Craft Activities Research Articles

Un cas du bricolage: le financement de la création de toutes petites entreprises par les femmes à Thiès (Sénégal)

The debate on the funding of business creation focuses on the provision of funds by banks. Our study examines the financial behavior of eighteen women who set up small craft and commercial activities. It is based on a theoretical approach and on a qualitative methodology, which give a central place to the temporal and exploratory dimension in the understanding of the various interactions between the creators of the companies and their closer financial environment. The results of the study show a case of DIY. The latter is revealed in the ability of women to assign new objectives to financial resources, which they have mobilized from the banks of the financial system, mutual tontines, relatives and friends. This tinkering is a source of understanding for the State, the actors of the financial system and civil society, who participate in the renewal of the business park, in Thiès, in the Escale-Nord district, in Senegal.

A space of One’s own: Houselot size among the ancient Maya

This paper uses new data from lidar mapping to explore variation in the size of ancient Maya houselots. The amount of space available to households has important implications for subsistence, craft activities, social relations, and more. Comparisons of houselot data from three large cities (Coba, Mayapan, and Chunchucmil) and one rural area (southwestern Quintana Roo) show significant differences in houselot size across the four case studies. Site size has no effect when comparing across case studies although patterns of variation do emerge within the case studies. Of the major factors explored--wealth, household size, distance from site core, availability of open space, and agricultural strategies--houselot space correlates most strongly (but not unequivocally) with proxies for wealth. Craft activities have little bearing on houselot size. Agricultural strategies likely factor in to houselot size at Chunchucmil and in southwestern Quintana Roo but only in the latter case do houselots play a role in smallholding. Multiple regressions show that much of the variability in houselot size remains unexplained. This indicates that unquantifiable factors such as local customs and idiosyncratic historical events play a large role in shaping the amount of room ancient Maya people had for living space, rather than administrative or supra-domestic bureaucratic structures.

Crafting connections in post-COVID classrooms: learning university mathematics through craft

In 2020, after New Zealand emerged from its short-lived lockdown and students returned to university campuses, mathematicians Jeanette McLeod and Phil Wilson from the University of Canterbury taught a final-year mathematics course using craft. A part of most lectures included a hands-on craft activity to explore a key concept and to foster curiosity. This article describes the design and delivery of the course and reflects on the overwhelmingly positive student feedback. We suggest that the creation of, and interaction with, mathematical craft objects played a significant role in shaping these responses by generating feelings of engagement, reducing stress, and allowing tangible access to mathematical ideas.

HERBISIDA ORGANIK (RACUN RUMPUT) YANG RAMAH LINGKUNGAN DAN HASIL BUDI DAYA AMAN DIKONSUMSI DI DESA WINONG KECAMATAN MANCAK KABUPATEN SERANG

Winong Village with the motto “Desa Siaga” is one of the villages with a journey of about 4 km from the Mancak sub-district office in Serang Regency, Banten Province. The problems faced by Winong Village are the lack of resources and the community's economy. This happens because the land use is not optimal. Agricultural, plantation and craft activities also tend to be less dominant in generating increased income. One of the efforts for land management is to utilize abundant natural resources, namely coconut water which is added with other organic ingredients so that organic herbicides (grass poisons) can be made which are environmentally friendly and the cultivation results are safe for consumption.

توزيع السکان الأميين وکثافتهم بمحافظة دمياط في الفترة (1976- 2017)

