We know that Artisans are as individual as the handmade items they produce. In order to help you promote that individuality in the marketplace and to recognize your contributions to Art Fire, each other, and the world, we created the Artifact program.
Artifacts are graphic representations of activities our artisans engage in, service they perform or groups to which they belong. Artifacts are another way for artisans to demonstrate the great things they do and build depth and trust for their work and personality with buyers in the marketplace.
An Artisan can collect unlimited artifacts. Each artisan can choose to display some, all, or none of the artifacts by their user name and in their artifact section of their profile. Some artifacts are automatically assigned and many are only awarded after an approval or certification process. By creating the artifact program on artfire.com we hope to increase the diversity, uniqueness, and individuality of expression that can be demonstrated and recognized in the artisan community.
Certified Handmade Artisan
Not all items are made directly by Artisan hands. There are a thousand different definitions for creativity for an Artisan. There are many different types of creative artisans in our community and we welcome and celebrate them all. Yet, there is something very special about a handmade item. If you see this artifact you know that the artisan has been through a juried review process and 100% of the items listed in their shop are made by hand by the Artisan. This artifact is the symbol of total commitment to making each and every item with your own two hands. That commitment is very special, and it deserves recognition.
Charter Artisan
The first verified members of artfire.com become charter members. This artifact represents the artisan’s trail blazing nature and commitment to the artfire.com artisan community. As long as the member’s verified status is in force, the charter member artifact can be displayed next to their user name. If an artisan loses verified status and then returns, the badge will no longer be available.
Guild Artisan
This artifact indicates that the artisan is a member of at least one trade guild. Guilds are a team system within the handmade community that provide for cooperative efforts to learn, teach, compete, and improve the community and the arts. Guilds have their own virtual Guild Hall, forums, Art Cast channel, and Gallery. A Guild Artisan is an active participant in at least one Trade Guild.
Nature Force Artisan
A Nature Force Artisan has made an additional commitment to the environmental work done by artfire.com. Initially this artifact can be earned by agreeing to plant 12 more trees per year by paying $1 per month more for verified status. In the future participation in Art Fire environmental programs or organic certification may also result in the award of the Nature Force Artisan artifact. Nature force artisans are committed to positively benefitting our environment.
Designer Artisan
A Designer artisan has won an art or craft competition or been voted the best in show. Various competitions and contests on Art Fire serve to bring out the best from our Handmade Artisans. Winners and award recipients will receive the recognition of their peers and the right to display the Designer Artisan Artifact.
Guild Master Artisan
Similar to the Guild Artisan artifact, this symbolizes the status of Guild Master. Guild Masters are the leader of a trade Guild and serve as a contact point and coordinator for Guild activities and membership. Guild Masters also play special role in the development of our artisan marketplace by participating in the development and testing of new features or services for Artfire.com.
Forge Master Artisan
To be a Forge Master an Artisan must have successfully completed five Forge transactions. Forging is the commission process used by buyers to request custom items from artisans. Our most successful and responsive Forging Artisans can become Forge Master Artisans and display this Artifact. When choosing an artisan to forge an item for you the Forge Master Artisan artifact is a symbol of that Artisans ability and success.
Fire Mentor Artisan
Fire Mentor artisans are a very select group of people. These Artisans are well versed in the process and services of Art Fire. They have agreed to help new artisans and sellers get the most out of Art Fire. If you are stuck and need to ask a quick question, or just want to learn from the best, you should contact a Fire Mentor Artisan. The list of Fire Mentor Artisans currently online can be found via our help link. Fire Mentor Artisans must apply or be invited and the number of Fire Mentors is limited. Fire Mentor Artisans are wonderful guides and helpful mentors in our handmade artisan community.
Art Cast Artisan
These media savvy Artisans are frequent contributors to Art Cast the artisan video site. After contributing at least 10 videos and receiving 1,000 views an Artisan is designated an Art Cast Artisan. Art Cast artisans are helping to educate, inform and inspire our community and handmade marketplace. Be sure to check out their crafting videos and other media.
Contributor
This artifact recognizes artisans who have contributed to Art Daily through a submission, featured item, cartoon or technique. Contributors to any community help to improve it. Our contributors are recognized with this snazzy cub reporter style button.
Columnist
Select Artisans are asked to be columnists in Art Daily. These folks publish insight, inspiration and innovation on a regular basis and are the backbone of the Art Daily publication. If you see this artifact you can rest assured that the artisan who displays it is one of our experts.
Innovator
Almost every day we get suggestions from our artfire.com member artisans on how to make Art Fire better. We listen to every idea for improving the handmade community. While we can’t implement all of them right away, we do try to roll out innovations from our artisans on a regular basis. If an artisan suggests something that we use to improve the sight, they are awarded the innovator artifact. The artisans with this artifact have helped to make artfire.com a better handmade artisan community.
Moderator Artisan
Like all community driven sites artfire.com has moderators. These artisans help to ensure that our community is inclusive and represents the diverse and dynamic artisan interests of crafters everywhere. Moderators perform traditional duties in forums and chat areas while also serving to review flagged items and help ensure that all artisans can participate on equal footing.
Ombudsman Artisan
In any self-regulating community there are people who serve to gather feedback and concerns and take these directly to the people who can do something about it. The ombudsman artifact is reserved for those select few Artisans who have agreed to serve in this vital role for artfire.com. These Artisans are building bridges between artisans with ideas and concerns and the future success we can have as a community. Ombudsman Artisans are key members in the development process of artfire.com.
Council Member Artisan
Council Members serve an important role in the Art Fire Interactive Artisan Community. Our council members approve guild applications, determine handmade status, review flagged items and serve in an advisory role for the development team. There are many different councils within the artfire.com community, but all council members are helping to improve our marketplace. This artifact serves to let everyone know that these artisans are active participants working to improve artfire.com.
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