October 1894, Sun went to Hawaii

Believing for national renewal and a political strategy

Sun founded the Revive China Society

He became China’s revivalist that touched eternity

To unveil the goal of a prospering China

His ideas formed a platform for revolutionary activity

People of lower classes who were disenfranchised came

Upheld the ideals and virtues of his name

Laboring for China’s liberation just the same

Fellow Cantonese expatriates joined the cause

Birthing breakthrough for a civilization today we awe

1.2 billion citizens of splendid China

A pleasant people scattered across the planet

Their delicious culinary delights, we do taste it

The stronghold of imperialism, Sun you did break it

Transcending the wall of China and those who made it

A magnificent cultural phenomena

Today Caucasians say, “Nee how ma?”

As this world power is known economically

It is also exquisite culturally

Mighty and to be feared militarily

Increasingly being awakened spiritually

By Chinese revivalists preaching throughout China

Today saying, “Yay-soo eye nee!”

Renewal is sweeping the land triumphantly!

Sun Yat-sen, father of China,

Your efforts and acts done diligently

Have surely brought your homeland victory

Sun Yat-sen, for China, we thank and salute thee!

Paul Davis is a FL real estate professional, life coach (relational & professional), worldwide minister, and change master.

Paul is the author of several books including Breakthrough for a Broken Heart; Adultery: 101 Reasons Not to Cheat; Are You Ready for True Love; Stop Lusting & Start Living; Waves of God; Supernatural Fire; Poems that Propel the Planet; and God vs. Religion.

Paul’s compassion for people & passion to travel has taken him to over 50 countries of the world where he has had a tremendous impact. Paul has served in many war-torn, impoverished and tsunami stricken regions of the earth. His Dream-Maker Inc. is building dreams, breaking limitations & reviving nations.

Paul’s Breakthrough Seminars inspire, revive, awaken, impregnate with purpose, impart the fire of desire, catapult people into a new level of self-awareness, facilitate destiny discovery and dream fulfillment.

Contact Paul to minister, speak at your event or for life coaching: RevivingNations@yahoo.com, 407-284-1705.

For additional info: DreamMakerMinistries.com CreativeCommunications.TV

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When Zhuo Ling, a native of Shangai, was named Miss China Universe of 2002, she, an attractive fashion model, became the first Chinese woman to win a modern beauty contest in the People’s Republic of China, one of the world’s last Marxist nations in the 21st century. But there’s more, of course. In the previous decades, the Communist rule, as a number of Marxist states in Eastern Europe, among them the USSR and the Democratic German Republic, did not send entries to Miss Universe and Miss World.

China Under Mao Zedong

After China’s independence in 1949, Madame Chiang Ching, “First Lady of the Cultural Revolution” (1966-76), and Mao Tse-tung (or Mao Zedong), who said which “women hold up half the sky”, proclaimed total war against the capitalistic traditions: tourism, beauty pageants, and western clothes. During that time, the cult of beauty was replaced by the cult of Mao Tse-tung. The People’s Republic underwent over 25 years of Maoist government.

In contrast to the People’s Republic, Taiwan sent a handful of contestants to Miss Universe and other international pageants in the 1960s. Against all odds, Taiwan became one of the world’s beauty pageant superpowers, along with the United States, Argentina, and Britain. On November 9, 1961, Grace Li Shiu-ying was first runner-up to Miss World in the United Kingdom. During that year, Lily Wang Li-ling was a semi-finalist at the Miss Universe contest in America. In addition, Dolly Ma was one of 15 semi-finalists in the First Miss International in Long Beach, California. On July 14, 1962, Miss Taiwan Universe Helen Liu Shiu-man finished in the Top Four in Miami Beach, Florida. Nine months later, Helen was first runner up to Miss Asia-Pacific in Tokyo.

At the end of 1964, Taiwan’s delegate Linda Lin finished third in London, behind Great Britain and Argentina. Meanwhile, four months ago, Lana Yu Yi made the Top Five in Miss Universe 1964. Otherwise, Macy Shih earned the 1968 Miss Asia-Pacific title in Quezon City, Philippines. Finally, Patsy Wu was crowned Miss Queen of the Pacific Quest in Australia in 1969.

