Porch & Press

Elijah Vance

Senior Editor, Makers & Craft

As the Senior Editor for Makers & Craft at Porch & Press, Elijah Vance champions the stories behind heirloom-quality goods, sustainable materials, and American craftsmanship. He brings a discerning eye to everything from hand-thrown pottery to furniture history, exploring how intentional objects shape our homes and culture. Through detailed artisan profiles and product design coverage, his work connects readers directly with the creators who define the art of a well-lived life.

Expertise

American CraftsmanshipProduct DesignSustainable MaterialsArtisan ProfilesFurniture History

Coverage Areas

Makers & Craft
Goods & Finds

Latest Articles

Close-up of artisan hands weaving intricate patterns on a traditional loom, highlighting the skill and dedication involved in preserving cultural heritage.
Makers & Craft

Why Preserving Artisan Heritage Matters for Cultural Authenticity

From Parisian runways to fast-fashion racks, indigenous designs frequently appear, often without recognition or fair compensation for the artisans who originated them.

Jul 21, 2026 · 3 min read

Diverse artisans in a sunlit workshop crafting traditional textiles, pottery, and woodwork, blending ancient techniques with modern tools.
Makers & Craft

Artisanal Crafts: Supporting Tradition in 2026

Zishta works with over 650 artisans across 15 states, reviving more than 100 traditional crafts.

Jul 17, 2026 · 6 min read

A lively artisan market with diverse local makers showcasing handcrafted goods like jewelry and pottery to shoppers under golden hour sunlight.
Makers & Craft

Artisan Markets Surge, Proving Local Makers Aren't Going Anywhere

In North Texas alone, a single market organizer, The Boho Market, connects over 7,000 small businesses to customers through more than 50 community events annually.

Jul 16, 2026 · 3 min read

Master artisan's hands meticulously forging a handcrafted knife in a traditional workshop, showcasing dedication to traditional craftsmanship.
Makers & Craft

Knife Makers Preserving Traditional Craftsmanship

At a recent craft fair, Berkofsky's entire collection of handcrafted knives sold out.

Jul 12, 2026 · 3 min read

A bustling marketplace filled with authentic regional products and proud local artisans, symbolizing the value of Geographical Indication tags.
Makers & Craft

What is a Geographical Indication (GI) Tag and Why Does It Matter?

In 2017, products protected by Geographical Indication (GI) tags generated €74.

Jul 11, 2026 · 3 min read

Artisan's hands carefully stitching natural linen fabric, showcasing the detailed craftsmanship of handmade fashion.
Goods & Finds

The Rise of Handmade Fashion: Consumer Demand Surges Beyond Trends

In 2023, Etsy reported a 15% year-over-year increase in gross merchandise sales for handmade items, reaching $3.

Jul 7, 2026 · 4 min read

A lively artisan fair showcasing diverse handcrafted goods and engaged shoppers, highlighting economic and cultural exchange.
Makers & Craft

Artisan Fairs Boost Economies, Preserve Crafts

In Santa Fe, New Mexico, the International Folk Art Market (IFAM) generated $3.

Jul 6, 2026 · 3 min read

Close-up of intricate hand-carved wooden trim and a stained-glass window in a well-preserved historic home, highlighting artisanal craftsmanship.
Homes & Estates

Top 10 Artisanal Details & Craftsmanship for Historic Homes

The number of skilled artisans capable of maintaining historic homes is decreasing faster than they are being replaced, according to Pasadena Now .

Jul 4, 2026 · 7 min read

A diverse group of people browsing colorful stalls filled with unique handcrafted goods at a lively outdoor artisan market.
Goods & Finds

What Are the Benefits of Supporting Local Artisan Markets?

The Boho Market's curated events maintain stricter guidelines than typical craft shows, flea markets, or street fairs, ensuring a higher standard of goods.

Jul 1, 2026 · 3 min read

Skilled Indian artisans in Uttar Pradesh are shown actively engaged in creating traditional pottery and textiles, demonstrating the success of the ODOP initiative.
Makers & Craft

Uttar Pradesh ODOP empowers artisans, boosting crafts and local economies

In just two and a half years, Uttar Pradesh's exports have nearly doubled, surging from Rs 88,000 crore to Rs 1.

