Crafty types free tsarinas (8)

I believe the answer is:

artisans

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'crafty types' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both people as well as being plural nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'free tsarinas' is the wordplay.
'free' is an anagram indicator.
'tsarinas' with letters rearranged gives 'ARTISANS'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for artisans that I've seen before include "Workers skilled in a trade" , "Skilled manual workers or craftsmen" , "Skilled craftspeople" , "Strain as found among craftsmen" .)

I've seen this clue in the Irish Times and the Irish Times (Crosaire).

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