During Cold War, Taiwan was not the only Chinese territory in the pageants. Hong Kong, a British dependency from 1842 until July 1, 1997, also competed in the United States and London. But there’s more. The 24th Miss Universe was held in 1976 in Hong Kong, a few kilometers from the People’s Republic. In the subsequent decade, Eric Morley, Chairman of the Miss World Organization, chose HK to host the 1989 Miss World.

Goodbye Madame Chiang Ching!

After the fall of Madame Chiang Ching, an admirer of Sweden’s actress Greta Garbo, the new Chinese leaders, among them Deng Xiaoping, put an end to the Maoist policies. However, despite the end of Maoism, women weren’t allowed to compete in beauty pageants. That’s why China, on the other hand, decline to participate in the global contests in the 1990s.It was not until 2002 that the Marxist country held its first beauty contest. Since then, China was one of the last places, apart from the likes Vietnam, Cambodia and Mongolia, in the world to hold a contest. Before the Communists came to power in 1949, this nation had had several beauty queens.

Zhuo Ling — A Pioneer in China

Against all odds, Zhuo Ling was crowned Miss China Universe in the early 2000s. After winning the crown, she went to San Juan de Puerto Rico, host to Miss Universe 2002. Without the financial advantages of so many of the world’s beauty queens producers, Miss China participated in Miss Universe, where she had three tests: firstly, a physical fitness evaluation, (finished fourth); an evening gown competition (first place);and finally an exhaustive personal interview with 12 international judges, among them Tatjana Patitz (fashion model), Marisol Malaret (former Miss Universe), and Christopher McDonald (performer). During an interview for the New York Times, she told, “Generally when you’re picked as your country’s representative there are some special events and you’re given some tutoring, I didn’t have a chance to help my country. And I didn’t have a former Miss China at my side. It made me pretty sad.”

But China gave a more than satisfactory showing in its first-ever involvement in MU in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Surprisingly, Ms. Zhung, who speaks fluent English with an Asian accent, made history when was first runner-up, ahead of some of Latin America’s most beautiful girls, among them Vanessa Mendoza (Colombia’s representative) and Cinthya Lander (Miss Venezuela). According to the new results, she finished second, behind Justine Pasek, Miss Panama (Russia’s Oxana Fedorova had won but she was disqualified by the Miss Universe Organization).

Miss China

Once the People’s Republic of China became a member of the Miss Universe Pageant, several beauty contests popped up like never before in Shangai, Beijing and other Chinese metropolises, as well as Tibet. At the same time, Amelia Vega, 2003 Miss Universe, arrived in China for a visit. Likewise, it hosted a host of global events, including Miss International (2004, 2006, 2008, 2009 ), and Miss Tourism Queen International (2004-2009 ). Since November 2003, up to 800 foreign beauty queens have arrived to Beijing and other cities, including entries from countries which does not have diplomatic ties with the People’s Republic.

From 2003 to 2005, Hainan, a tropical island in the Chinese Sea, hosted the Miss World competitions. Two years on, at the end of 2007, Zhang Zi-lin, a well-trained contestant, was crowned as the new Miss World, making it the first Communist country in the world to produce a Miss World title since 1989.

Alejandro Guevara Onofre: Freelance writer. Alejandro is author of a host of articles/essays about over 220 countries and dependencies (and American States as well), from ecology, history, tourism and national heroes to Olympic sports, foreign relations, and wildlife. In addition, he has published some books on women’s rights, among them “History of the Women in America” and “Famous Americans”.

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KWANGCHOW, P.R. CHINA – Momentous change affecting the whole world is underway in the Peoples Republic of China, but the speed and direction will be determined here in old Canton where East meets West contrary to poetic assertion.

This bustling port city on the Pearl River delta north of Hong Kong has been China’s official trade center since 714 A.D.

In the past, foreign businessmen came here to exchange machinery and opium for porcelain and bamboo fishing poles.

