“Be Careful What You Wish For…”
You know the Chinese adage, "Be careful what you wish for, you may receive it."
When, as a fifth year high school English teacher, I was searching for my next career, I thought I wanted to own a small town weekly newspaper in Iowa. I spent…
Coping with the Heat
It's hard not thinking, talking and writing about The Heat.
Millions of people without any electricity for their air conditioners, fans and refrigerators. More than 22 heat related fatalities.
And a sense of helplessness as we watch images…
To An Athlete Dying Young
On Friday, June 9th, my nephew Army Specialist Bryant Luxmore was shot and killed by two snipers as he led his platoon down an unnamed street in an unknown village in Afghanistan. He was 25. "BJ", as he was known to everyone, had earned a…
Tales of the Bizarre – Arts & Crafts Style
One of the benefits of doing research is coming across all sorts of unusual (or is it 'useless' ?) information about the Arts & Crafts pioneers we often place on pedestals. But one of the advantages of having this website is that we can…
Dead Trees and Downy Woodpeckers
I have a thing about dead trees.
As someone who owns five chain saws, two of which I bought myself, the third was a gift from the Grove Park Inn (that's a story for another time), the fourth was left behind by a renter who skipped out in…
About Us
ArtsandCraftsCollector.com is a website dedicated to exploring the works, artisans, historical origins and the contemporary revival of the American Arts & Crafts Movement. The historic movement started as a response to the country’s Industrial Revolution and encouraged simple design paying tribute to the natural world over the intricate design of the Victorian era.