Meet the Women Who Revolutionized the World of Arts and Crafts

This worldly woman drew inspiration from her roots— she grew up in Tanzania, studied in Sierra Leone, and settled in Oxford—to create a popular, strategic building game that would later become a quintessential favorite. 

May Morris was fearless in more ways than one. In addition to making artistic history in the world of embroidery, she also cofounded the Women's Guild of Arts giving a much-needed—and well-deserved—voice to female creators. 

Otherwise known as "Lady Edison", this female creator drew her first original blueprints at the age of nine. Today, we have her to thank for over 110 inventions including the first bobbinless sewing machine.

This jill-of-all-trades— er, crafts—painted, wrote books, sculpted, performed, taught and quilted bringing the civil rights movement to the forefront of her work. Inspired by her culture’s history, the New York artist made her own history. 

Having paved the way for feminist art, and working with other legends like Judy Chicago to launch the first feminist art program, this Canadian taught us that women could make art, not just crafts. 

As the creator of Mod Podge (short for “modern decoupage”), this South Carolina girl reinvented the once-laborious art form leaving behind a legacy of infinite, creative possibilities. 

While she dabbled in other crafty hobbies, the Irish artist is most remembered for her incredibly intricate floral decoupages cut entirely by free hand. (And you won’t believe at what age she started her career!) 

This Baltimore native, known as the reigning queen of etiquette, was also an author and self-made businesswoman, teaching women throughout history both how to follow rules, and when to break them. 

Most people who've played the classic family board game, Monopoly, might not realize it was this woman who first brought it to life.

This quilt maker did more than just stich and sew. Not only was she inducted into the Georgia Women of Achievement Hall of Fame, honored for her contributions to African American folk art, but she even has a day declared in her name in her hometown of Athens.