Craftsmen of Necessity

By The Mother Earth News Editors
Published on November 1, 1974
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“Craftsmen of Necessity” showcases modern homesteading skills such as fixing a wheel.
“Craftsmen of Necessity” showcases modern homesteading skills such as fixing a wheel.
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Create a pen for your farm animals out of reclaimed wood.
Create a pen for your farm animals out of reclaimed wood.
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Learn how to construct ceiling supports in “Craftsmen of Necessity.”
Learn how to construct ceiling supports in “Craftsmen of Necessity.”
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Read about different homes around the world such as these clay domes.
Read about different homes around the world such as these clay domes.
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Create unique window designs out of repurposed materials.
Create unique window designs out of repurposed materials.
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Farm animals can help out with more arduous tasks such as moving equipment.
Farm animals can help out with more arduous tasks such as moving equipment.
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Learn about the different tools for homesteading in “Craftsmen of Necessity.”
Learn about the different tools for homesteading in “Craftsmen of Necessity.”

Christopher Williams’ Craftsmen of Necessity is about the creation of useful objects — including shelter — by the native artisans of Europe and the Near East. It’s about Berber stone villages, the wood houses of Rumania, Syrian blacksmith work, Finnish farm tools, Sicilian plows, Egyptian boats and a wealth of other handsome, durable contrivances . . . all made of readily available materials by craftsmen who know the secret of working with — not against — nature.

If you’re a lover of good design, this book is for you . . . and we’ve reproduced just a few of Charlotte Williams’ photos to show you why. Craftsmen of Necessity is published by Random House, costs $3.95 in paperback or $10.00 in hard cover and can be found at local bookstores.

From Craftsmen of Necessity by Christopher Williams. Copyright © 1968, 1973, 1974 by Christopher Williams. Reprinted by permission of Random House, Inc.

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