Words for crafting and what they mean
Many words describe making things by hand. They overlap, and usage varies, but these are the usual meanings.
- Craft: Making objects by hand with skill, often using traditional methods or materials. As a verb, “to craft” means to make something carefully.
- Crafted: Made with care and skill, usually by hand or in small batches. Marketers also use it loosely, so it does not always mean fully handmade.
- Handicraft: A craft item made largely by hand with simple tools.
- Handmade: Made by a person rather than a factory machine. Some sellers and marketplaces have their own definitions, so check the rules where you sell.
- Artisan or artisanal: A skilled maker of handmade goods, or goods made in a traditional small-scale way.
- DIY (do it yourself): Making or fixing something yourself, often from kits or tutorials.
- Maker: A general term for someone who builds or crafts, often including tools and tech.
If you need a fancy word for crafting, “handcrafting,” “artisanry” and “fabricating” all work depending on tone. Handmade crafts are generally just called crafts, handicrafts or artisan goods.
The definition of craft making, in short, is skilled work with the hands to produce useful or decorative objects. For project ideas, see our handicraft ideas.
Paper craft terms
- Acid-free: Paper or adhesive that is chemically neutral, so it is less likely to yellow over time. Often wanted for photos and keepsakes, as in scrapbook page ideas.
- Aperture: A cut-out window in a card or page.
- Bone folder: A smooth tool used to make crisp folds and flatten creases, handy for origami.
- Brayer: A small roller for spreading ink or paint evenly.
- Cardstock: Thick, sturdy paper.
- Die-cutting: Cutting uniform shapes with metal dies, usually in a machine.
- Ephemera: Small paper items like tickets and labels used as decoration.
- Grammage (gsm): Paper weight in grams per square meter. Higher usually means thicker.
- Scoring: Making a shallow line so paper folds cleanly.
- Vellum: A semi-translucent paper that resembles tracing paper.
- Decoupage: Gluing paper to a surface and sealing it.
- Quilling: Rolling thin paper strips into coils and shapes.
Sewing and fiber terms
- Selvage: The finished edge of fabric that does not fray.
- Grain: The direction of the threads in fabric.
- Seam allowance: The space between the stitching line and the cut edge.
- Batting (wadding): Filling used inside quilts and padded items.
- Interfacing: A material added to stiffen or support fabric.
- Warp and weft: The lengthwise and crosswise threads in weaving.
- Floss: Embroidery thread, usually made of several strands that can be separated. See choosing threads for hand embroidery.
- Hoop: A frame that holds fabric taut for embroidery.
- Macramé: Decorative knotting of cord, using knots like the square knot and half-hitch. See macrame for beginners.
- Working cord: In macramé, the cord used to tie the knots.
Clay and pottery terms
- Hand-building: Shaping clay without a wheel, for example by pinching, coiling or slabs. Compare it with throwing in hand building vs wheel throwing.
- Throwing: Forming clay on a spinning wheel.
- Slip: Liquid clay used to join pieces or decorate.
- Scoring: Roughening surfaces so pieces join securely.
- Leather-hard: A firm but still workable stage of drying clay.
- Greenware: Unfired clay objects.
- Bisque: Clay that has had a first firing and is ready for glaze.
- Glaze: A glassy coating applied to ceramics.
- Kiln: A high-temperature oven for firing clay. See how much pottery kilns cost.
Wood and leather terms
- Grain (wood): The direction of the wood fibers, which affects cutting and finishing.
- Grit: The coarseness of sandpaper. Lower numbers are rougher.
- Stain and sealant: Stain changes color. Sealant protects the surface.
- Burnishing: Rubbing a leather edge to smooth and polish it. It is covered in leatherworking as a hobby.
- Skiving: Thinning leather, often at edges or seams.
- Awl: A pointed tool for marking or piercing.
- Vegetable-tanned leather: Leather tanned with plant-based materials, often used for tooling and stamping.
General tool and material terms
- Adhesive: Any glue or bonding product.
- Cutting mat: A self-healing surface that protects your table and blades.
- Rotary cutter: A blade on a handle that rolls through fabric or paper.
- Template or pattern: A guide to trace or follow.
- Mock-up or sample: A test version made before the final piece.
- Notions: Small sewing supplies like buttons, zippers and thread.
- Embellishment: A decorative addition such as beads or ribbon.
Many of these terms show up in essential craft techniques, and a well-organized craft room makes it easier to keep the matching tools together.
FAQ
What’s a fancy word for crafting?
Handcrafting, artisanry and fabricating are common alternatives, depending on context.
What does “crafted” mean?
Made with care and skill, often by hand or in small batches. Check context, since it is also used in marketing.
What are handmade crafts called?
Handicrafts, crafts, or artisan goods.
What is the definition of craft making?
Using hands and skill, often with traditional methods, to make useful or decorative objects.