Recommended Watching
Steady Craftin YouTube Channel
by Your Host, the CrafsMan
With a soft voice and a hidden identity, the CrafsMan (he says it's the way his grandma said crafts) has become a You Tube sensation. He never shows his face, and his hands are always covered with black nitrile gloves so no one knows what he looks like, adding to the mystique.
The CrafsMan is portrayed by a somewhat crudely-made hand puppet, though even the puppet is not seen a lot on camera. Instead we mostly see the gloved hands, a rustic workshop, an eclectic collection of toys, tools, and supplies, and the creation of a wide variety of art and crafts.
He is truly a polymath, a man of many talents and enthusiasms, and he seems genuinely dedicated to encouraging creativity and experimentation in his viewers. In his shop found objects become works of art, repurposing is encouraged, and DIY solutions abound. If a process or product is expensive and there is a cheaper alternative, the CrafsMan probably knows about it and will share it with his audience.
His gentle presentation has been likened to the late Bob Ross (he of "happy little trees" fame) and it's an apt comparison. His folksy wisdom and non-judgmental attitude are a soothing antidote to the craziness that abounds in the world around us.
I am told there are people who watch his videos just to listen to his voice.
Some of the first Steady Craftin videos I saw were of found-object art, with his explanation of how he just gathers interesting pieces wherever he finds them and stores them until an object or group of objects strikes his fancy. The results are quirky and delightful.
He is also quite adept at various casting methods and materials. One recent video covered how to make your own rubber stamps, and in previous installments he's done both silicon and resin casting, with explanations of the wide range of materials available and the differences between them.
The CrafsMan's projects cover a wide range - Want to build a pinhole camera, learn the basics of stop-motion animation, or make a ring from a spoon? There's a video for that - and while it may not directly address your particular creative choice, his presentation, his inclusive approach, and his encouraging nature are well worth a watch. In addition, he has done several behind-the-scenes videos that cover the setup of his workshop, his interactions with his fans, and his production techniques. He freely shares tips on the equipment he uses to produce his segments as well as other advice from his years of experience as an all-around craft enthusiast.
Is The CrafsMan a professional? Who knows? His actual identity is a closely-guarded secret. Based on what little information he has shared I believe he lives somewhere in the Mississippi Delta, but beyond that, and a few references to his son and wife, he remains a mystery.
Whoever he is, he's worth a watch!
The CrafsMan/Steady Craftin
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheCrafsMan/featured
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/steadycraftin
Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/steadycraftin