Abstract Damietta governorate, in terms of the size of the illiterate population, achieved lagging ranks among the governorates of the republic, as it ranked between the eighteenth and twenty among the governorates of the republic during the studied censuses, and the illiteracy rate was marked by a decrease in Damietta governorate during the study period (1976-2017), due to the regional differences between Governorates, the social and economic level, the type of prevailing economic activity, the education of women and their exit to work, the customs and traditions that govern society, the enrollment and dropout rates, the quality of the educational process and the availability of educational services and schools, which led to the high rate of illiteracy in governorates without the other. The number of illiterate people in the governorate countryside has outnumbered its urban counterpart, due to several factors, the most important of which are customs and traditions that encourage girls to drop out of education out of fear for them with the onset of their puberty and early marriage, as well as the negative outlook of the rural community for the future of education in light of the increasing number of educated unemployment and the availability of craft activities. Attracting uneducated labor that does not require a specific age or educational qualification and provides a weekly or monthly financial return. The highly illiterate population was concentrated in the cities of Damietta and Izbat al-Burj according to the digital network model (DPM), considering them the focus of illiterate concentration and their spread to the neighboring areas, due to the flourishing of craftsmanship and commercial activity related to carpentry and furniture and furniture exhibitions, which are mainly concentrated in Damietta, and the flourishing of the fishing craft In the city of Ezbet Al-Burj, which owns the largest fishing fleet in the republic, as well as many industries for fish canning, shipbuilding, nets and fishing tools, considering them among the activities that attract uneducated labor and child labor while providing a weekly financial return for its workers, which encourages students and their families to drop out from education in order to join it. الملخص حققت محافظة دمياط من حيث حجم السکان الأميين بها مراتب متأخرة بين محافظات الجمهورية، حيث جاء ترتيبها بين المرتبة الثامنة عشرة والعشرين بين محافظات الجمهورية خلال التعدادات المدروسة، وتميزت نسبة الأمية بالانخفاض بمحافظة دمياط خلال فترة الدراسة (1976ـ 2017)، ويعزى ذلک إلى الفروق الإقليمية بين المحافظات، والمستوى الاجتماعي والاقتصادي ونوع النشاط الاقتصادي السائد، وتعليم المرأة وخروجها للعمل، والعادات والتقاليد التي تحکم المجتمع، ومعدلات الالتحاق والتسرب من التعليم، ومدى جودة العملية التعليمية وتوفر الخدمات التعليمية والمدارس مما أدى لارتفاع نسبة الأمية في محافظات دون الأخرى. تفوق عدد السکان الأميين في ريف المحافظة على نظيرة بالحضر، ويرجع ذلک إلى عدة عوامل أهمها العادات والتقاليد التي تشجع تسرب الفتيات من التعليم تخوفا عليها مع بداية بلوغها و لتزويجها المبکر و کذلک نظرة المجتمع الريفي السلبية لمستقبل التعليم في ظل تزايد أعداد البطالة المتعلمة وتوفر الأنشطة الحرفية الجاذبة للعمالة غير المتعلمة التي لا تتطلب سنا معينا أو مؤهلا تعليميا وتوفر عائدا ماديا أسبوعيا أو شهريا. - ترکز السکان الأميين الشديد في مدينتي دمياط وعزبة البرج وفقا للنموذج الشبکي الرقمي (DPM)، واعتبارهما بؤرة ترکز الأميين وانتشارهم إلى النواحي المجاورة لها، و ذلک لازدهار النشاط الحرفي والتجاري الخاص بالنجارة والحرف الملازمة لها ومعارض الموبيليات والأثاث الخاصة بتسويق منتجات تلک الحرفة والتي تترکز بصورة أساسية في مدينة دمياط، و ازدهار حرفة الصيد في مدينة عزبة البرج التي تمتلک أکبر أسطول للصيد بالجمهورية، کما يوجد بها العديد من الصناعات الخاصة بتعليب الأسماک وصناعة السفن وصناعة الشباک وأدوات الصيد، مع اعتبارهم من الأنشطة الجاذبة للعمالة غير المتعلمة وعمالة الأطفال مع توفيرها عائدا ماديا أسبوعيا للعاملين بها مما يشجع التلاميذ وذويهم للتسرب من التعليم من أجل الالتحاق بالعمل فيها.

Interactive Craft Activities – Elevating Special Needs Education Learning Tools with “Craft Interactive Teaching Approach”

Abstract: The aim of this study is to determine the Expert Panels agreement and consensus on the suitable items for the development of the Craft Interactive Teaching Approach (CiTA). A purposive sampling consisting of 12 Expert Teachers with more than ten years of experience in the field of Special Education were used in this research to measure their consensus on the design and development of the CiTA video module. The CiTA video module was developed using the ADDIE Model that is supported by the Delphi Technique. This study utilised the Design Development Research (DDR) approach that consisted of three phases. However, for the purpose of this article, the researchers will only discuss Phase 2: Design and Development in developing the Interactive Teaching Approach Video module. The responding twelve VAE teachers provided positive feedback towards learning and teaching using the tutorial module. With the interquartile range of 0 to 1.00 for all items included in the activities, all Expert Teachers in the field of Special Education approved with the content of the CiTA video module from the two rounds of Delphi surveys performed. The CiTA video module was developed with the inclusion of all items that were highly approved by the participating Expert Teachers in the Special Needs Education. Since the two rounds of item evaluation demonstrated a significant relationship between Round One and Round Two, the development of the video module could improve inclusive learning in the Malaysian classroom.
 
