Explore 128 Crafts Collections - Atlas Obscura
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Eegeesiak Shoo holds up his carving of a walrus in Makigiarvik jail.
art

The Incarcerated Inuit Artists Who Carve to Support Their Families

In the frigid city of Iqaluit, Canada, a men's jail has become an unlikely part of the art market.
Jennifer Bain March 3, 2020
Tokyo, Japan

Owaraji (Giant Straw Sandals)

An enormous pair of straw sandals woven in the traditional way—to keep demons at bay.
The mango button lock opens only when you turn the key after pressing a hidden button.
security

The Devilishly Difficult Locks of Dindigul

These unique handcrafted mechanisms are designed to protect homes, confound cashiers, and outthink thieves.
Kamala Thiagarajan February 21, 2020
Guillermo del Toro after winning an Academy Award for 'The Shape of Water'
Reynosa, Mexico

Piñatería Ramírez

Traditional craftwork and modern pop culture merge in this piñata workshop.
Jean Strazzeri, one of the last traditional glovemakers in France, pictured in his Grenoble workshop.
machines

The Delicate Art of Glove-Making Lives On in the French Alps

“I could have retired long ago, but I don’t want this profession to die with me."
Sukhada Tatke January 21, 2020
At this Gullah Geechee home on Daufuskie Island, South Carolina, painted doors and shutters keep out evil spirits called "haints."
ghosts

What the Color 'Haint Blue' Means to the Descendants of Enslaved Africans

In the Lowcountry, the unique shade is both protective talisman and source of unspeakable suffering.
Shoshi Parks January 14, 2020
The workshop.
San Agustín Etla, Mexico

Taller Arte Papel (Paper Art Workshop)

This art center located in a former hydroelectric plant uses native plants to create paper for kites, bags, jewelry, and more.
FONART Patriotismo.
Mexico City, Mexico

FONART Patriotismo

This warehouse-gallery-shop hybrid showcases Mexican craftwork at its best.
A hairy monkey diorama made by Ying Li, showing a picnic in the park and a vendor selling pumpkins.
dioramas

How Chinese Artisans Turn Dead Cicadas Into ‘Hairy Monkeys’

These traditional handicrafts require exoskeletons, magnolia buds, and a steady hand.
Marina Wang December 19, 2019
Detail shot of Rita's quilt. The hexagons are decorated with the outlines of the 50 U.S. states, along with their official birds and animals.
art

The Surprising Complexity of an Unfinished American Quilt

A community of feminist crafters grapples with a patriotic quilt that a 99-year-old nurse left behind.
Claire Voon December 12, 2019
An adult Kemp's ridley sea turtle heading to sea.
turtles

The World's Tiniest Sea Turtles Keep Getting Stranded on Cape Cod

Floating devices called "drifters" are helping oceanographers understand why.
Sabrina Imbler December 9, 2019
Excavations conducted after the lidar survey revealed the extent of the bead-making village.
islands

Found: A Prehistoric Bead-Making Factory Town Off the Florida Coast

The kinds of beads they made were coveted far and wide a thousand years ago.
Isaac Schultz November 5, 2019
Several smaller alebrijes for sale in Tilcajete.
San Martín Tilcajete, Mexico

Alebrijes of San Martín Tilcajete

This Oaxacan town is known for its colorful fantastical creatures hand-carved by local artisans.
Minibyen Sæby on a sunny day.
Sæby, Denmark

Minibyen Sæby

Residents of this seaside village are building a miniature 1:10 scale version of their historic town.
Seattle, Washington

Ars Obscura

In this subterranean brick arcade, a small shop continues the ancient practice of bookbinding.
If this looks relaxing to you, you're not alone.
sleep

Respect the Hammock, One of Humanity’s Greatest Creations

In praise of an excellent idea with a long, complicated history.
Dan Nosowitz August 23, 2019
Tobacco boxes
Mexico City, Mexico

Franz Mayer Museum Silver Collection

A shining treasure trove of fine Mexican silver dating back to the 15th century.
Vilnius, Lithuania

Margutis Easter Egg

A 300-kilogram egg sculpture that embodied a neighborhood revival.