7 reasons to buy handmade
When I heard that March's picspammy challenge was "# Reasons To..." I immediately knew that I wanted to do a feature on some of my favorite handmade sellers. Without further ado:
Banner image by Sofia Katariina
Before we begin, please note that all of the items included in this picspam adhere to my personal tastes and aesthetic, and can thus only be considered a small sampling of all of the wonderful handmade goods that are available out there. Now back to our regularly scheduled programming.
1. It's good for the environment.
Wool bag made from a vintage skirt by Refresh Accessories, wooden bracelets made from recycled skateboards by 2ReVert, organic cotton t-shirt by Maryink, scalloped notebooks made from recycled paper by Nantaka Joy
Vintage frame chalkboard by Blue Bell Bazaar, log bowls by Loyal Loot, teacup light fixtures by Domestic Construction, lavender hearts made from vintage fabrics by Pouch
It's one thing to buy a t-shirt from Urban Outfitters that has a "Be Green" slogan on it (chances are the company's just trying to profit from the current green trend, anyhow), and it's another to buy from vendors who actually practice environmentally-friendly methods. Many handmade artists will use materials such as recycled paper, and organic and sustainable fabrics. Some will even upcycle, meaning that they'll take preexisting items that would otherwise be abandoned or chucked into a trash bin and create awesome new goods. These sellers are driven by creativity, not the bottom line, and they often want to do right by Mother Earth, and I can't commend these efforts enough.
2. You'll stand out from the crowd.
Porcelain pendant necklace from Lusterbunny, vegan plaid ballet flats by Hydra Heart, Drunk as a Skunk merit badge by Lee Meszaros, yellow linen dress by Sarahseven
Knit beret by Salal Knits, glass rings by The Carrotbox, hosta leaf leather belt by Bonspiel, agate necklace by Stone & Honey
While most people are trying to get the most mileage out of their of-the-moment scarves and bags, you'll be too busy rocking out your handmade, one-of-a-kind items to pay any attention to those trends. What's also great is that lots of sellers on Etsy, a perennial favorite of mine, welcome personalization and custom orders, so you can get your item just the way you want it without having to make any compromises.
3. You will get lots of compliments.
Silver deer necklace from Figs & Ginger, ruffled purse made with vintage fabrics and belt by Madebyhank, alphabet shirt by Makool, recycled t-shirt corsage by Marang97
I say this from experience. I own all four items in the previous picture, and I've received lots of nice comments whenever I wore any of them. Lesson learned here: Handmade makes you look good.
4. They make for great gifts.
Wool baby slippers made from recycled sweaters by Wooly Baby, votive soy candles set in porcelain egg shells by Revisions Design Studio, Jill Bliss native flowers coaster set by My Favorite Mirror, flower measuring spoons by Beehive Kitchenware
Shopping for friends and family can be hard, no doubt about that. But instead of resorting to that old standby, gift certificates, why not pick up something really special for your loved ones? They'll appreciate both the gift, as well as the extra thought you put into selecting it.
5. You can score affordable art to liven up your walls/home.
Jointed paper doll by Wool & Water, "Two Lambs" photo box by E.Soule, "Rebecca" print by Nosideup, Every Cloud Has a Silver Lining poster by Keep Calm Gallery
Cuckoo clock by Decoylab, "A Look Only You Would Understand" print by Ashley G, wooden wall plaques by Cabin + Cub, "Love Is No. 1" vinyl wall decal by Tasty Suite
You want something to grace your bare walls, but you also don't want to pay an arm and a leg to get it. You don't have to, either, not when there's so much great art available, a lot of which you can get for $20 or less. Now you haven't an excuse to not say "no" to wall nakedness!
6. You will find awesomely unexpected stuff.
Mustache pint glass by Bread and Badger, book mobile by The Shop House, slingshot pencil from The Curiosity Shoppe, Star Trek corset by Evening Arwen
I'm constantly in awe of the creativity and ingenuity put forth by handmade artists and crafters. I'll look at their goods and think, How on earth did they even come up with that? You're not going to find that kind of out-of-the-box stuff at Ikea or the Gap.
7. You'll be supporting artists who do what it is they love.
The Four Seasons cup set by Bailey Doesn't Bark, honey and milk soap by Adoration, Polaroid fiber board ring by NB's Closet, leather wrist wallet by Hollyhawk
Some craft and design as a hobby, while others do it as a way of living. Either way, your patronage helps them continue to do what it is they are passionate about, and it lets them know that you appreciate what they have to offer. They return the favor by handing you creations that have been made with hard work and care, and they often go even beyond that. Most everything I've received in the mail has been enclosed with handwritten notes, and some have included special packaging, and even small gifts as a way of saying thanks. What more could you ask of a satisfying buying experience?
