When a person is making something he wants to sell, it's art. (think: papercasting)

What his competition is making are crafts. (papier mache)

I've seen horrible "art" and fantastic "crafts".

Personally, I don't think the media matters. If the design and craftsmanship is very good, it's art.  If the design is poor and the execution/workmanship is bad, it isn't even craft, it's just junk.  I've seen oils in art shows that would gag a goat.

Actually, a lot of the conflict and name-calling is nothing but backbiting  between people who are insecure. The real artists don't have the time to waste because they've got paying customers waiting on them.

Sue

I'm gonna call mine crart!    That should satisfy everybody!

I think that is a great idea Lengo. Who knows? You might find that you end up starting a new fad/label. 

Art. Human creative skill or its application.
...
Then you have the Arts & craft movement around 1880-1910. who's  rebellion against the over elaborate fashion and the design of the time and the attempt to reverse the growing dehumanisation of work in society. ...

So if it was good enough for the likes of MacKintosh, Ruskin & William Morris it will do for me  .

Sue.

That's informative! 

I've given this some thought, and pretty much on the same lines.

How many artists have been put out of work by computers? How many more artists and craftsmen would Disney Studios have if it weren't for computers.  Artists are craftspeople are needed in just about every industry! Cars need to be modeled. Toasters have to be modeled. Even bag clips have to be modeled! Most of those jobs are now for the computer elite, who design 'em on a computer, and let the computer make it too. The rest of us got jobs that are less than satisfying -- BORING!

Look at all the jobs that are lost thanks to the computer!

Another thing:  This is great therapy! You gain a sense of accomplishment. You own your work -- your time and your product, how it's designed and how it gets done! It's your work, in all senses of the word. And doctors call it therapy. Occupational therapy! It's not therapy! It's doing what we were meant to do. We were given hands for a reason. If we don't use them, you may end up 'losing it', and need therapy!

Sheesh!

I think I've figgered out the difference -- there is none! There's folk art, and high art. Pick one. Craft is merely a name for a sub-group of art.

You wanna make your art count? First and formost, put it on display. If nobody can see it, it isn't art. Period. Secondly, sign and date it! A cereal box is artistic, but it's not signed. It's not art anymore. It became packaging!

So, use your hands to stay mentally eased. Display your stuff, or it ain't anything! Lastly, sign and date it, so we know who made it, and when.  It's not art unless it's signed!


That'll be fity dollars US for the consulting fee.