Occupation Details
Craft Artists
Create or reproduce handmade objects for sale and exhibition using a variety of techniques, such as welding, weaving, pottery, and needlecraft.
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Interests
Realistic
Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Artistic
Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
Enterprising
Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
Work Values
Achievement
Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
Working Conditions
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
Independence
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Salary & Job Outlook
Starting Salary
$31,480.00
New York StateMedian Salary
$49,240.00
New York StateExperienced Salary
$59,750.00
New York StateNational Average for Comparison
New York State Job Market Outlook
Jobs Right Now (2018)
430
professionals in NYFuture Job Growth (2030)
490
+6 jobs/yearNew Jobs Every Year
52
new opportunities yearlyGrowth Rate
0.1%
projected increasePreparation: Experience, Training, and Education
The list below outlines the prior educational experience required to perform in this occupation.
College Helps - Some college classes or training
Experience Requirements
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Education Requirements
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Training Details
Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Transferrable Skills and Experience
These occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include hydroelectric production managers, desktop publishers, electricians, agricultural technicians, barbers, court reporters and simultaneous captioners, and medical assistants.
School Programs
The following lists school programs which are applicable to this occupation.
Licensing & Certification
State License and Certifications Requirements are not currently associated with this occupation.
Apprenticeship
Contact your regional representative to learn more about apprenticeships available in your area by visiting Apprenticeship Contacts.
Skills
The list below includes the skills required by workers in this occupation; skills are what allow you to learn more quickly and improve your performance.
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Social Perceptiveness
Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Persuasion
Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
Service Orientation
Actively looking for ways to help people.
Complex Problem Solving
Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Skill level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Knowledge
The list below includes knowledge items, the principles and facts required by this occupation.
Fine Arts
Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.
Sales and Marketing
Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Production and Processing
Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
Design
Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
Mechanical
Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
Knowledge level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Work Environment
The list below includes the physical and social factors that influence the nature of work in this occupation.
Hover over or tap each factor to see its description.
Work Styles
Included in the list below are the personal work style characteristics that can affect how well a worker is likely to perform in this occupation.
Achievement/Effort
Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
Adaptability/Flexibility
Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Analytical Thinking
Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
Attention to Detail
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Dependability
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Independence
Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
Initiative
Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Innovation
Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.
Integrity
Job requires being honest and ethical.
Persistence
Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
Tools & Technology
This list below describes the machines, equipment, tools, software, and information technology that workers in this occupation will use.
Tools
- Alcohol lamps
- Allen wrenches
- Aluminum silkscreening screens
- Angled paint brushes
- Artists' air brushes
- Artists' paint brushes
- Artists' palette knives
- Artists' palettes
- Bail shaping pliers
- Ball mills
- Bastard hand files
- Bead press machines
- Bead shaping molds
- Belt sanders
- Bench anvils
- Bench pins
- Bench planes
- Benchtop drill presses
- Bevel tools
- Bias tape machines
- Biscuit joiners
- Blowhoses
- Brad nailers
- Buffing tools
- Bunsen burners
- Burnishing tools
- Bush hammers
- Butane torches
- C clamps
- Calligraphy pens
Technology
- Electric Quilt Quilt Design Wizard
- Email software
- Embroidery design software
- Floriani MDQ My Decorative Quilter
- John Hesselberth and Ron Roy GlazeMaster
- Pattern design software
- Sales management software
- SmugMug Flickr
Duties
Duties are job behaviors describing activities that occur on multiple jobs. The generalized and detailed work activities described in the list below apply to this occupation.
- distinguish colors
- identify color or balance
- recognize characteristics of metals
- recognize wood species characteristics
- understand artistic crafts production methods
- recognize characteristics of cloth or fabric
- recognize wood characteristics
- understand measuring devices
- communicate visually or verbally
- study methods of processing, forming, or firing clays
- use spot or tack welding techniques
- use hand or power woodworking tools
- use power or hand tools in metals processing
- use precision measuring tools or equipment
- cut, shape, fit, or join wood or other construction materials
- cut or shape stone, tile, brick, or related material
- cut or trim fabric or leather
- hand engrave jewelry-related products
- fabricate craft or art objects
- polish jewelry, silverware or related products
- sharpen metal objects
- dye fabric or leather articles
- shape clay
- hand carve objects from stone or other materials
- use creativity to art or design work
- create art from ideas
- decorate using hand or power tools
- fabricate model or mold for jewelry, silverware or related products
- design molds
- sketch or draw subjects or items
Tasks
The list below outlines specific tasks that a worker in this occupation is called upon to do regularly.
- Create functional or decorative objects by hand, using a variety of methods and materials.
- Cut, shape, fit, join, mold, or otherwise process materials, using hand tools, power tools, or machinery.
- Apply finishes to objects being crafted.
- Develop concepts or creative ideas for craft objects.
- Select materials for use based on strength, color, texture, balance, weight, size, malleability and other characteristics.
- Advertise products and work, using media such as internet advertising and brochures.
- Set specifications for materials, dimensions, and finishes.
- Plan and attend craft shows to market products.
- Create prototypes or models of objects to be crafted.
- Confer with customers to assess customer needs or obtain feedback.
- Fabricate patterns or templates to guide craft production.
- Develop product packaging, display, and pricing strategies.
- Sketch or draw objects to be crafted.
- Research craft trends, venues, and customer buying patterns to inspire designs and marketing strategies.
- Develop designs using specialized computer software.