 Keywords: Interactive Visual Arts Education, Special education needs, Special needs children.

La Carta idrografica d’Italia come fonte per la storia degli opifici idraulici alla fine dell’Ottocento. Il caso toscano

In all pre-industrial societies, water power has been the main form of energy used to drive grain and oil mills, ironworks, fulling mills, paper factories and other types of craft and manufacturing activities. The “Carta idrografica del Regno d’Italia”, published in the last decade of the 19th century, is the first representation at topographic scale of the hydrographic network and it is homogeneous at national level and includes the location of all the water-powered factories existing in Italy in the late 19th century. The graphical representation of the structures is supported by technical data such as type, nature of the diversion, flow rates, months of use, as well as by monographic studies on the hydrological characteristics and productive capacity of Italian watercourses. Using the methodologies of historical GIS, the paper aims to analyse the distribution of water-powered factories, existing at the end of the 19th century both in Tuscany as a whole and in two provinces (Pisa and Arezzo) chosen as case studies.

STRATEGI PENGEMBANGAN KREATIVITAS ANAK USIA DINI DIMASA PANDEMI

Development in early childhood is marked by changes in behavior and abilities. The development of creativity in early childhood is one of the most important developments to pay attention to. Creativity is a person's interaction with the environment to create methods or products that are imaginative and have benefits for solving problems. Children's creativity is surrounded by unique ideas and the growth of imagination and fantasy. Creative children are sensitive to stimulation. To develop children's creative abilities, strategies are needed that are in accordance with the abilities and situations of early childhood today. The pandemic situation requires teachers to be more creative in designing learning strategies for early childhood. This study aims to determine the strategy of Pelita Sari Kindergarten teachers in developing early childhood creativity during the pandemic. This research method is descriptive qualitative. The results of this study describe the strategies of Pelita Sari Kindergarten teachers in developing early childhood creativity during the pandemic. The strategies used by the teacher are more and consistently use the strategy of developing creativity through creating products (hasta work). Through real work, not only creativity will develop, but cognitive abilities will also be well facilitated. Children will use their imagination to form a certain building or object according to their imagination in craft activities. In their manufacture they use a variety of different materials can use materials that are easily found. Every child is free to express their creativity, so we will get different results from one child to another.

The role of local radio in promoting creative engagement for healthy ageing

ObjectivesTo identify and critique literature on the links between public service local radio promoting creative engagement for healthy ageing in order to better understand the potential for public health agendas. MethodsThis communication draws on preliminary learning from Up for Arts (UfA), a partnership initiative between BBC local radio and the UK charity Voluntary Arts. As part of the development of a logic model for the national roll-out of UfA, a scoping review of literature was undertaken. Eight search engines were searched systematically using four main search terms, ‘older people’, ‘participatory arts’, ‘mass media’ and ‘public health’. Journals and websites were also opportunistically searched for outlying material. The inclusion criteria were qualitative, quantitative and mixed method studies and literature reviews published in English, between 2009 and 2018, wherein public service local radio was involved in promoting arts and crafts activities in local communities. Both formal activities, such as singing in a choir, and informal activities, such as a home-based knitting circle, were included. Art therapy, music therapy and other clinical interventions were excluded. ResultsOf 708 papers, articles and reports identified through title, 37 were retained for primary screening. None met the criteria for inclusion. However, results on the individual search topics indicate that improved public health outcomes might result by including the promotion of creative engagement for healthy ageing. ConclusionPublic Service Local Radio partnership initiatives, such as UfA, could have a role in supporting the development of creative engagement as a positive healthy ageing activity. This may be of interest and relevance to policymakers seeking novel ways to address health behaviours among people approaching old age.

