The first episode takes a personal tour through craft's history in America. The intimate stories of some of the country's most prominent craft artisans are set against the larger historical context of craft itself. The episode includes visits to woodworker Sam Maloof, furniture maker Garry Knox Bennett, basket makers Mary Jackson and Pat Courtney Gold and metalsmith Tom Joyce.

The second episode examines the relationship of craft artists with their physical environment, which serves as a source of materials and inspiration. The program spotlights Timberline Lodge, woodworker George Nakashima and his daughter Mira, jewelers Kit Carson and Jan Yager and ceramicists David Gurney and Richard Notkin.

The second episode examines the relationship of craft artists with their physical environment, which serves as a source of materials and inspiration. The program spotlights Timberline Lodge, woodworker George Nakashima and his daughter Mira, jewelers Kit Carson and Jan Yager and ceramicists David Gurney and Richard Notkin.

The final episode focuses on the spiritual connection between artisans and their communities. The personal stories of gifted artisans reveal the deeply held belief that craft is about more than just the making of an object. The episode profiles Pilchuck School of Glass, Penland School of Craft, Mississippi Cultural Crossroads, potter Sarah Jaeger, jewelry maker Denise Wallace and the team of basket maker Dona Look and master jeweler Ken Loeber.

Discover the origins of American crafts through the artisans practicing these crafts today.

Discover the origins of American crafts through the artisans practicing these crafts today.

Discover places that teach craft at all levels, from DIY to advanced, plus individuals keeping the craft tradition alive and expanding on them.

This episode looks at the ways many craft artists go beyond skill to personal and political expression. They use craft to tell a story, prove a point, or bring attention to contemporary issues. Often their work is passionate and provocative. The artists selected for "Messages" express many different interests and points of view, but they have one thing in common: their skill and creativity are of the highest level.

This episode looks at the ways many craft artists go beyond skill to personal and political expression. They use craft to tell a story, prove a point, or bring attention to contemporary issues. Often their work is passionate and provocative. The artists selected for "Messages" express many different interests and points of view, but they have one thing in common: their skill and creativity are of the highest level.

Is talent inherited? What's it like to live in a household where objects are made by hand? Former President Jimmy Carter shares stories of the late Ed Moulthrop, a fellow Georgian known as the father of modern woodturning and the father of a family of craft artists who are following in his footsteps. The program also highlights the glass creations of the Marioni family in Seattle, the inventions of ceramicist Cliff Lee and metal artist Holly Lee in rural Pennsylvania, and the inspirations that Oklahoma bootmaker Lisa Sorell provides for her daughters.

Explore woven textiles and story quilts by artists Faith Ringgold of Harlem, Randall Darwall of Cape Cod, Consuelo Jimenez Underwood in California and Terese Agnew in Wisconsin.

Explore woven textiles and story quilts by artists Faith Ringgold of Harlem, Randall Darwall of Cape Cod, Consuelo Jimenez Underwood in California and Terese Agnew in Wisconsin.

Follow the evolution of American craft in its drive toward exploration, experimentation and innovation, a move toward new forms and creative solutions. Through the work of Tanya Agui?iga, Lia Cook and three Minnesota clay artists, explore their trailblazing attempts to cross-pollinate culture, aesthetics and technologies, moving forward the development of American craft.

Follow young Chloe Darke as she begins her career as a silversmith at Old Newbury Crafters; Iraqi war veterans Tom Pullin and Jeremiah Holland as they turn to art as an antidote to the harsh realities of war; and Albert Paley, master metal sculptor, who uses knowledge from his 50-year career to build monumental artworks for New York City's Park Avenue.

Follow young Chloe Darke as she begins her career as a silversmith at Old Newbury Crafters; Iraqi war veterans Tom Pullin and Jeremiah Holland as they turn to art as an antidote to the harsh realities of war; and Albert Paley, master metal sculptor, who uses knowledge from his 50-year career to build monumental artworks for New York City's Park Avenue.

This program celebrates some of our most important traditions. Nordic folk woodcarver Harley Refsal brings to life the rich history of winter solstice. Clay artist Susan Garson creates fanciful Chanukah menorahs. George Vanderbilt's opulent turn-of-the-century Christmas is recreated at the Biltmore in Asheville, North Carolina. Daring chefs make lavish gingerbread houses for the competition at Grove Park Inn. Navidad is celebrated in San Antonio with religious processions, tamales and Kathleen Trenchard's sparkling luminarias. Garcia Art Glass makes colorful ornaments, and Veronica Castillo creates a traditional Mexican Tree of Life.

"Industry" explores the business of the handmade, going into workshops where artists are crafting the future and making contributions to the local and national economies. The program highlights the important connection between the consumer and the maker and explores the value of exquisitely crafted handmade objects in today's creative economy.

"Industry" explores the business of the handmade, going into workshops where artists are crafting the future and making contributions to the local and national economies. The program highlights the important connection between the consumer and the maker and explores the value of exquisitely crafted handmade objects in today's creative economy.

"Service," part of the PBS veterans initiative Stories of Service, is the story of craft and the military. From the origins of the Army Arts & Crafts Program and the G.I. Bill to contemporary soldiers and veterans, "Service" documents the power of the handmade to inspire, motivate and heal. Featured artists are Eugene Burks, Jr., Pam DeLuco, Judas Recendez, Ehren Tool and Peter Voulkos.

Focus on the makers of finely crafted handmade instruments - guitar, ukulele, trumpet, banjo and timpani - and the renowned musicians who play them, including Joan Baez, Jake Shimabukuro, Rhiannon Giddens, Scotty Barnhart, Tony Ellis and Joseph Pereira.

Focus on the makers of finely crafted handmade instruments - guitar, ukulele, trumpet, banjo and timpani - and the renowned musicians who play them, including Joan Baez, Jake Shimabukuro, Rhiannon Giddens, Scotty Barnhart, Tony Ellis and Joseph Pereira.

Home features Ojibwe artist Biskakone Greg Johnson, North House Folk School, ceramic artist Syd Carpenter, sculptor Wharton Esherick, architect Sim Van der Ryn & the Outlaw Builders, and curatorial consultant/educator Helen Drutt English.

This episode explores craft artists, objects and traditions of various holidays, featuring Lion Dancers and float builders of San Francisco's Chinese New Year Parade, ceramic artists in Detroit making festive pieces at Pewabic Pottery and Motawi Tileworks, Kwanzaa celebrations in Chicago and Oakland, and woodblock Christmas cards made by Yoshiko Yamamoto in Washington state.

Follow artists committed to passing on their skills and passion for craft to new generations. Featured are Barbara Teller Ornelas, Lynda Teller Pete, Therman Statom, Mark Mitsuda at Punahou School and Linda Sikora at Alfred University.

Follow artists committed to passing on their skills and passion for craft to new generations. Featured are Barbara Teller Ornelas, Lynda Teller Pete, Therman Statom, Mark Mitsuda at Punahou School and Linda Sikora at Alfred University.

NATURE celebrates the beauty, inspiration, and future of the American landscape. Featured artists include Patrick Dougherty, Mary Merkel-Hess, Michelle Holzapfel, Catherine Alice Michaelis, and Preston Singletary.

Explore the relationships and influences Mexican and American craft artists have on each other and on our cultures. The program features traditional weaving and the creation of paper jewelry.

Explore the relationships and influences Mexican and American craft artists have on each other and on our cultures. The program features traditional weaving and the creation of paper jewelry.