arty-and-crafty, a. colloq.
(ˈɑːtɪəndˈkrɑːftɪ, -æ-)
Also (commonly) ˈarty-ˈcrafty.
[f. arts and crafts + -y1.]
Characteristic of the work done by or under the auspices of the ‘arts and crafts’ movement (see art n. 17); jocularly applied to furniture, etc., of specially artistic style but not conspicuously useful or comfortable; also used of their makers; thus, pretentiously or quaintly artistic. Also absol. Hence ˈarty-ˈcrafty n., an ‘arty-crafty’ person; arty-(and-)craftiness, ‘arty-crafty’ quality or characteristics. (Cf. art-and-crafty, etc., s.v. art n. 17.)
| 1902 Daily Chron. 28 July 3/4 Canon Barnett..spoke of a coming Exhibition of Arts and Crafts, which, if not too ‘Arty-and-Crafty’, should be excellent. 1920 A. Huxley Limbo 30, I liked..the way you went for the Arty-Crafties. 1925 ― Along Road iii. 200 What I may call ‘arty-craftiness’ or ‘peasantry’ is a Tolstoyan derivation from the quaint. 1925 Sat. Rev. 7 Nov. 524/1 The ‘arty and crafty’ furniture that is uncomfortable in use,..the model house in which no man can be at ease. 1927 Observer 18 Sept. 15/4 Country lore gathered chiefly from the works of arty-and-crafty peasants from Belsize Park. 1930 E. Wallace Lady of Ascot xiii. 136 What on earth can you find in Wolverhampton that can appeal to your arty-crafty mind? 1932 S. Gibbons Cold Comfort Farm v. 71 She will only go and keep a tea-room in Brighton and go all arty-and-crafty about the feet and waist. 1932 Daily Express 30 June 5/5 Provided the ‘bun’ is not placed low on the nape of the neck, suggesting a mixture of ‘arty-crafty’ and demure. 1937 ‘G. Orwell’ Road to Wigan Pier xii. 232 Deliberately to revert to primitive methods..would be a piece of dilettantism, of pretty-pretty arty and craftiness. 1945 L. A. G. Strong Tongue in Your Head 47 The ‘poetry voice’ removes it from the sphere of art..to the arty-crafty sphere. 1962 John O'London's 29 Nov. 508/3 The general public, as distinct from the arty-crafties. |