Investigation of harbor craft activities for emission inventory calculation

ABSTRACT Total emissions from all sources need to be accurately quantified in an emission inventory in order for a basin to develop their air pollution management plan. The best approach is to measure both the real-world emissions and activity for a source; however, often only emissions are measured and activity is estimated from historical factors. This report focuses on harbor craft and presents data showing that using measured emissions and historical factors for activity will lead to inaccurate emission contributions. In this research, real-world activity data were collected from the engine control module (ECM) and from a surrogate method that relied on exhaust temperature. Measured real-world activity values from 10 harbor craft were compared with historical values found in the certification cycle. The vessels included four tugboats, three pilot boats, two police boats, and one supply vessel. The results showed the activity values used in the certification cycle did not reflect the real-world activity of the 10 harbor craft vessels. On average, real-world NOx emissions were only 46% of the NOx emissions estimated by ISO 8178-E3 weighting factor. In contrast, inclusion of significantly lower load factors leads to 31% higher in-use NOx emission factors on average. CARB/EPA load factor ranges from 0.45 to 0.51 while in-use load factor ranged from 0.14 to 0.44. From this finding, researchers are cautioned about accepting the activity values in a certification test cycle, like ISO 8178 E3, and instead should measure real world activity data. This change would improve the accuracy of the emission contribution from harbor craft to the local inventory. Implications: Real-world measurements of activity and emissions are the best way to get an accurate emission contribution to emission inventory. This paper reports on the differences between the use of the traditional certification cycle and real-world activity of harbor craft. Engine control module (ECM) and exhaust temperature data from 10 harbor crafts with different types of operation were used to compare real-world activity data to certification cycle.

Ремесленное образование как перспективное направление развития современного профессионального образования

The article considers the main aspects of craft activity in modern society and reviews the literature on craft education as one of the directions of development and improvement of professional education. The main organizational, technological and psychological characteristics of handicraft activity are highlighted. The analysis of trends in the development of professional work in the context of providing professional training for handicraft business is carried out. The main problematic areas of handicraft activity are noted: the lack of legislative and regulatory documents regulating the field of handicraft; federal state educational standards in the field of training of handicraft personnel have not been developed in vocational education; professional standards have not yet been developed for existing handicraft professions and craft activities; the lack of educational and scientific literature on handicraft activities and craft professions, which limits the opportunity to master craft education. Currently, the development of handicrafts is on the path of complicating the performance of professional activities. Modern craft education requires significant intellectual investment associated with the idea and design of future products, the presence of imagination and creativity in their work, an important role is played by the ability to build and maintain interpersonal relationships with various groups of people involved in the structure of the organization of a craft enterprise. Today, the organization of handicraft work requires a certain professional training with the need to form professional competencies of various directions (technological, legal, economic, pedagogical, aesthetic, etc.), which, in turn, will be able to stimulate professional improvement and professional development in handicraft activities.

Preliminary Report on the Survey of Hajjiabad-Varamin, a Site of the Konar Sandal Settlement Network (Jiroft, Kerman, Iran)

ABSTRACT The purpose of this article is to introduce the large prehistoric site of Hajjiabad-Varamin, its changes in time and the first discoveries made there, in the specific literature on the early Bronze Age of the south-eastern Iranian Plateau. The first part of the article describes the site, its present damaged conditions, the periodisation we adopted and the complex topographic shifts and changes of functions through time. The second part focuses on the settlement of the 3rd millennium BC and discusses a major craft activity area found east of the main elevation of the site, in which were manufactured vessels in various stones (white alabaster, grey limestones with white fossil inclusions, and probably chlorite). Collections include large drill-heads in volcanic rocks used on the interior of the stone pots, and standardised beads of a green and red-banded calcite broken while being drilled. While the stone vessels find abundant comparisons and were certainly in demand for long-distance trade, the beads type is not known in other contexts and were presumably made for a local demand. We also present the unusual find of a hoard of copper objects which helps framing the 3rd millennium BC centre in terms of cultural links and chronology.