Before long, China’s prize commodity will be oil. Only those nations with cash or technology will find it worthwhile to attend the mammoth trade fair held here every Spring and Fall.

China is about the size of the United States, with similar climate range and diversity of natural resources. Though it invented the tools of capitalism centuries ago – paper money, banks, printing, civil service – over-population always required concentration on food production. Consequently in-the-ground minerals have not been exploited extensively.

Today all this is changing.

Oil is being discovered in great quantity. The industrial nations are bargaining for this precious energy, price no object. Capital soon may flow to China in a torrent greater than that to the otherwise barren OPEC countries.

History may record that Mao Tse-tung, who ended a century-old civil war and unified modern China, was the last of the agrarian leaders.

Signs of change abound in this most populous Asian nation. Decades of isolation are giving way to international commerce. English has become a required language in schools. Chinese leaders welcome opportunities to visit American and Europe.

The thirtieth anniversary of the Communist Liberation October 1st came and went with little fanfare. Here in Kwangchow, as this is written, all effort is directed toward sprucing up streets and buildings for the International Trade Fair.

In Beijing, the capital, there was no rally in Tiananmen Square where the Communist Party Central Committee frequently assembles a million people for special events. Most surprising, there were no fireworks in a nation that has made an art of pyrotechnics.

The event was marked only by a “personal holiday” for workers and a banquet in the Great Hall for government leaders. Chairman Hua Guofeng lauded the achievements of the people but pointedly omitted Mao’s name.

In a speech described “of historic importance” by the party press, Marshal Ye Jianying implicitly blamed Mao for all that had gone wrong in the recent “cultural revolution.”

Mao had been forced into the background as a result of the devastating failure of his Great Leap Forward. Yet, at age 73, he fretted that the country under Premier Lin Piao was drifting away from communist principles. Carefully written essays to this effect by Mao were rejected by the government controlled press.

Finally his young third wife, a former actress named Chiang Ching, joined with the propaganda minister and two others in a plan to gain leadership through Mao’s influence with the peasants.

This “gang of four” published Mao’s call for a new cultural revolution and unleashed the peasant-based Red Guards to purge all those who had “taken the capitalist road.” Teachers, scientists and professional people were special targets. Many were killed, thousands imprisoned and untold numbers banished to collective farms for “re-education” by forced labor.

Formal education was scorned as “western decadence.” For a full decade, from 1966 to 1976, not one college student was graduated from China. The “Thoughts Of Mao,” published in millions of little red books, was declared to be all the wisdom China needed.

During these excesses, the gang of four announced that Lin had attempted to assassinate Mao and was himself was killed in a plane crash while fleeing to Russia. It is an unsubstantiated story that brings knowing head shakes from private Chinese citizens.

Deng Xiaoping, an advocate of liberalization under Lin, was jailed.

All of this was more than Mao had anticipated. He denounced his wife and allied himself with those party leaders who wished to end the madness. That opportunity came with U.S. President Richard Nixon’s initiative in 1972 to establish normal trade relations.

Upon Mao’s death in 1976, moderate leaders in the party gained the courage to arrest the gang of four, appoint Hua and Deng to the top posts, and turn the nation toward rehabilitation. A trial for the gang of four is expected before year end.

A more significant sign of burgeoning change is the attitude of young Chinese toward the official Four Modernizations program. Agriculture, science, technology and defense are to receive emphasis, in that order, for the rest of this century.

The road to progress is to be through education. Colleges and research laboratories are being reopened as rapidly as possible. The government says it will send 8000 Chinese students to the U.S. next year to study science, particularly mathematics.

Chinese young people are enthusiastic about the prospects. When they approach Americans on the street, as they often do here in Kwangchow, “to walk with you and practice English” they relish discussing the Four Modernizations.

Make no mistake, they are firm believers in communism.

The reason they are free, unlike Russians, to talk with foreigners is that the government is confident of its indoctrination. Political education begins in kindergarten. Newspapers, radio and television are tightly censored. Every Friday afternoon factory and farm workers attend official lectures.

Li and Chang are typical of the students throughout China who filled my evenings with talk of politics and friendship. They are convinced that through socialism populous China will catch up with the capitalist nations.

