Skilled work made by hand without machines, such as woodworking, pottery, or weaving; the craft itself or the objects produced.
From Old English 'handcræft,' combining 'hand' and 'craft' (from Old English 'cræft' meaning strength or skill). Originally referred to any skilled manual work as opposed to agricultural labor.
While factories mass-produced identical items, handcraft traditions preserved knowledge that took lifetimes to master—a single Japanese potter might spend 50 years perfecting one technique.
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