Why Handmade?
In these times, pretty much everything is manufactured and mass produced. Now, there is not anything necessarily wrong with that but in these circumstances, the charm of handmade is more appealing and captivating than ever. Perhaps it is in the earnestness for unique things to own, the awareness of fair and ethical trade, or the call to live slow. Whatever it may be, people are starting to embrace things that are made by hand and below, I am sharing seven (7) reasons why handmade matters:
It encourages the creative spirit.
For many makers, the urge to create something may be born out of a need or to simply put a creative spin on things that already exist. Creative work places people in a state of flow and this state is exhilarating to say the least. Once you have put your creativity to work, you are going to want to keep practicing it. This nurtures creativity even more and helps it grow. The maker may express this creativity in many ways - through color, material, texture, style, or technique. Whatever it may be, the bottom line is that every creation is a creative expression of the maker.
It respects, honors, and values skills.
Mass production denies the cultivation, growth, and preservation of traditional arts and crafts in favor of fast results. With handmade, traditional skills are kept alive with the possibility of being passed on from generation to generation. Some of these traditional skills such as intricate weaving are not written down and published in books but rather passed on through practical teaching so keeping these arts and crafts alive is essential.
Handmade is unique and one of a kind.
Because handmade items can be labor-intensive, they are produced in small quantities. Therefore, owning a handmade creation is limited to only a few people and this benefits them by owning something that is unique and one-of-a-kind. Furthermore, because of the charm of imperfections, no two handmade items are alike. Another point to consider is that many makers agree to customization so handmade items can even fit your needs better.
Handmade is ethical and sustainable.
Handmade items are usually made by people who find joy in creating products with respect and integrity. They make these items in small batches, are mindful of how customers consume their products, are mindful of wasteful and unfair production practices, and make certain that each purchase is meaningful and will last a long time. By observing fair, ethical, and sustainable practices, their creations are purchases we can certainly feel good about.
It supports “real people.”
Handmade champions the stay-at-home mother who knits scarves and finger puppets while her baby takes a nap. It celebrates the full-time teacher who augments her income by selling whimsical illustrations off her Instagram account. It supports the burgeoning wood workshop in the garage that keeps itself busy with weekend construction projects using reclaimed wood. These are people with sincere intentions and create products with integrity. And take it from me, when you do buy from them, they really do do a happy dance.
Better customer experience and service.
One distinct advantage of supporting handmade makers is the kind of service they provide. Yes, they can customize for you but, more importantly, they listen. They are open to suggestions as they always strive to make their products better. They are happy to assist to make certain that their creations will reach your hands. And have you noticed how they obsess over packaging? They truly will go out of their way to make you feel that your purchase really feels like a gift that you give yourself.
There is a story.
Because handmade products are made in small batches, these become special heirloom pieces that can be passed onto future generations. And as the item gets passed on, so does the beautiful story behind its making. The story of techniques, materials, inspirations, and ideas. The story of the maker and what encouraged him/her to pursue making - whether it is for the sheer enjoyment of creating or it is born out of a need. Whatever the story may be, the product connects the maker to the buyer which adds a whole new dimension to handmade items and one that will never be attained by mass produced things.
Unlike bread or feta cheese pasta, handmade isn’t a trend and it goes beyond the now. Because handmade is a way of life - and the best kind of life for its makers - handmade truly is here to stay.