When?

Chang, just entering college at age 28 because of the cultural revolution, thinks his people expect too much too soon from modernization. “There will be change for the better, but not as fast as most think.”

Li is younger and has been relatively untouched by past ideological struggle. He thinks China will leap into the modern world overnight.

“What do you expect from modernization?” I asked.

“A nice family, a well furnished flat, a refrigerator and an automobile,” he replied.

“What will happen if you have not obtained these things by the time you have children of your present age?”

After a thoughtful silence he answered, “The revolutionary spirit is strong in the Chinese people.”

Along with the Four Modernizations program, the government promotes family planning to reduce over-population. An initial burst of mechanization had to be slowed because the resulting unemployment – now 20 million – threatened the economy.

Some progress with the problem is being made through birth control, free abortions, tax incentives and late marriages. There are accusations that baby girls are murdered by their own parents so they can try again for a boy.

Men cannot get a marriage license until they are 28, women 25. When a couple has their first child, they receive a monthly “reward” of five yen ($3.20) for up to four years. If they have a second child before that time, the reward stops. Doctors will not deliver a third child without party permission, and in these rare instances the couple must pay a five-yen “penalty.”

This is a tremendous change for the family-oriented Chinese, but the high degree of voluntary compliance is an indication of their determination to make modernization succeed.

“It will be a triumph for socialism,” declared Li.

“Don’t forget the Great Leap,” I cautioned. “You cannot modernize without a lot of capitalism.”

Again there was a long pause, and Chang replied: “I have though much about this, and sometimes I think capitalism is not so bad!”

The genie is out of the bottle!

Change is coming to China. The question is whether millennia of custom and decades of brain washing can be reshaped adequately.

If – big if – China can obtain the capital to harness her natural resources, and backs off from communism enough to fully use her enormous human energy, she will dominate the world.

November 01, 1979

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Lindsey Williams is a Sun columnist who can be contacted at:

LinWms@earthlink.net or LinWms@lindseywilliams.org

Website: http://www.lindseywilliams.org with over a thousand of Lin’s Editorial & At Large articles written over 40 years.

Also featured in its entirety is Lin’s groundbreaking book “Boldly Onward,” that critically analyzes and develops theories about the original Spanish explorers of America. (fully indexed/searchable)

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What will researchers uncover about today’s culture centuries from now when they dig up our popular toys? Most likely the “Made In China” label will symbolize the toy revolution in which sourcing to China became a way of life in America. Within two short decades China has become the number one producer of toys and their parts. The 1990’s introduction to cutting edge video gaming technology altered the dynamics of the toy industry. Every child wanted a gaming system. Millions were sold during the holidays. The name ‘Nintendo’ and ‘Sega’ became leaders in the gaming market. By the end of the decade not only was it the hottest toy but several new versions had been released. This rapid modernization of older models of gaming systems has steadfast the continuous growth of the brand. Maintaining high demand and honing the forefront of technology. Today Nintendo’s Wii, XBOX 360, and Playstation 3 is dominating the market. The future versions probably keep them in the lead in the toy industry as our nation become more tech savvy.

The plastic industry switched the focus from wood products to plastic. Toys began to shift in a new direction. Instead of quality sturdy wood toy parts crafted with unfinished wood machines manufactured plastic molded toys. The process was faster and allowed companies to produce their product on a larger scale appealing to the masses. The American toy industry was in the lead. The 50’s brought us the infamous Barbie Doll which is still in production today. Plastic toys began to rule the world. The GI Joe action figures, Transformers, and Teenage Mutant Turtles toys boomed in each following decade. Around the 80’s when the American economy started to recline outsourcing to foreign countries like Mexico and China become more prevalent.

