The beauty in buying handmade.
“There is nothing wrong with the desire to elevate and promote the craftsperson, but it does tell us that there is a broad yearning amongst the buying public for individual items, made with creativity and care. There is undoubtedly a desire to know about the maker, the materials, the process and to have things in our home that give us a greater connection to the source. Visible imperfection and the lack of pretension is also part of the narrative, as the handmade doesn’t mimic the machine and is therefore deemed more genuine.” - Karen McCartney.
The handmade movement has allowed artisans from all over the world to make their creations easily accessible to consumers by way of social media and ecommerce platforms. You can shop an infinite selection of handmade gifts from online and within the comfort of your home making handmade a viable option for any occasion. Beyond convenience, what you gain from a handmade purchase is much more than just another gift.
So here’s my rundown on the benefits of buying handmade products and what they mean for us and our society.
1. The Feel-Good Factor
The intimate and personal shopping experience attained from a handmade purchase is a feeling that a big chain store is unable to match. Your ability to help an artist achieve their dreams will leave you with a real sense of value and self-worth. Knowing that your purchase has a profound effect on their life – as this is their livelihood and how they support their family, can bring true joy and meaning to the shopping experience.
2. Original and Unique
One of the biggest reasons people report for choosing to purchase handmade goods is that they just like having something that didn’t come from a big department store. The nature of handmade means there are fewer of them and this means your home can be as unique as you are.
Each handmade purchase is an original and unique idea crafted by a skilled maker. These items are not easily replicated. Even with products of the same style, levels of natural variation will occur in colour, texture and shape. The personal touches added during the design process allow the artist to impart each piece with its own individual personality. This accentuates the charm of handmade and allows each one-of-a-kind creation to be a true work of art.
3. High Quality
When people make products by hand, they really care about the end product. They infuse their skill and artistry into their work and are continuously striving towards perfection resulting in products that often have exceptional quality for your money. Mass produced items have a tendency to be made as inexpensively as possible in order to maximize profits, whilst artisans typically use the highest quality materials and ingredients, often hand-picked and locally sourced. There is no comparison to an item just rolling-off the assembly line with a piece touched and shaped by human hands.
4. Promotes Creativity
The desire to create is an innate spirit that lives on the inside of each of us. It gives us a way to express our individuality and imagination. This creative spark guides an artist’s passion, enthusiasm and commitment to their skill; fulfilling an essential need in contemporary society.
5. Eco-Friendly
Handmade means that an item is predominately made by human hands – not machinery. This conserves energy by reducing the need for large production facilities and eliminating any build of chemicals and waste. In an effort to pioneer a more sustainable future, handmade products are often made using green processes and many makers implement best practices for packaging. In addition, you are likely to find recycled, reclaimed and repurposed materials used in the making of many of those items. If the product is also made locally, and not shipped from overseas, the energy to create it and get to the end consumer is further reduced. Handmade is a better choice for shoppers looking to buy goods made in a more earth-conscious manner.
6. Tailor made
With handmade you have the opportunity to give a truly customized gift. Makers love working with their customers, often accommodating custom requests. Anything from a personalized name to colours and designs, an item can be tailor-made to meet your needs and specifications. Instead of spending hours searching for the perfect gift, save yourself time and give a custom-designed expression from the heart.
7. Increased value
A number of experiments have shown that people value and object more highly when they are led to believe it contains and “air of authenticity”, for example, If they were told it was a work of art. This means that artisan products, from jewellery to jam, are perceived to have more value in society and are usually treasured and passed down through generations.
8. Keeps Traditions Alive
You can visibly see the hard work and dedication that went into making each handmade treasure. These are techniques that are rooted in the foundation of our history, back to a time when craftmanship and quality prevailed. Too often today these conventional techniques are replaced by shortcuts and conveniences allowed by our modern world. This is a way in which we can stay true to tradition and keep these time-honoured skills alive for future generations.
9. Supports Local Artisans and Community
By supporting local artisans, you are actually investing money back into the community where you live, which is vital in today’s economy. You are supporting a person who may only have a small craft studio or just a room set aside in their home to pursue a trade that they love. The artist is often the only person responsible for crafting, packaging, marketing, selling and customer service. They have a lot invested in each piece, and your support is more that just a profit to them. Your purchase is a compliment to their work and encouragement to continue on the path to follow their dream.
10. Connects you to the Maker
Shopping handmade means that you can make a lasting connection with a real person. Your purchase represents a relationship with the maker and an appreciation for their work. You get to know the individual story behind each piece, including why and how it was created. You can actually talk person-to-person with the maker and share your specific reasons for choosing to buy their work. This enables that social connection to form and takes buying handmade to a more personal level.
When you give feedback to big brands, its very difficult getting your voice and ideas to people that can make changes. When you buy handmade products, instant feedback to the person who actually made or designed the product is an email or call away. Most artisans love hearing both good and critical feedback. This feedback is then pushed directly back into the development of their work.
11. Handmade with Love
Handmade is where thought, love and creativity come to life. A true artist has a passion that shines through into what they make. The individual attention given during the creation process is what makes each piece special. In the same way, a thoughtful handmade gift symbolises your feelings of appreciation and gratitude to the recipient. The essence of love instilled by the artisan is essentially transferred through the act of giving.
Buying handmade gifts for the people you care about is a memorable and meaningful choice. Created in an environment of love, handmade products are sold with honesty and integrity and are meant to last a lifetime. Your friends and family will appreciate the value of owning an authentic handcrafted piece of art instead of a factory-made product.
In our world, shaped by rapidly changing economic events, it is crucial that we develop a deeper understanding and appreciation of how goods are made and where the materials came from. Let’s reignite our desire and love for local artisan gifts and craft processes.
Need help finding the perfect handmade gift? See my online Shop for ideas.
The Future is Handmade by The Craftsmanship Initiative.
