Artisans and craftspersons
Career Overview
Artisans and craftspersons create items such as pottery, stained or blown glass, jewellery, rugs, blankets, other handicrafts, ornamental objects and artistic floral arrangements.
People in these careers can be self-employed, work on contract or may work as instructors for artisan guilds, colleges, private studios and recreational organizations. Floral arrangers are usually employed in florist shops and floral departments of retail establishments.
Artisans and craftpersons are highly creative and enjoy detailed work. They often work on their own but they need good people skills when speaking with clients or teaching students. Being able to use computers and other technology is important. Understanding how to market and sell their products is also helpful.
Craft instructors and makers of musical instruments are included in this group.
Job Titles
Duties
Carvers:
- Use hand tools and woodworking machines to make carvings from wood, stone and other materials
- Carve ornamental designs into wooden furniture and other objects
Floral arrangers:
- Design bouquets, corsages, sprays, wreaths and other floral arrangements
- Work with natural and artificial flowers, greenery and decorative pieces to create arrangements or other items for customers
Glass blowers:
- Design and create glass objects using blowpipes, hand tools and equipment
Instrument makers:
- Build instruments using:
- Hand and power tools
- Their knowledge of wood, ebonite, metal properties and other materials
- Their understanding of sound and instrument design
Metal arts workers:
- Design metal jewellery, utensils, implements, wall hangings and other objects
- Create objects using gold, silver, copper, pewter and other metals
Potters:
- Design ornamental and ceramic functional pieces
- Create pieces using clay, moulds, potter's wheels and other equipment, glazing materials and kilns
Stained glass artists:
- Design stained-glass windows, lampshades and other objects
- Cut, paint, fire and assemble pieces of stained glass to create products
- Kiln fire glass to create functional and decorative pieces
Weavers:
- Use their hands or a loom to overlap strips of material such as wool, cotton, silk, grasses, bark and rawhide
- Make baskets, wreaths, wall hangings, clothing, rugs, blankets and other objects
Artisan and craft instructors:
- Prepare lessons
- Gather materials needed
- Demonstrate and teach techniques and skills specific to their art or craft
Earnings
Earnings is income that workers receive in exchange for their labour. Depending on the type of employment, earnings can be in the form of wages (hourly), salaries (fixed monthly or annual) or self-employed earnings.
Work Environment
# Workers Employed
3,220% Employed Full Time
29%Most artisans and craftspersons are self-employed and have flexible hours. This may include working evenings and weekends. At times, they may need to work longer hours to fulfil a large order or to complete a custom piece to meet a deadline.
Some artisans and craftspersons have agents and managers and may show their work in galleries or at special showings. Others may sell at craft fairs, farmer’s markets, holiday markets and other seasonal events, which means that some months may be busier than others.
Artisans and craftspersons spend a great deal of time and effort marketing themselves and selling their work. They use online software and technology to keep track of inventory, sales and marketing. Most artisans and craftspersons have websites to keep up to date. They may also use social media and sales sites like etsy.com to sell their work.
It’s helpful for artisans and craftspersons to have business skills, including managing budgets, working out the costs of materials and time for production and pricing pieces. They may also need to manage shipments of their work to customers around the world.
Most people in these careers work in private studios or in their own homes, but some may also share a studio space where they may exhibit their work.
Studio surroundings are usually bright and have good natural light and ventilation. However, artisans and craftspersons may be exposed to fumes from glue, paint, ink and other materials such as dust or residue from filings, splattered paint or spilled fluids.
Artisans and craftspersons who sit for long periods of time may experience back pain, eyestrain or fatigue. Doing repetitive actions over many years may cause carpal tunnel syndrome and joint problems. It may also cause allergies to certain materials used, such as wool.
Career Pathways
Some artisans and craftspersons begin their careers with informal on-the-job training or are mentored by a more experienced person in their field.
With experience, workers may start their own businesses.
For those with additional education, they may teach at a community college or university.
Related Careers
Occupational Interests
It’s important to understand what kinds of occupations align with your interests.
For more about occupational interests visit Skills for the Future Workforce > Characteristics.
