Southern Appalachian Digital Collections

Western Carolina University (20) View all

In considering the field of handicrafts ...

  • wcu_craft_revival-1430.jpg
  • This document outlines the reasons why craft workers should be allowed to make low hourly wages. This particular document was most likely written in response to new minimum wage laws that would put many craft artists out of business if they had to comply. There was much discussion of this topic at Southern Highland Handicraft Guild meetings from 1939 through the early 1940s. Since the Guild was formed in 1930, there was much deliberation among Guild members about the definition of "craft," how to determine a standard measure of "quality," and how to determine a marketable price for handmade items. While the Guild generally worked to educate the public on why quality crafts can be expensive, the changing laws forced the Guild to advocate for craft artists to be exempt from minimum wage laws.