Artisans and craftspersons

Overview

Artisans and craftspersons use manual and artistic skills to design and make ornamental objects, pottery, stained glass, jewellery, rugs, blankets, other handicrafts and artistic floral arrangements. Makers of musical instruments are also included in this unit group. Most craftspersons are self-employed. Artistic floral arrangers are usually employed in florist shops and floral departments of retail establishments, or may be self-employed. Craft instructors are also included in this unit group and are employed by artisan guilds, colleges, private studios and recreational organizations.

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

  • Carvers

  • Use hand tools and woodworking machines to produce carvings from wood, stone and other materials and to carve ornamental designs into wooden furniture and other objects.

  • Glass blowers

  • Design and create glass objects using blowpipes and artisan's hand tools and equipment.

  • Metal arts workers

  • Design metal jewellery, utensils, implements, wall hangings and other objects and create them from gold, silver, copper, pewter and other metals.

  • Potters

  • Design ornamental and ceramic functional earthenware pieces and create them using clay, moulds, potter's wheels and other equipment, glazing materials and kilns.

  • Stained glass artists

  • Design stained glass windows, lampshades and other objects and cut, paint, fire and assemble pieces of stained glass to create such products.

  • Instrument makers

  • Construct instruments by applying their knowledge of wood, ebonite, metal properties and other materials and instrument design using hand and power tools.

  • Weavers

  • Use hands or loom to interlace strips of flexible material such as wool, cotton, silk, grasses, bark and rawhide to make baskets, wreaths, wall hangings, clothing, rugs, blankets and other objects.

  • Craft instructors

  • Prepare craftmaking lessons, gather the required working materials and demonstrate and teach craftmaking techniques.

  • Artistic floral arrangers

  • Design bouquets, corsages, sprays, wreaths and other floral arrangements and select natural and artificial flowers, foliage and decorative accessories to create arrangements or other floral items to suit customers' requirements.

Job titles

  • Aboriginal art carver
  • Aboriginal craftwork instructor
  • artificial flower presser
  • artisan
  • artistic bouquet designer
  • artistic floral arranger

Employment prospects

Source: BC Labour Market Outlook 2024 edition

Annual salary

Low

$36,289

Median

$46,926

High

$69,868

Job openings

Use this interactive map to explore job openings in different regions across B.C.

British Columbia

742

expected job openings (5-year forecast)

Education and training

Employment requirements

  • Skills are often learned through apprenticeship with a master craftsperson.

  • Training programs are offered by artisan guilds, colleges and private studios.

  • Creative ability and talent, as demonstrated by a portfolio of work, and knowledge of safe handling of material, tools and equipment are required.

Certification requirements

  • No certification requirements

Post-secondary programs in B.C.

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