Jun 28, 2026 · 2 min read

Elderly master artisan's hands sculpting a clay idol, with a modern city skyline subtly visible in the background, representing the clash of tradition and modernity.
Makers & Craft

Master Artisans Awarded Lifetime Achievements Amidst Modernity's Erosion of Craft

On June 20, master artisan Haripada Pal, whose hands have shaped countless clay idols, was honored with the Crafts Villages Lifetime Achievement Award 2026 at Bengal Shilpalay in Dhanmondi, according

Jun 25, 2026 · 3 min read

A stark contrast between a large, commercial furniture exhibition hall and a small display of unique, handcrafted artisan furniture, emphasizing the dominance of mass-produced trends.
Makers & Craft

Furniture Exhibitions: Commercial Trends vs. True Craft

Last year's Milan Design Week drew over 370,000 visitors, yet a mere 5% of exhibiting brands represented independent artisans, according to the Salone del Mobile Report .

Jun 23, 2026 · 4 min read

Skilled artisan's hands shaping a ceramic bowl in a bustling, authentic marketplace, emphasizing genuine craftsmanship over mass production.
Goods & Finds

How to Identify Authentic Artisanal Goods

At many popular tourist markets, 'artisanal' goods are often mass-produced imitations, not genuine local crafts, according to indigenous research.

Jun 19, 2026 · 3 min read

Close-up of an artisan's hands weaving intricate patterns into a textile, with glowing AI design elements subtly integrated into the workspace, showcasing a fusion of tradition and technology.
Makers & Craft

Artisans Adapt Traditional Handicrafts to Meet Shifting Consumer Demand

Artisans now weave modern patterns into ancient crafts using AI-driven design tools, creating distinctive, highly marketable products.

Jun 17, 2026 · 3 min read

Split image contrasting a unique handmade ceramic vase with a modern, automated mass production line, symbolizing artisanal authenticity versus mass production.
Goods & Finds

Artisanal vs. Mass-Produced: Digital Authentication

The global Craft Authentication Market, a sector valued at USD 2 Billion in 2024, is projected to quadruple in scope, reaching USD 8 Billion by 2032, according to Futuredatastats .

Jun 17, 2026 · 3 min read

Traditional Kashmiri houseboats with intricate carvings on a low-water Dal Lake, symbolizing cultural heritage and environmental challenges.
Makers & Craft

Kashmir's Houseboats Face Preservation Challenges Amidst Cultural Decline

Farooq Ahmad Nagoo lost both of his houseboats to a prolonged dry spell, creating dry patches in the lake, a stark reminder of the environmental and policy challenges threatening Kashmir's iconic floa

Jun 8, 2026 · 3 min read

Close-up of a craftsman's hands carefully carving a wooden Torii gate with traditional Japanese tools in a bright workshop.
Makers & Craft

Learning Japanese woodcarving techniques online

For just 6 hours, an aspiring artisan can now join a live Zoom class to learn the intricate craft of building a Japanese Torii gate, a skill once passed down through decades of apprenticeship.

Jun 7, 2026 · 3 min read

Close-up of indigenous artisan's hands embroidering intricate details onto the Adidas Mexico World Cup jersey, showcasing traditional craftsmanship.
Makers & Craft

Adidas x Someone Somewhere El Tri Collection Weaves 150+ Artisans' Traditions

Over 15 months, 150 indigenous women artisans in Naupan, Puebla, meticulously brought 100,000 unique embellishments to life for Adidas's new Mexico World Cup jersey.

Jun 6, 2026 · 4 min read

A close-up view of handcrafted wooden bowls and ceramic mugs at a New England craft fair, showcasing regional artistry.
Goods & Finds

New England Home Goods Showcasing Regional Craftsmanship

In the past two years alone, The Great New England Craft & Artisan Shows, including the upcoming Sea Glass and Craft Festival, has channeled thousands of dollars into local charities according to GNE

Jun 5, 2026 · 5 min read

A close-up of an artisan's hands skillfully crafting a unique handmade object in a sunlit workshop, highlighting the dedication to regional craftsmanship.
Makers & Craft

How Regional Makers Are Thriving

The City of Staunton recently secured a $15,000 state grant in 2026, complemented by local business funds, to launch 'For the Love of,' a digital documentary series showcasing its regional makers.

Jun 3, 2026 · 3 min read