Handiwork is generally used to describe work that is done for practical purposes, such as building a house or making a piece of furniture. It is often used to refer to work that is done by skilled laborers or craftsmen. Handicraft, on the other hand, is generally used to describe work that is done for artistic purposes, such as creating a painting, sculpture, or piece of jewelry. It is often used to refer to work that is done by artists or craftspeople.
Of course, there is some overlap between the two terms. For example, some pieces of handiwork can also be considered handicraft, and some pieces of handicraft can also be considered handiwork. Ultimately, the best way to determine whether a particular work of art or craft is handiwork or handicraft is to consider its purpose and the materials and techniques that were used to create it.
Here is a table summarizing the key differences between handiwork and handicraft:
| Feature | Handiwork | Handicraft |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Practical | Artistic |
| Materials | Typically utilitarian | Typically decorative |
| Techniques | Typically traditional | Typically innovative |
| Craftspeople | Typically skilled laborers or craftsmen | Typically artists or craftspeople |