Upon his return from military service in Europe in 1919, Henry Varnum Poor settled in an artists’ community in New City, New York where he purchased land and began single-handedly building a home called Crow House, named after the local birds who kept him company while he worked. As a struggling painter Poor was always...

See how tapestry weaving works in this short video. Nadia Yaron demonstrates three types of tapestry joins in her Brooklyn storefront studio, Nightwood. What differentiates tapestry weaving from plain weaving is that in a tapestry, the weaver changes weft threads at will as she weaves them across the piece. By doing this, she can create...

See how stone lithography works in this short video. Deborah Chaney, a professor at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York, demonstrates this technique in the Pratt print shop. This print took about 4 hours total. About this series: Design Dictionary is a new Cooper Hewitt video series that vividly illustrates a wide variety of creative...

See how paper is made by hand in this short video. Paper maker and educator Amy Jacobs demonstrates the basics of this technique at Dieu Donné papermill in Manhattan. This paper making project took about 3 hours of active work, plus about 48 hours of air-drying. About this series: Design Dictionary is a new Cooper...

See how offset lithography works in this short video. Kim Michalak shows how to print in four different colors on the offset proof press at Derriere L’etole studio in Manhattan, New York. This print took about 3 hours total. About this series: Design Dictionary is a new Cooper Hewitt video series that vividly illustrates a...

See how laser cutting works in this short video. Elizabeth Vilchis and Joe Borello demonstrate how to create a simple shape on the laser cutter. They are working at the Zahn Center in Manhattan, New York. This piece took about 1 hour to configure and cut. About this series: Design Dictionary is a new Cooper...

See how glassblowing works in this short video. Partner glassblowers Romina Gonzales and Edison Zapata demonstrate how to blow a simple drinking cup. They are working in the new studios at UrbanGlass, in Brooklyn. This project took about 1 hour total. About this series: Design Dictionary is a new Cooper Hewitt video series that vividly...

See how needle felting works in this short video. David Morgan from Etsy demonstrates how to make simple felt beads. This string of beads took about 45 minutes to make. About this series: Design Dictionary is a new Cooper Hewitt video series that vividly illustrates a wide variety of creative techniques. Covering everything from glassblowing...

See how embroidery is made by hand in this short video. Nguyen Le of knitknit demonstrates the basics, including satin stitch, chain stitch and french knot technique. She also adds a backing fabric to the project as an extra optional step. This piece took about 3 hours total. About this series: Design Dictionary is a...