Here are the top occupational interest(s) for this career profile:
Education, Training and Skills
Artisans and craftspersons may receive training from a college, artisan guild, private studio or be mentored by a more experienced individual. They may also learn through on-the-job training. Other requirements may include:
- College diploma in metalwork, jewellery, stained glass, glass blowing, leather, papermaking, weaving, stringed instrument making or another fine craft technique
- Portfolio of work so clients and prospective employers can view the type and quality of work
- Business skills, including knowledge of e-commerce, digital marketing and social media
Education programs in B.C.
The following program areas are related to this occupation:
- Visual Arts
- Fibre, Textile and Weaving Arts
Skills
Every job calls for a certain set of skills. Knowing those skills is the first step in finding a good career fit.
Here, you will find the 10 most relevant workplace skills. Some are more important to achieving success in a certain career than others. These skills may come naturally to you or you may need to gain them through education, training and experience.
See the list of work-related skills below, ranked in order of importance for this career. Check out the list and see if this career matches your skills—take that first step!
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.
Talking to others to share information effectively.
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Understanding how new information could be used to solve current and future problems in making decisions.
Managing one’s own time and the time of others.
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Keeping track of and assessing your performance, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Being able to solve novel, ill-defined problems in complex, real-world settings.
Labour Market Statistics
Discover data, facts and information that have been gathered and analyzed. Learn about the characteristics of the economy and labour market in B.C.
Employment
Find out about employment types and trends by region and industry.
Employment
3,220Employment by Region
| Region | Employment | % Employment of this Occupation |
|---|---|---|
| Cariboo | 70 | 2.2% |
| Kootenay | 175 | 5.4% |
| Mainland/Southwest | 1,570 | 48.8% |
| North Coast and Nechako | 100 | 3.1% |
| Northeast | 15 | 0.5% |
| Thompson-Okanagan | 385 | 12.0% |
| Vancouver Island/Coast | 905 | 28.1% |
Labour Market Outlook
The B.C. Labour Market Outlook is a 10-year forecast of the expected supply and demand for labour in the province. It’s usually updated every year. The purpose is to provide British Columbians with the knowledge to make informed decisions on careers, skills training, education and hiring.
Forecasted Job Openings (2024-2034)
1,410Forecasted Job Openings
Forecasted Employment Growth Rate
Composition of Job Openings
Job Openings by Region (2024-2034)
| Region | Job Openings | Avg. Annual Employment Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Cariboo | 10 | -1.0% |
| Kootenay | 50 | 0.2% |
| Mainland/Southwest | 850 | 1.5% |
| North Coast and Nechako | 30 | 4.3% |
| Northeast | Not available | Not available |
| Thompson-Okanagan | 170 | 1.0% |
| Vancouver Island/Coast | 300 | 0.1% |
Industry Highlights
Learn about the opportunities in B.C.'s major industries, including employment trends, earning potential, locations of work and more.
Forecasted Job Openings by Industry
| Industry | Job Openings (2024-2034) |
|---|---|
| Information, Culture and Recreation | 560 |
| Retail Trade | 410 |
| Manufacturing | 170 |
| Educational Services | 70 |
| Professional, Scientific and Technical Services | 60 |
Insights from Industry
The health of the tourism industry affects artisans and craftspersons since visitors to the province often buy art and craft products as mementos and gifts. Also, a growing interest in Indigenous art is helping to create a larger international market for the work of artisans and craftspersons from British Columbia.
Since most artisans and craftspersons are self-employed, they must be able to manage their art or craft and have business skills, like marketing, sales and finance management.
Artisans and craftspersons can use technology to expand their marketing and connect with buyers. This helps reduce or remove commissions they pay to galleries and others. People with these jobs have greater success when they use a range of marketing tools. This includes showing their work at trade shows, craft fairs, studios, retail outlets and on social and digital media. Positive online reviews and word of mouth over social media platforms can increase sales.
Some artisans and craftspersons also teach classes or workshops online and in person. Classes can happen at an art college or a community college. There are also opportunities to hold workshops online or in person for groups, company team building efforts and other events.
Resources
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Canadian Crafts Federationwww.canadiancraftsfederation.ca
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Craft Council of British Columbiawww.craftcouncilbc.ca
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Potters Guild of British Columbiawww.bcpotters.com
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SkilledTradesBCskilledtradesbc.ca/