Determining black carbon emissions and activity from in-use harbor craft in Southern California

Black carbon (BC) emitted from diesel fuel combustion contributes significantly to particulate matter emissions that impact air quality and human health. Off-road sources of BC are increasingly important as emissions from on-road vehicles continue to decrease. This study characterizes harbor craft emissions and activity, including tugboats, passenger boats, and fishing vessels. Vessel traffic data suggest that the Southern California tugboat fleet is composed of relatively few unique vessels, yet tugboats spent more non-idle operating time within 3 nautical miles of California's coast than all other vessel types (including large ocean-going vessels). Fuel-based BC emission factors (EFBC) were measured from shore in the San Pedro Bay Port Complex in Los Angeles using the plume capture method, yielding 78 EFBC values from ~45 unique vessels. Passenger boats had the highest geometric mean EFBC (0.56 ± 0.86 g/kg). Tugboats had higher EFBC while moving with versus without loads (0.64 ± 0.29 and 0.48 ± 0.67 g/kg, respectively). Non-idle EFBC for vessels were skewed, with the dirtiest 20% of plume intercepts contributing ~47% of BC emissions. Given the trends observed in both vessel activity and EFBC values, tugboats could be worthwhile targets for emissions reductions.

Characteristics of Dietary Fatty Acids Isolated from Historic Dental Calculus of the 17th- and 18th-Century Inhabitants of the Subcarpathian Region (Poland).

Dental calculus analysis can be a valuable source of archaeological knowledge, since it preserves not only microbial and host biomolecules but also dietary and environmental debris, as well as metabolic products likely originating from dietary and craft activities. Here we described GC-MS analysis of a set of historic dental calculus samples from the front teeth of the mandibles of seven individuals found in 17th- and 18th-century graves in the city of Rzeszow, located in South-eastern Poland. We have found that only saturated fatty acids, which are characteristic for fats of animal origin, were present in the tested samples. Our preliminary results indicate that the diet of modern-period inhabitants of Rzeszow was rich in animal products, such as meat and dairy products.

أضواء على الأنشطة الاقتصادیة فی بلاد شنقیط (موریتانیا) من خلال النوازل الفقهیة دراسة لنوازل القرنین (12-13هـ/18-19م)

