New-York tribune., 1906-05-06

TE s. q frtte saying Ghat the age or the handi'
crafts Is past Nevertheless, even IN this era q
soachine made articles. there is a market fOl
me handicrartsman, In spite Of factories and
bargain sales there are people to-day who prize
the personal touch in material things
This was one OF the reflections which impelled
Kiss EdIth Sabre to establish Chelsea Handi-
craft House. New YOrks newest Settlement She
coupled this fact with the needs OF a class that
a. usually more or less forgotten. the cripples
ana shut-ins among the poor. There are many
of these who are clever enough by nature with
their brains and fingers and anxious enough TO
work Certain OF the handicrafts would be Just
the thing for them, only in most cases they do
not possess the necessary training, and If they
dsd they would not know how to find the market
1or their wares. TIE object Of Miss Sabine and
her co-gVorkers is TO supply these two things,
training IN the hansdcrafts and a market. to a
sew at least OF the Handicapped and the shut-ins
kChelsea Handicraft House is at No 457 West
28d street, IN the middle Of that quaint old row
az houses with 6enced-in greens IN front of them.
There IS an Rnnax across the way, at No. 42S.
which houses the exchange (where things are on
eale) and where the weaving department is; but
No 457 Is the centre Of the Settlement activities
end the meeting place of the classes. AS regards
the teaching, however, the mountain frequently
goes 20 Mahoret. If Chelsea House hears Of
some one who wants TO learn basketry mat
1ress making or embr oidery, but lacks the legs,
say 20 come to the classes, a teacher is sent
% that person
ONE WHO NEVER LEAVES HER ROOM
I'VE 20 anywhere ard everywhere in the city,"
Miss Sabine told a Tribune reporter. I'VE have
one crippled girl on the lower East Side who has
learned basket-y, though she cannot stir from
her roon. WE dye the reeds here. and the
teacher takes them to her. She has orders for
baskets from florists and candy makers; and
her brother helps her evenings with the heavier
parts OF the work. We have a hunchback boy
Vlp IN Harlem who is learning mattress making.
We are beginning to teach modelling in clay TO
crippIes IN their homes, too. OF course, the fir
ing and glazing will have TO be done here in
our kiln, but that is easily managed You want
to know how we get hold of the pupils in the
first placer Why. through the asylums through
che hospitals and through the Shut-in Society.
which co-operates with US.
''1he handicrafts are impractical for the mass
OF tenement dweIlers,' Miss Sabine went on,
because they cannot get at the right buyers.
That Is why we make a feature Of getting orders,
which we try to distribute impartially among
the workers with whom are in touch. We
settled In this street mainly because, being right
on the way to the ferries. it is handy place for
buyers 20 drop IN"
But Chelsea Handtcraft House stands for
something besides teaching and business 1t is
a real Settlement, or Neighborhood House, as
they prefer TO call It, The interior Of No. 457
As exceedingly homelike. Almost the pleasant
est part of It is the basement. and the best part
OF this Is the kitchen. long. light room with
immaculate bright walls and floor. In front Of
this IS the dining room. with huge fireplace
and big round table. I'VE have our parties
down here" Miss Sabine remarked, as she
showed the kitchen: and it certainly looked an
ideal place for a good time.
IN THE BOOKBINDERY.
IN the rear on the first floor is the bookbind-
cry, Of which Miss Florence Foote is in charge.
Miss Foote has a large class; two or three OF
them intend TO follow the craft for livelihood;
others are well-to-do girls who want to learn
20 bind their own books. In all its departments
Chelsea Handicraft House welcomes pay pupils,
because, Of course it needs money. Most Of
the teachers are experts who cannot. as a rule,
give their services for nothing
The reception rooms and bedrooms on the
lower floors contain some genuine old furniture,
hut Il IS the attic that stirs ones admiration; It
shows the possibilities of attics. which in most
homes are simply GLORY holes" for the family
fotsan. Chelsea Handicraft House was not large
enough for all the people who needed bedrooms,
so they had the attic partitioned off into rooms
several IN the front and several in the rear with
wide hall through the middle in which stands
a large open stove. There are a great many
couches about. ali with great many cushions;
the wallpaper is OF old-fashioned rose pat
tern; there Is place for reading and writing in
one corner with swinging seats and huge
desk under the skylight
The Settlement activities of Chelsea t5or.o
are varied. considering that it has been r,,nnino
only since last fall. Among the cIasses +bot
9neet there IS one in Cressrla king aro,t,a :.