Estonia with its homogeneous agricultural traditions dating back many centuries did not exactly offer the most favourable conditions for the specialisation of rural artisans, or the establishment of separate handicraft centres. Almost everything needed in daily life and even on special occasions, such as weddings or christenings, was produced at home. Yet, some information on specialised craftsmen - such as carpenters and woodwork-artisans - in the Estonian countryside dates back to the sixteenth century.

Avinurme, one of the most outstanding crafting centres at the end of the 19th century, is still going strong with a substantial number of inhabitants employed in woodcraft.

Some two centuries later, a number of handicraft centres had developed in various richly forested areas and agriculturally unsuitable regions. The most important products of these, usually inland crafting centres, were wooden artefacts, duly exchanged for grain or fish or sold at the craft fairs. In the course of time, particular regions became known for the concentration of certain artisan specialities. For example, Avinurme in the great forests of Alutaguse in the North-East was famous all over Estonia for its wooden vessels that were traded far and wide, as was densely wooded Kõpu in Hiiumaa for its tar. The most renowned benders of shaft-bows were those of Laiksaare in Saarde (an area nicknamed 'the shaf-tbow parish'), the best sledges and wagons were made in Valtu near Rapla and Välgi by Lake Peipsi was known for its sieve-makers.

At the end of the 19th century, the peasantry, emerging both economically and intellectually from the tutelage of the manor, and gradually adopting the urban lifestyle, increasingly demanded more elaborate household goods produced by professional artisans. Cabinetmakers working in manor houses found new customers among richer peasants, as did makers of spinning wheels. Although some decades later, factory goods - both furniture and textiles - began driving out the hand-made items, many skills nevertheless survived amongst the people.

Most of Estonian boys are initiated into the basics of carpentry, including turning and simpler joining, already at technology lessons at primary school.