يرصد هذا البحث بعض الأنشطة الحرفية في بلاد شنقيط (موريتانيا) خلال القرنين الثامن عشر والتاسع عشر للميلاد، استنادا لما ورد في النوازل الفقهية من إشارات. وتبرز أهمية هذا الموضوع کونه يتعلق بالتأريخ للأنشطة الاقتصادية في إحدى المجتمعات الأفريقية إبان حقبة ما قبل الاستعمار من خلال مصادر محلية أصلية عاصرت الأحداث وعايشتها. ومن أسف أن رکز الباحثون في التاريخ الأفريقي الحديث والمعاصر اهتمامهم على التأريخ للمجتمعات الأفريقية منذ بداية عهد الاستعمار الأوروبي نتيجة وفرة الوثائق الأوروبية، ولم يتطرق أغلبهم للحديث عن الفترة التي سبقت الاستعمار إلا في إشارات عابرة لم تکن سوى مدخلا لدراسة العهد الاستعماري. ويعزو هذا إلى ندرة ما کتب عن تاريخ أفريقيا في تلک الحقبة واعتمدت تلک الکتابات بالأساس على الروايات الشفهية، والدراسات الأنثروبولوجية التي سعت سعيا مقصودا –خدمة للأهداف الإمبريالية- لعقد مقارنات بين وضعية المجتمع الأفريقي قبل الاستعمار وبعده، وبالتالي قدمت صورة موجهة وغير مکتملة، ولا يمکن الاطمئنان إليها في التأريخ للمجتمع الأفريقي قبل العهد الاستعماري. في ضوء ذلک تحاول هذه الدراسة إلقاء حجر في المياه الراکدة، وحث الباحثين في التاريخ الأفريقي الحديث على الرجوع إلى بعض المصادر المحلية المهمة رغم عدم انتمائها للحقل التاريخي، ألا وهي النوازل الفقهية ­­­التي أولاها الباحثون في التاريخ الإسلامي أهمية کبرى، ورصدوا من خلالها أوضاع المجتمع الأفريقي، بينما استبعدها الباحثون في التاريخ الحديث والمعاصر کمصدر تاريخي يمکن الاستفادة منه، ظنا من البعض أن النوازل تشتمل فقط على معلومات فقهية. وتکمن الإشکالية هنا في الخلط بين مفهومي الفتوى والنازلة، فالنازلة عبارة عن قضية تعرض على الفقهاء، وتعبر عن واقع معيش بالفعل، ومن ثم فهي أضبط في التعبير من الفتوى التي تشمل سؤال الناس عن الأحکام الشرعية، سواء حدثت أم لم تحدث. وفيما يتعلق ببلاد شنقيط نموذج هذه الدراسة، فقد أوردت النوازل عددا من الإشارات المهمة التي يمکن من خلالها رصد بعض الحرف والأنشطة الاقتصادية، وکذلک أبرز المشاکل التي عانى منها الحرفيون، وهو ما ستبرزه هذه الدراسة. Lights on Economic Activities in Chinguetti (Mauritania) Accordint to Nawazil Fiqhiya A study of the Nawazil of the two centuries (12-13 AH / 18-19 AD) Eman Ragab Zaki Tammam Department of Modern and Contemporary History , Faculty of Arts, Beni-Suef University , Egypt . E-mail : Emanra@art.bsu.edu.eg Abstract : This research examines some craft activities in the Chinguetti Countries (Mauritania) during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries AD, based on the references mentioned in the Nawazil Fiqhiya. The importance of this topic is highlighted as it relates to the history of economic activities in one of the African societies during the pre-colonial era through indigenous local sources who lived through the events. Unfortunately, researchers in modern and contemporary African history have focused their attention on the history of African societies since the beginning of the European colonial era as a result of the abundance of European documents, and most of them did not address the pre-colonial period except in passing references that were only an introduction to the study of the colonial era. This is attributed to the scarcity of books on the history of Africa in that era, and those writings relied mainly on oral narratives and anthropological studies that sought intentional pursuit - in service of imperialist goals - to draw comparisons between the situation of African society before and after colonialism, and thus presented a directed and incomplete picture. The reassurance of it in the history of African society before the colonial era. In light of this, this study tries to throw a stone into the stagnant waters, and urged researchers in modern African history to refer to some important local sources despite their lack of belonging to the historical field, namely the Nawazil Fiqhiya which researchers in Islamic history gave great importance, and through which they monitored The conditions of African society, while researchers excluded them in modern and contemporary history as a historical source that can be used, thinking that some of the Nawazil include only jurisprudential information. The problem here lies in the confusion between the concepts of the fatwa and the Nazilah, for the catastrophe is a case presented to the jurists, and it expresses the reality of actually living, and then it is more precise in expression than the fatwa that includes asking people about the legal rulings, whether they happen or not. With regard to the Chinguetti countries, the model of this study, the Nawazil cited a number of important signs through which some crafts and economic activities could be monitored, as well as the most prominent problems that craftsmen suffered from, which will be highlighted in this study.

Occupational Goal Intervention Method for the Management of Executive Dysfunction in People With Treatment-Resistant Schizophrenia: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

The occupational goal intervention (OGI) method has been proven effective in improving executive function (EF) in people with schizophrenia, but it has not yet been tested with those with treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS). To test the efficacy of the OGI in people with TRS. Single-blind randomized controlled trial. The Schizophrenia Program, Institute of Psychiatry, University of São Paulo General Hospital, Brazil. People with TRS according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.) criteria, ages 18 to 55. Outcomes and Measures: Primary outcome: improvement in EF as measured by the Behavioural Assessment of the Dysexecutive Syndrome (BADS). improvement of functionality, as measured by the Direct Assessment of Functional Status-Revised (DAFS-BR), and improvement in autonomy in activities of daily living (ADLs), as measured by the Independent Living Skills Survey (ILSS-BR), administered to caregivers. The outcomes were measured at baseline, posttreatment, and follow-up. Participants were divided into two groups: OGI and craft activities (control). Each group participated in 30 sessions during 15 wk, with follow-up at 6 mo postintervention. The OGI group improved significantly compared with the control group, with medium to large effect sizes in posttreatment scores on the BADS and DAFS-BR. The ILSS-BR showed the highest effect sizes at posttreatment and follow-up. The OGI method is effective for improving EF, occupational performance and ADLs in people with TRS. What This Article Adds: The OGI method is an important therapeutic tool for use in the occupational therapy clinic.

