The Handmade Artisan Council has been working hard to create a definition and process for the award of the Certifies Handmade Artisan Artifact. In the process they also created a new artifact for Certified Master Artisan. Please feel free to review the info below and comment.
THANKS!
Definition for the artifact process.
Certified Handmade Artisan
1) 100% of the items listed in the studio must be listed in Handmade/Fine Art.
• No design/media
• No destash or supplies
• Artist must self certify to keep the studio that way
2) Artisan must have been a verified member for at least 60 days.
3) Artisan must have completed avatar, banner, bio, policies.
4) Artisan must have clear, in-focus pictures of sufficient size.
5) Artisan must complete Certified Handmade Artisan application and describe (in narrative form) their work, their process and their experience with this art/craft.
Applications would be queued and assigned randomly - if any two members of the council verify that the above has been met – the artifact is automatically awarded.
Being declined can be immediately appealed (once) to two different members of the council that review.
If application and appeal are denied re-application can occur every 6 months.
Certified Master Artisan
1) Must have been a Certified Handmade Artisan in good standing for a minimum 90 days.
2) Artisan must meet all criteria for Certified Handmade Artisan
3) Artisan must submit application with sample listings and supporting docs to a council of Subject Matter Experts (SME) These are practitioners of this craft and will eventually be comprised of Certified Master Artisans in the category.
Supporting Docs can include but are not limited to as determined by the SME)
• Electronic copies of awards, certificates, training, etc.
• Proof of professional (paid ) work
• Photos of workspace, studio etc.
• Any knowledge or craft descriptions or testing as set by the SME
4) The SME will review docs, application and studio and make a subjective determination as to whether the applicant as achieved an advanced level of artisan status based on the following.
* The top quality nature of the items
* The record of community involvement on the Artfire community
* The quality and aesthetic/informational appeal and number of photographs provided in the listing
* The training, education or professional experience in the art form
* The diversity and breadth demonstrated in the artisans chosen craft
* The determination that the artisans work is at an advanced level of accomplishment
Final decisions will be made by SME. In the event of denial - no immediate appeal is provided. However, re-application can be made every 6 months.
Violations -
For the Certified Handmade Artisan Badge. The badge can be revoked if violation of the above standards occurs.
A member at large of the artfire community may communicate concern of such violation directly to the handmade council via internal message. (not flagging, but a form via council contact option)
If a violation is determined to have occurred the handmade council will provide a written warning to the artisan specifying what action must be taken to return to compliance and providing 10 days to comply.
A) Decisions to act or not on a report/complaint are the sole purview of the handmade council.
B) Republishing such reports via artfire community forums or other methods in an attempt to damage an artisans business without due process provided by council review will nullify the complaint and may be a violation of the Artfire.com TOS.
Additional Rules
1) The reviewing council members would remain anonymous in both the application and appeal process.
2) members sending complaint about a certified handmade Artisan would be known to council members. If complaint was determined to be valid and action was taken and artifact holder who was warned requests the full complaint - then the user name would also be sent to them (right to know accuser in that case).
3) If a council member has past history or is direct competitor with an applicant s/he must excuse themselves from the review/appeal. Failure to do so can result in loss of council member status as determined by the staff member heading the council.
Posted: 40 Week(s) Ago | 
