A Few Reasons To Buy Handmade

There are people that will spend hundreds of dollars on something just because it's X-brand, yet think twice about spending any money on a "trinket" they can "make themselves at home."  What people don't understand is that sometimes those X-brand items are made by people (that after a while, possibly resemble robots) in a factory (hello machines, chemicals, labor, waste?)  Handmade items aren't.  They're usually made by someone in their home or studio.  Yes some artisans use machines, but all of them take time and care creating each piece.  I hate to sound corny, but there's love in creating.  There's passion.  And there's this special care when you're creating something that just doesn't really exist in anything mass-produced in a factory.  

Some people also don't think about the time that person has taken to create.  The whole "I can make it myself" is usually muttered by people who are clueless about the experience and time it has taken for the artisan to create that "trinket".  I still have yet to meet one that shows up at a craft fair with items they have made in under five minutes.  

Of course there are others who understand that although a handmade item is not as expensive as X-brand, it has a lot more value.  These are the people that know the love going into each piece.  They appreciate a handmade gift much more than a store-bought one.  The things they will value for many years.  

There are many reasons why to buy handmade: from supporting the economy, the community, and the environment (no waste producing factory involved) to getting to actually meet the person who created it (if buying in person).  It's kind of cool.  It's kind of like meeting your favorite fashion designer, or author or more likely the chef at your favorite restaurant. You're not just supporting a small business, but you are also supporting the artisan and his or her passion and creativity.  

Also, because items are handmade there's a chance no two will be exactly alike.  Plus, you may have customization options or you may be able to get something commissioned.  Who doesn't like that?