Craft Activities of Stolypin Migrants in the Altai Okrug

Craft Activities of Stolypin Migrants in the Altai Okrug

There and back again: A carver’s tale of losing and regaining sense of space due to a brain tumour

Sense of space is a core cognitive ability necessary for imagining future three-dimensional forms, rotating them mentally, as well as for abstract thinking. It is a core ability in craft activities, enabling the maker to ideate and envision their ideas. This autoethnographic narrative inquiry presents my experience of woodworking whilst a brain tumour impeded my sense of space. The narrative describes my experience of losing and regaining this ability and the actions I took to continue carving anyway. The article’s evocative narrative exemplifies how the core identity of being a carver and the carving process itself function as coping mechanisms in the face of terminal cancer. The article’s main purpose is to generate knowledge on the role of spatial skills in carving and their elusive nature. Theoretically positioned in the field of embodied cognition, the article explains how our sense of space develops in interaction with materials and our surroundings. It also suggests how future education can be changed by purposefully incorporating targeted craft practices to better support the development of a sense of space.

Rural Crafts: A study in South Wiltshire

Rural Crafts are crafts with agrarian roots, but they are not easily located historically, or within today’s developed markets. This study stresses Rural over Heritage Crafts (based in manual skills and traditional materials, designs and techniques), although the two are not mutually exclusive. Rural Crafts are considered, present and past, through interviews with practitioners based in South Wiltshire. The study embraces networks of crafters, interviews with individuals and a focus for a rural craft event located at the Harnham Water Meadows at Salisbury, a historic location. It is established that, while few participants sustained themselves financially through their craft, it was clear that participation is ‘value driven’, providing personal benefits. The ethos of sustainability is a strong theme, both in sourcing materials and in the processes employed, especially true for individuals working with wood and thatching. Few clear similarities are found from past cottage industries, although the sense of continuity in craft is still strong. Networks included craft associations, and opportunities for informal learning, but there is a lack of formal training opportunities. This finding may be historic, as most people interviewed were over 60 years. As well as an age bias, there is a strong gender bias with men dominating regular part-time or full-time paid occupations and women treating their craft more as a hobby. Most people treat sales of any products as a bonus, and the future of such activities is dependent more upon personal interests and networks than on formally trained (often younger) individuals, more so than formal training delivered through individual organizations or companies. Otherwise, our conclusions are in line with modern ideas of personal, well-being and social benefits derived from craft activities.

Impacts to Diné activities with the San Juan River after the Gold King Mine Spill.

BackgroundOn August 5th, 2015, 3 million gallons of acid mine drainage was accidentally discharged from the Gold King Mine near Silverton, Colorado into Cement Creek which is a tributary of the Animas and San Juan Rivers. The government-initiated risk assessment only assessed a recreational scenario (i.e. hiker drinking from the river), failing to recognize the deep connection of the Diné (Navajo) with the San Juan River.MethodsUtilizing a mixed-methods approach we determined the impacts of the 2015 Gold King Mine Spill (GKMS or Spill) on Diné activities. We developed a questionnaire to collect pre- and post-GKMS Diné activity frequency and duration. Navajo Nation Community Health Representatives administered the questionnaire to 63 Diné adults and 27 children living in three Navajo communities along the River.ResultsThrough analysis of the focus group transcripts we identified 43 unique activities between the Diné and San Juan River. There were significant reductions in the total number, frequency, and duration of livelihood, dietary, recreational, cultural/spiritual and arts and craft activities. On average, Diné activities with the San Juan River following the GKMS decreased by 56.2%.SignificanceThe significant reduction in activities following the GKMS may lead to long-term trauma, impacting the ability of the Diné to pass down teachings to their children affecting future generations to come. The 43 distinct activities between the Diné and the San Juan River highlight the importance for scientists and disaster responders to consider cultural and spiritual impacts when responding to environmental disasters and conducting risk assessments among Indigenous communities.