Accessories Craftsperson

Full-Time

Description

Who We Are

Founded in 1926, the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation is a private, not-for-profit educational, historic, and cultural institution that owns and operates one of the largest and best-known museum complexes in the world. Our mission is “that the future may learn from the past” through preserving and restoring 18^th-century Williamsburg, Virginia’s colonial capital. We engage, inform, and inspire people to learn about this historic capital, the events that occurred here, and the diverse peoples who helped shape a new nation.

Today, Colonial Williamsburg is the largest living history museum in the U.S. The Historic Area is the 301-acre restored colonial capital with 88 original buildings and 525 buildings reconstructed to how they appeared in the 18th century through extensive archaeological, architectural, and documentary research. The Historic Area is staffed by highly trained, historically dressed interpreters and expert tradespeople who bring the 18th century to life. The Foundation also owns and operates two world-class museums, the DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum, and the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum, The Bob and Marion Wilson Teacher Institute, and a renowned research library, the John D Rockefeller Jr Library.

Additionally, Colonial Williamsburg is home to five world class accommodations at the Williamsburg Inn, Williamsburg Lodge Autograph Collection, the Griffin Hotel, the Williamsburg Woodlands Hotels and Suites and the unique Colonial Houses in the Historical Area. Visitors may also indulge in food and drink at our many on site restaurants and taverns that blend a historically inspired dining experience with today’s evolved tastes. Each year over 5 million people visit Williamsburg and another 20 million engage with us digitally.

About the Position

The accessories craftsperson is responsible for working collaboratively with the Historical Clothing & Dress Team to create, maintain, and customize the 18^th century accessories for interpreters working in historical dress at The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. The position reports to the Accessories Supervisor. Skills include sewing (hand and machine), leathercraft, knitting (hand and machine), embroidery (hand and machine), beading, braiding, organizing, and some accessories pattern making. This position will work with dye chemicals, hat sizing, and cleaning chemicals.

Essential Functions:

1. Make accessories following provided research and construction methods as established by the Manager of Historical Clothing & Dress and the Committee for Historical Clothing & Dress which advises the Dept. on historically accurate textiles, techniques and colors.
2. Maintain and repair those accessories to achieve an acceptable lifespan for the garment.
3. Responsible to meet production timeline and doing self-quality checks.
4. Serves as a liaison between customers, other HA Operations units, and vendors.
5. Must follow instructions, safety protocols, and procedures when handling dye chemicals, hat sizing, and cleaning chemicals.
6. Consults with Department Supervisor and HC&D Manager about finishing techniques to create an 18^th century-style garment that is accurate, wearable, and presents a clear interpretation of daily clothing worn in 18^th century Williamsburg.
7. Communicate any complications, accessories issues, garment construction problems, or needs quickly and efficiently with the Accessories Supervisor.
8. Freely consult with the unit supervisor, manager, specialized fashion tradespeople, or the Historical Clothing and Dress Committee to find direction for their technique and skill development to ensure accuracy and high quality.
9. Works collaboratively with other Accessories Team members and other units of the departments
10. When necessary, this position may be required to learn and train with new techniques and methods to achieve the most efficient yet authentic appearing accessories

Required and Preferred Education and Experience:

Required:

• 1-3 years of professional experience in craft, accessories, or theater industries
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work/life experience
• Portfolio of clearly visible accessories skills in production and design

Preferred:

• 3-5 years professional experience
• Interest in 18^th century clothing and accessories
• Factory accessories production experience
• Factory sewing experience
• Additional fiber arts-related experience such as lacemaking, spinning, dyeing (natural and chemical), weaving.

Qualifications:

• Clear skill with craft and accessories
• Must know how to sew by hand and machine
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, creative environment.
• Ability to maintain a high degree of flexibility and courtesy while maintaining standards, practices, and procedures.
• Must be organized and adapt when priorities or projects shift.
• Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills
• Clear communication skills
• Must be comfortable working in a collaborative environment