So what is a master craftsman?

Notes from my journal

Time was that a man who worked diligently to master his skills in a chosen craft applied to be accepted by the Guild as an approved workman skilled in his field. Those examining him were fellow craftsman in the Guild. The applicant would be time-served, both as an apprentice and a journeyman, and his evaluated work his Masterpiece.

What does that mean today?

Organisations calling themselves guilds rarely set standards that define a workman's standard. I recall when a modern-day version of the Guilds was established under the title and guild shield as the Guild of Master Craftsmen not too long ago. To join as I recall meant that you had to have two fellow craftsmen in your field recommend you to the Guild. Nothing more. The Guild issued you with a logo of the guild and registered you as a member.

Establishing guild standards again

What would it mean if a creative piece was declared the goal and anyone could make the piece in a given time under the watchful eye of two other craftsmen? No paper examine, clicking boxes. Just real woodworking. There could be multiple levels of membership resulting in Master class levels. Just a thought.