celebrating the handmade...

"The Arts and Crafts Movement was an aesthetic movement that flourished in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Begun in Britain by social reformers Walter Crane and John Ruskin, and designer William Morris, it was a reaction against the tastes of the Victorian era and the "soulless" machine-made products of the emerging Industrial Revolution. Their belief was that good design correlated to the notion of a good society. Workers under hardship by the working conditions and machines found in factories often created goods that were poor in design and quality. The movement's aim was to re-establish a harmony between architect, designer and craftsman, and to produce handmade, well-designed, affordable, everyday objects. These products would enhance the lives of ordinary people while providing fulfilling work for the craftsman."  {Source}

This fall we took a road trip to East Aurora, NY

to visit the Roycroft Campus.

It was founded by Elbert Hubbard in 1895,

after having met William Morris and discussing

"...the 'ideal' return to pre-industrial society where

all household items were handmade."

That's all I needed to hear, to know it is a place

I must see...

We visited several of the buildings, including the

Roycroft Inn--all amazing--as were the beautiful,

handcrafted items found in the museum and in the gift shop!

~~~~~

Of course, no trip to East Aurora is complete without

a visit to Vidler's 5 & 10...

...and a stop at a unique cafe for something

good to eat...

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Thank you, ladies, for stopping by this week to enter

Liz's eDiaperCakes giveaway,

and congratulations to the winner, Deborah!

~Deb