June 2011-Design Village of New Jersey won the highest award as a traditional artisan in this year's Directory of Traditional American Crafts, and their work is showcased in the latest issue of Early American Life magazine. They ranks top in their field, according to a panel of national experts convened by the magazine. The experts-curators from such prestigious institutions as the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, George Washington's Mount Vernon, Hancock Shaker Village, Kent State University, National Council on History Education, National Trust for Historic Preservation, Old Sturbridge Village, Southern Highland Craft Guild, Strawbery Banke Museum, and Winterthur Museum as well as antiques dealers, independent scholars, and professional instructors-selected the top craftspeople working with traditional tools and techniques for the magazine's 26th annual Directory of Traditional American Crafts. Design Village's handcrafted floorcloth showed mastery of the art form, heritage techniques, and workmanship, according to the judges.

The Directory of Traditional American Crafts is a special listing that appears in the August 2011 issue of Early American Life, a national magazine focusing on architecture, decorative arts, period style, and social history from colonial times through the mid-19th Century. The Directory has been used for the past two decades by curators at living history museums, owners of traditional homes, and motion picture producers for finding artisans to make period-appropriate furnishings and accessories for displays, collections, and use.

"The judges look for authentic design and workmanship, whether the piece is a faithful reproduction or the artisan's interpretation of period style," said Tess Rosch, publisher of Early American Life. "Scholarship, as well as use of period tools and techniques, is particularly valued in this competition."

One goal of the Directory is to help preserve traditional handcrafts, part of our culture that is rapidly being lost in the digital age. Many of these skills were passed down from master to apprentice for hundreds of years, but now few new people choose to learn and master them. "If our traditional arts are lost, we have forgotten a part of who we are as Americans," Rosch said.

The August issue of Early American Life, on newsstands June 21st, lists all artisans selected for the Directory as well as contact information for those wanting to own their work. The Directory layout features lush color photos of many of these artworks.

"The Directory is a source for collectors and historic museums eager to own fine, handcrafted, period-accurate objects and also a means of supporting those who perpetuate the art forms that are such an important part of our nation's heritage," Rosch said. To learn more about Early American Life, for subscription information, or to purchase a copy, visit www.EarlyAmericanLife.com.

2010 Selection

Durant House Floorcloth - Historic Collection
This design is a reproduction stencil from the Edward Durant house in Newton, Massachusetts
( House built circa 1734; stenciled circa 1780 )

2009 Selection

Diamond Pattern with Lunenburg Motif - Historic Collection
Authentic floor design from Lunenburg, Massachusetts

2008 Selection

Blue Willow Floorcloth - Historic Collection
Willow stencil from Peterboro, New Hampshire, and the border stencil from the Bump Tavern at the Farmer’s Museum in Cooperstown, NY.

2006 Selection

Selected for Early American Quilt Floorcloth - Eaton Moses Collection
This design is a reproduction stencil from the Edward Durant house in Newton, Massachusetts
( House built circa 1734; stenciled circa 1780 )