After the gaming revolution more and more American factories started to cut costs shipping their work overseas. China’s miles of factories filled with workers efficiently bustling among the production lines are making toys that will be shipped back to the U.S. for sell this Christmas. As the manufacturing factories close across the nation and reduce staff the toy orders are sent to foreign factories. This procedure saves major companies billions of dollars but the American people suffer from lost of jobs. The apparent toy revolution takes its toll on the middle working class a demographic that comprises a large section of the U.S. Although, China is winning the war in the toy industry only time can tell if America will bounce back. The resurfacing of more classic toys could be a positive sign. Artisans who craft wood might make a mark on the industry in days to come. The technology infused in toys today are eliminating childrens need for imagination. Going back to basic nostalgic games will help our children become kids again.

Lara Smith works for Woodworks, LTD, a wholesale craft parts supplier near Fort Worth, TX, offering wood products such as wooden toy wheels, toy parts, buttons and plugs. To learn more about toy parts, check out http://www.craftparts.com

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What are ‘arts & crafts’? Generally, the term ‘arts & crafts’ refers to handmade products that have been designed individually with the intent of creating a piece of artwork or a decoration. People engage in arts & crafts as artisans and crafters – that is, those who make their living by producing and selling handmade objects – as well as countless hobbyists who do it just for their own enjoyment. Of course, there can also be a hidden benefit if you can make your own gifts rather than having to purchase them. Arts & crafts are deeply rooted in regional and ethnic cultures, so the specifics of what kinds of objects constitute arts & crafts varies greatly across the world.

How long have arts and crafts been around?

The origin of arts & crafts can be found in simple bartering transactions; expert artisans and crafters would trade their skill for sustenance. The artisans and crafters would then pass their knowledge on to the next generation through an apprentice – an assistance who grew up with the artisan for the sole purpose of learning their trade. Artisans who passed their knowledge on in this manner include ironworkers, glass blowers, weavers and blacksmiths.

Of course, this all changed with the industrial revolution. Many of the lovingly handcrafted items that were formerly made by crafters and artisans could now be cheaply produced in large quantities. As a result, arts & crafts as a widespread profession quickly died out; individual artisans and crafters could just not compete with industrial efficiency. Today, those individuals who specialize in the former staples such as glass blowing or weaving are rare, and usually create high-priced items, in contrast to their utilitarian forbearers. In the end arts & crafts is mostly made up by hobbyists and small retailers.

How do you find arts and crafts?

Arts & crafts are generally not difficult to locate. Artisans often participate at arts & crafts fairs in order to have the opportunity to sell their wares, and allow buyers the opportunity to browse and shop from a variety of different types of arts & crafts.

Festivals and fairs are good destinations to look for arts & crafts. Many vendors will rent booths at these events in order to reach a wide audience. In addition to shows and fairs, permanent arts & crafts malls are also easy to find in most metropolitan areas. Frequently, these malls include a collection of semi-permanent booths rented out by multiple artisans and crafters.

Of course, if the buyer knows exactly the kind of item he or she is looking for, the Internet can be a great resource for finding the perfect arts & crafts item. More and more artisans and crafters are now posting their wares online with the ability view photos and read descriptions of their unique products. Nonetheless, while online retail sales have taken off in other industries, arts & crafts buyers typically like the experience of finding and seeing the one-of-a-kind products in person, which has slowed down its adoption in this area.

‘Art’ and ‘Craft’

Art generally refers to fine arts, such as glass creations, paintings and sculptures. The people behind the creation of these objects have usually received formal training at art schools or have studied art through other programs. These art objects are usually expensive.

Crafts, on the other hand, are usually considered to be smaller in scale, or colloquially known as ‘grassroots’ in their creation. Those who create crafts are generally doing so based on passed down knowledge without any formal education. This of course does not mean that they are any less talented than artists. ‘Arts & crafts’ then is the merging of these two creative trends; grassroots objects made by highly skilled artisans and crafters.

The most common arts & crafts objects

As stated above, there are literally countless variations and iterations of arts & crafts objects in the world. Nonetheless, most arts & crafts can be fitted into a few basic categories: handmade jewelry, pottery, woodworking, metalworking, and sculpture are some basic categories into which most arts & crafts can be assembled. Other common types of arts & crafts include cross-stitch, weaving, crochet, knitting, embroidery, patchwork, quilting, macramé, and others. Still more common types include ceramics, wood, metal, needlepoint & textiles, and glass works. Still others are based on paper and paper products, including scrapbooking, calligraphy, collages, paper mache, and origami.

