I have found many lists for why people choose to buy handmade and most of them have the same general ideas. The following are a few quotes from the Buy Handmade Pledge website:
"Buying Handmade makes for better gift-giving.
The giver of a handmade gift has avoided the parking lots and long lines of the big chain stores in favor of something more meaningful. If the giver has purchased the gift, s/he feels the satisfaction of supporting an artist or crafter directly. The recipient of the handmade gift receives something that is one-of-a-kind, and made with care and attention that can
be seen and touched. It is the result of skill and craftsmanship that is absent in the world of large-scale manufacturing.
Buying handmade is better for people. The ascendancy of chain store culture and global manufacturing has left us dressing, furnishing, and decorating alike. We are encouraged to be consumers, not producers, of our own culture. Our ties to the local and human sources of our goods have been lost. Buying handmade helps us reconnect.
Buying handmade is better for the environment. The accumulating environmental effects of mass production are a major cause of global warming and the poisoning of our air, water and soil. Every item you make or purchase from a small-scale independent artist or crafter strikes a small blow to the forces of mass production."
For me it really is a lifestyle. I can't say that I'm perfect. This weekend I had my 4 year old nephew's b-day sneak up on me and I didn't have time to find a handmade gift so he ended up with store bought plastic. But for the holidays my gift gifting was at least 75% handmade. In my daily life I work hard to incorporate handmade as much as possible. I'll be doing a series of posts the next few weeks on how well I have applied living handmade to the different aspects of my life. Some parts of my consumptive live are easier to support handmade than others but it is something I actively think about now.
For me the most important reason to live a handmade lifestyle is to support other's passions. I know that my buyers could easily find a $10 scarf at Wal-mart but instead they have chosen a handmade creation from my heart and energy. By doing so they are supporting my efforts and helping me to support my hobby. I am happy to support other sellers whether they are a hobbyist or professional because I know that they are doing it because they love what they are doing. I want to help them to keep the passion for art and craft alive in this world. There is so much mass produced crap that I love to feel like I'm buying something that was specially designed and brought into creation by someones hands. There is a connection that comes from knowing the name of the seller and possibly more if I have access to their blog. I have a tendency to isolate myself but this handmade lifestyle has opened me to up a whole world of fellow artisans that are keeping the dream alive.
The little copper tag above from Windshine is a great way to tell the world that you support handmade. You can attach it to a gift or use it as a keychain.
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12 comments:
Thanks for the visit! The ring is currently available in my etsy shop and my 1000Markets shop!
thanks for getting the word out about handmade. i think that a shift is coming and more and more people are going to be buying higher quality products with good craftsmanship.
"For me the most important reason to live a handmade lifestyle is to support other's passions."
Amen sister!
That's a nice anthem. I like it. I am going to try to make as many gifts as possible this year.
This is such a lovely post about the reasons we should all buy and make handmade items. Thank you for posting it.
You should think about publishing it in one of the online article directories....it deserves to be heard!!
I also wanted to let you know that I tagged you for a fun meme over at my blog, http://soycandleblog.blogspot.com/, I had so much fun doing it! It's a hoot!! Come over and play??
I'm just starting to discover the vast world of Etsy shops and I'm really stoked at the thought of switching over to buy handmade. Though I'm not super crafty, I am an artist. So I understand the wonderful feeling of support when someone purchases something that you've put heart and soul into the art of creation. It makes the gift more precious. And it battles the looming retail consumer world we have to dredge through day after day.
Now that I'm learning where to go to find these things, you can bet I'll be supporting artists and handmade as much as I can!
I took the pledge also. I can't say I've completely faithful because of time constraints and having the funds available, plus convincing the hubby to go along with the idea. But as someone who tries to sell on Etsy, I agree it's a good thing and hope more people join in on it.
Lovely posting...absolutely agree..since I'm one of the handmade makers, I always try to buy handmade directly from the artist, and feels good too :)
Great post! I am always happier to purchase handmade than mass production, and do so whenever possible. I do a lot of handmaking myself for friends and family as well.
I really enjoyed this post. Thank you for getting the word out.
I signed the Handmade pledge a while back and just that step has changed the way I look at things. I used to think that shopping handmade would be too expensive...now I find that not shopping handmade is the expense. The more I change my shopping habits the greater my joy in giving.
I am so there with you! =) My family gets LOTS of handmade goodies for birthdays and Christmas. I don't plan on registering for a ton of baby stuff because I want to support handmade peeps.
The money goes directly to the maker. To me there is no better "stimulus". =)
Love this post :) and agree with you :)
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