An artisan makes things by hand. The word comes from the Latin artitus, meaning skilled, and from the Italian artigiano. An artisan is not just a laborer. They are a craftsperson who has learned a trade through years of practice. They make furniture, jewelry, pottery, bread, cheese, or shoes. They work with their hands and their tools. They take pride in the quality of the work.

Artisans work in many fields. A potter throws clay on a wheel. A blacksmith forges iron at a forge. A weaver works at a loom. A baker kneads dough. A jeweler sets stones. Each has a specialty. Each has a set of skills. The artisan is not a factory. The artisan is not a machine. The artisan is a person who makes things one at a time, with attention to detail.

Artisan goods are often more expensive than mass-produced goods. The artisan cannot compete on price. The artisan competes on quality. The artisan's work has character. It has flaws. It has a story. The artisan's name may be on the label. The artisan's reputation depends on the work. The artisan is not a brand. The artisan is a person. The artisan is the same.