Craft artists make a wide variety of objects, mostly by hand, to sell in their own studios, online, in stores, or at arts-and-crafts shows. Most specialize in one or more types of art. Some display their work in galleries and museums.

Craft artists typically do the following:

• Use techniques such as knitting, weaving, glass blowing, painting, drawing, or sculpting
• Develop creative ideas or new methods for making art
• Create sketches, templates, or models to guide their work
• Select which materials to use on the basis of colour, texture, strength, and other qualities
• Process materials, often by shaping, joining, or cutting
• Use visual elements, such as composition, colour, space, and perspective, to produce desired artistic effects
• Develop portfolios highlighting their artistic styles and abilities to show to gallery owners and others interested in their work

Craft artists work with many different materials, including ceramics, glass, textiles, wood, metal, and paper, to create unique pieces of art, such as pottery, quilts, stained glass, furniture, jewelry, and clothing. Many also use fine-art techniques—for example, painting, sketching, and printing—to add finishing touches to their products. Some craft artists display their work in museums, commercial or non-profit art galleries, corporate collections, and private homes. Some of their artwork may be commissioned (requested by a client), but most is sold by the artists themselves. Some craft artists spend a great deal of time and effort selling their artwork to potential customers or clients and building a reputation. However, only the most successful artists are able to support themselves solely through the sale of their works.