Artisans and craftspersons

National Occupation Code (NOC): 5244

This unit group includes those who 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.

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Job Duties for Artisans and craftspersons

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.

Working Conditions for Artisans and craftspersons

Work is typically performed sitting down for long periods in private studios or the worker's home, but some may also share a studio space with other workers. Studio surroundings are usually bright and well-ventilated; this is necessary due to fumes emitted by glue, paint, ink and other materials such as dust or residue from filings, splattered paint or spilled fluids.

Alternate Job Titles

  • Aboriginal Art Carver
  • Aboriginal Craftwork Instructor
  • Artificial Flower Presser
  • Artisan
  • Artistic Bouquet Designer
  • Artistic Floral Arranger
  • Artistic Floral Bouquet Designer
  • Artistic Floral Designer
  • Arts And Crafts Teacher (except Education)
  • Bag Maker - Arts And Crafts
  • Balalaika Maker
  • Basket Weaver
  • Batik Artisan
  • Bellows Maker
  • Canoe Builder - Arts And Crafts
  • Canoe Repairer - Arts And Crafts
  • Carver
  • Cello Maker
  • Ceramic Artist
  • Ceramic Potter
  • Ceramics Teacher (except Education)
  • Ceramist
  • Copperplate Engraver - Artisan
  • Craft Instructor (except Education)
  • Craft Weaver
  • Craftsman/woman
  • Craftsperson
  • Custom Furniture Caner
  • Decorative Engraver
  • Drum Maker - Artisan
  • Enameller - Arts And Crafts
  • Enamellist - Arts And Crafts
  • Fabric Artisan
  • Fabric Artist
  • Floral Arrangements Designer
  • Floral Designer
  • Glass Blower
  • Glass Engraver
  • Glass Novelty Maker
  • Glass Painter
  • Goldsmith
  • Guitar Maker
  • Hand Artificial Flower Maker
  • Hand Beadworker
  • Hand Bookbinder
  • Hand Candle Maker
  • Hand Carver, Stones
  • Hand Case Maker
  • Hand Crocheter
  • Hand Dollmaker
  • Hand Embroiderer
  • Hand Enameller
  • Hand Engraver
  • Hand Glassworker
  • Hand Jewellery Artisan
  • Hand Knitter
  • Hand Leather Worker
  • Hand Metalworker
  • Hand Needleworker
  • Hand Papermaker
  • Hand Quilter
  • Hand Rug Maker
  • Hand Silk Flower Maker
  • Hand Spinner
  • Hand Stone Carver
  • Hand Weaver
  • Hand Woodenware Carver
  • Hand Woodworker
  • Harpsichord Builder
  • Jewellery Engraver
  • Lace Weaver - Arts And Crafts
  • Leather Worker
  • Machine Engraver - Arts And Crafts
  • Mandolin Maker
  • Master Glass Blower
  • Master Glassmaker
  • Metal Arts Worker
  • Metal Engraver
  • Musical Instrument Maker - Artisan
  • Nameplate Engraver
  • Native Art Carver
  • Native Craftwork Instructor
  • Panflute Maker
  • Pantograph Engraver - Arts And Crafts
  • Pipe Organ Builder
  • Poker-work Artisan
  • Potter
  • Pyrographer
  • Reproduction Woodcarver
  • Rughooker
  • Scientific Glass Apparatus Blower
  • Screen Printing Artisan
  • Silversmith
  • Silverware Engraver
  • Stained Glass Artist
  • Stained Glass Designer
  • Stained Glass Painter
  • Steel Engraver - Arts And Crafts
  • Stringed Instrument Maker
  • Tepee Maker
  • Tie-dye Artisan
  • Tole Painter
  • Totem Pole Carver
  • Violin Maker
  • Weaver - Arts And Crafts
  • Weaving Instructor (except Education)
  • Woodcarver
  • Wreath Maker
  • Candle Maker
  • Florist