How do you find other arts and crafts collectors?

There are a number of national, regional, and local arts & crafts organizations that can provide both artisans and collectors a place where they can network and gain a sense of community. Some examples of popular organizations include the American Sewing Guild, the Arts & Crafts Society, the Black Crafters Guild, the Home Sewing Association, the National Art Materials Trade Association, the Canadian Craft & Hobby Association, the American Quilter’s Society, the Craft & Hobby Association (United States).

Mary Amos is an expert on arts and crafts and has been creating exciting gifts and projects for years. Learn where to find amazing arts and crafts at Arts and Crafts, and be sure to visit Arts and Crafts for more fun projects for kids and families!

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The Arts & Crafts period developed late in the nineteenth century and continued until the 1930s. With the dawn of the Industrial Revolution, assembly-line production enabled the mass production of merchandise. This was troubling to artisans and anyone who valued individually hand-crafted items and merchandise of top quality. This is the group that advocated well-made items of a quality that mass production could not achieve. The movement began with furniture and expanded to ceramics, wallpaper, metal work, architecture, and stained glass. The emphasis was on quality workmanship and consisted primarily of black, brown, yellow, and green tones in all fields. Of the many Arts & Crafts artisans of the period the most well-known are Frank Lloyd Wright, Gustav Stickley, and William Morris. Reproductions of their work are widely available today.

William Morris

One of the earliest champions of the Arts & Crafts movement was William Morris of Britain (1834-1896), who formed Morris, Marshall, Faulkner & Co. with a group of likeminded artisans. The company, later renamed Morris & Co., worked in many areas including stained glass, ceramics, fabric, wallpaper, and architecture. The company designed his home, Red House, which is one of the earliest examples of architecture ascribed to the movement.

It’s no surprise that anything made by Morris is highly sought after today, as he is considered a founding father of the Arts & Crafts movement. Most of his best work can only be found in museums. His work can generally be authenticated by the “Morris & Co.” stamp.

Gustav Stickley

Gustav Stickley (1857-1942) and his family began the Arts & Crafts movement in the United States in upstate New York during the 1870s. An architect and designer, he started a furniture company and introduced the Craftsman line, which continues to be produced today. A Gustav Stickley sideboard was sold at a Christie’s auction in 1997 for $596,000 by a preeminent collector of Arts & Crafts, Barbra Streisand.

Frank Lloyd Wright

Best known for his work as an architect, American Frank Lloyd Wright (1867-1959) was a pioneer of the Arts & Crafts movement. His specialty was designing not just a home, but all of the furniture as well. Today his work commands top dollar when available, but it is rarely available. Two of his most famous architectural designs and the Guggenheim Museum in New York and Fallingwater, a residential home.

Furniture

Solidly constructed simple oak and ash furniture typifies the furniture of the Arts & Crafts period. Common design elements include rush seating, horizontal or vertical slat backs and sides, and spindle backs and sides. Upholstery colors typify the period, generally done in brown, green, or black leather. Much of this furniture is still in use today because of its rigid construction.

Ceramics

Mass production was abhorred by the potters of the Victorian era. The graceful Japanese Aesthetic Movement style influenced craftsmen to emulate it, and creative forms and new glazes gave potters a new area to pursue. The fundamental perception of ceramics in North America changed as a result of the Arts & Crafts movement. Long seen as utilitarian, pottery became more decorative to appeal to the new upper class that could afford to splurge on a superfluous object. Dragons and flowers were often depicted in yellow, green, and brown glaze on pottery of the era.

Metalwork

Artisans who worked with copper, brass, silver, and pewter soon joined the move to hand-crafted workmanship. Tiffany and Liberty are two companies of the era that produced pieces combining both machine and hand production methods. Green and brown enamels and hammered surfaces are common characteristics of this work.

To save on arts and crafts supplies, fabrics, and other accessories, Vince suggests using a Joann Coupon and an Oriental Trading Coupon from CouponKathy.com.

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