Craftsmanship

This episode is part of our series “Artisan Interviews,” in which we bring you conversations with the artisans behind the stories, and with those who write about them.

Alden Wicker, award-winning journalist, sustainable fashion expert, and founder of EcoCult, talks about her disillusionment with the idea of “voting with your dollars;" why the cotton industry is in disarray; and some concerning new research around toxicity and chemicals in fashion.

Craftsmanship Quarterly is a multimedia online magazine about artisans, innovators, and the architecture of excellence. You'll find many more stories, videos, audio recordings, and other resources on our site — all free of charge and free of advertising.

Produced by CHRIS EGUSA

Music by MIKE SNOWDEN / BLUE DOT SESSIONS

If you want an unusually cozy scarf or sweater made of natural fiber, merino wool or alpaca are the usual choices. But what about the guanaco, the alpaca’s little-known cousin, which grows even finer fleece? For Adriana Marina, the guanaco’s time has come to be South America’s finest source for sustainable textiles.

"Argentina’s Textile Crusader" written and narrated by Alden Wicker, originally appeared in Craftsmanship Quarterly, a multimedia online magazine about artisans, innovators, and the architecture of excellence. You'll find many more stories, videos, audio recordings, and other resources on our site — all free of charge and free of advertising.

Written by ALDEN WICKER

Introduction by CHRIS EGUSA

Narrated by ALDEN WICKER

Produced by CHRIS EGUSA

Music by MIKE SNOWDEN / BLUE DOT SESSIONS

Alden Wicker is an award-winning journalist and sustainable fashion expert.

Fountain pens have always served as the quintessential combination of beauty, tradition, and dexterity. But did you know they’re also tools of  environmental consciousness? Join our tour of the fountain pen’s  history, infinite varieties, and remarkable powers. With tips for shopping and maintenance.

"The Perfect Pen" written by Tim Redmond, originally appeared in Craftsmanship Quarterly, a multimedia online magazine about artisans, innovators, and the architecture of excellence. You'll find many more stories, videos, audio recordings, and other resources on our site — all free of  charge and free of advertising.

Written by TIM REDMOND

Introduction by CHRIS EGUSA

Narrated by CHRIS EGUSA

Produced by CHRIS EGUSA

Music by MIKE SNOWDEN / BLUE DOT SESSIONS

As interest in hunting with a bow and arrow has risen, much of the gear has gone high-tech. Meanwhile, a small band of purists like Gabriel Miossi have turned to a traditional Native American weapon: the stick bow.

"The Lost Art of Traditional Bow Hunting" written by David Munro, originally appeared in Craftsmanship Quarterly, a multimedia online magazine about artisans, innovators, and the architecture of excellence. You'll find many more stories, videos, audio recordings, and other resources on our site — all free of charge and free of advertising.

Written by MEGHAN WARD

Introduction by CHRIS EGUSA

Narrated by Göran Norquist

Produced by CHRIS EGUSA

Music by MIKE SNOWDEN

As the economy’s reliance on innovation grows, the offering of toys for  girls remains–well, somewhat less than innovative. Fortunately, a few smart women are starting to solve this problem by reviving the time-honored principles of tinkering, this time for girls.

"Let Tinkerbell Tinker" written by David Munro, originally appeared in Craftsmanship Quarterly, a multimedia online magazine about artisans, innovators, and the architecture of excellence. You'll find many more stories, videos, audio recordings, and other resources on our site — all free of charge and free of advertising.

Written by DAVID MUNRO

Introduction by CHRIS EGUSA

Narrated by Göran Norquist

Produced by CHRIS EGUSA

Music by MIKE SNOWDEN / BLUE DOT SESSIONS

In a growing number of artisanal shops dotted around the globe, small-scale perfume artists are bottling a world of scents left untapped  by commercial fragrance houses.

"Led by the Nose" written by Barbara Tannenbaum, originally appeared in Craftsmanship Quarterly, a multimedia online magazine about artisans, innovators, and the architecture of excellence. You'll find many more stories, videos, audio recordings, and other resources on our site — all free of  charge and free of advertising.

Written by BARBARA TANNENBAUM

Introduction by CHRIS EGUSA

Narrated by AVANTHIKA SRINIVASAN

Produced by CHRIS EGUSA

Music by MIKE SNOWDEN / BLUE DOT SESSIONS

An American woodworker’s love affair with “the best” (and perhaps least  well-known) sculpture museum in Paris – and what the affair taught him.

"The Soul of French Invention" written by Gary Rogowski, originally appeared in Craftsmanship Quarterly, a multimedia online magazine about artisans, innovators, and the architecture of excellence. You'll find many more stories, videos, audio recordings, and other resources on our site — all free of charge and free of advertising.

A writer searches Istanbul's cafes and alleys for the king of the ney, an enigmatic — and at times, endangered — flute that has long been a mainstay of Muslim musical traditions.

"The Reed Artist," written by Rollo Romig, originally appeared in Craftsmanship Quarterly, a multimedia online magazine about artisans, innovators, and the architecture of excellence. You'll find many more stories, videos, audio recordings, and other resources on our site — all free of charge and free of advertising.

Written by ROLLO ROMIG
Narrated by GORAN NORQUIST
Produced by CHRIS EGUSA
Music by MIKE SNOWDEN / NEYZEN EMIN

Go-go music is a rhythm-heavy blend of funk, soul, and blues that is at the very heart of Washington, D.C.'s Black community. And while the style has been influencing Top 40 hits for decades, it's little known outside the District. In this episode of Craftsmanship Quarterly's Artisan Interviews, two key artists in the go-go scene, Shorty Corleone and Roy Battle, discuss go-go's distinctive sound, growing up in the scene, and why a live show is not to be missed.

For a more in-depth look at go-go music, check out "Washington, D.C.’s Homegrown Funk: Go-Go Music", written by Alona Wartofsky. Craftsmanship Quarterly is a multimedia online magazine about artisans, innovators, and the architecture of excellence. You'll find many more stories, videos, audio recordings, and other resources on our site — all free of charge and free of advertising.

Introduction by: Chris Egusa

Produced by: Chris Egusa

Music by: Shorty Corleone, Roy Battle, Rare Essence, Chuck Brown, Grover Washington, Jr., Killa Cal, Hot Cold Sweat, The Pure Elegance Band, TOB

Nand Kishore Chaudhary built Jaipur Rugs into a runaway success by  working closely with India’s poorest citizens, and by developing an  apprenticeship system around India’s chronic battles with child labor.  How do such difficult pieces fit into India’s social and economic  puzzle?

"India's Rug Saint," written by Cathryn Jakobson Ramin, originally appeared in Craftsmanship Quarterly,  a multimedia online magazine about artisans, innovators, and the  architecture of excellence. You'll find many more stories, videos,  audio recordings, and other resources on our site — all free of charge  and free of advertising.

Written by CATHRYN JAKOBSON RAMIN
Introduction by CHRIS EGUSA
Narrated by AVANTHIKA SRINIVASAN
Produced by CHRIS EGUSA
Music by MIKE SNOWDEN / BLUE DOT SESSIONS