To sum things up: the next time you're in the market for a gift, something for your home, or just a small item as a treat for yourself, why not try seeking out handmade goods before heading out to the mall? There is so much talent out there that it shouldn't be hard to find something that fits the bill of what it is you're looking for.
Here are some links to help you on your way:
Etsy: Quite possibly the most prominent handmade marketplace out there on the web right now. There's a seller for just about anything you might possibly want. Besides illegal substances and human organs, of course. They do both product and seller spotlights in which they highlight some of the best offerings on the site.
Supermarket: An intermediary of sorts that helps you buy directly from its sellers. Many of the goods featured here have a very modern, sleek aesthetic.
Poppytalk Handmade: Like Supermarket, but with more organic/nature leanings. They're currently featuring products that fit an eco/spring theme.
The Curiosity Shoppe: Lots of fun and unique goods for your home.
Uncommon Goods: Just as the name suggests, they sell unique and whimsical things that you might have a hard time finding elsewhere.
Tiny Showcase: A good place to find cute and affordable artwork.
Shop SCAD: Pieces created by students at Savannah College of Art and Design.
Modish: One of the first handmade/design blogs I began reading on a regular basis, and still one of my all-time favorites.
Heart Handmade: A wonderful blog with lots of regular features that include DIY projects, interviews with designers, and my favorite, Shop + Tell, where other bloggers/designers talk about their favorite purchases.
Now, go forth, shop, and be merry!
Banner image by Sofia Katariina
Before we begin, please note that all of the items included in this picspam adhere to my personal tastes and aesthetic, and can thus only be considered a small sampling of all of the wonderful handmade goods that are available out there. Now back to our regularly scheduled programming.
1. It's good for the environment.
Wool bag made from a vintage skirt by Refresh Accessories, wooden bracelets made from recycled skateboards by 2ReVert, organic cotton t-shirt by Maryink, scalloped notebooks made from recycled paper by Nantaka Joy
Vintage frame chalkboard by Blue Bell Bazaar, log bowls by Loyal Loot, teacup light fixtures by Domestic Construction, lavender hearts made from vintage fabrics by Pouch
It's one thing to buy a t-shirt from Urban Outfitters that has a "Be Green" slogan on it (chances are the company's just trying to profit from the current green trend, anyhow), and it's another to buy from vendors who actually practice environmentally-friendly methods. Many handmade artists will use materials such as recycled paper, and organic and sustainable fabrics. Some will even upcycle, meaning that they'll take preexisting items that would otherwise be abandoned or chucked into a trash bin and create awesome new goods. These sellers are driven by creativity, not the bottom line, and they often want to do right by Mother Earth, and I can't commend these efforts enough.
2. You'll stand out from the crowd.
Porcelain pendant necklace from Lusterbunny, vegan plaid ballet flats by Hydra Heart, Drunk as a Skunk merit badge by Lee Meszaros, yellow linen dress by Sarahseven
Knit beret by Salal Knits, glass rings by The Carrotbox, hosta leaf leather belt by Bonspiel, agate necklace by Stone & Honey
While most people are trying to get the most mileage out of their of-the-moment scarves and bags, you'll be too busy rocking out your handmade, one-of-a-kind items to pay any attention to those trends. What's also great is that lots of sellers on Etsy, a perennial favorite of mine, welcome personalization and custom orders, so you can get your item just the way you want it without having to make any compromises.
3. You will get lots of compliments.
Silver deer necklace from Figs & Ginger, ruffled purse made with vintage fabrics and belt by Madebyhank, alphabet shirt by Makool, recycled t-shirt corsage by Marang97
I say this from experience. I own all four items in the previous picture, and I've received lots of nice comments whenever I wore any of them. Lesson learned here: Handmade makes you look good.
4. They make for great gifts.
Wool baby slippers made from recycled sweaters by Wooly Baby, votive soy candles set in porcelain egg shells by Revisions Design Studio, Jill Bliss native flowers coaster set by My Favorite Mirror, flower measuring spoons by Beehive Kitchenware
Shopping for friends and family can be hard, no doubt about that. But instead of resorting to that old standby, gift certificates, why not pick up something really special for your loved ones? They'll appreciate both the gift, as well as the extra thought you put into selecting it.
5. You can score affordable art to liven up your walls/home.
Jointed paper doll by Wool & Water, "Two Lambs" photo box by E.Soule, "Rebecca" print by Nosideup, Every Cloud Has a Silver Lining poster by Keep Calm Gallery
Cuckoo clock by Decoylab, "A Look Only You Would Understand" print by Ashley G, wooden wall plaques by Cabin + Cub, "Love Is No. 1" vinyl wall decal by Tasty Suite
You want something to grace your bare walls, but you also don't want to pay an arm and a leg to get it. You don't have to, either, not when there's so much great art available, a lot of which you can get for $20 or less. Now you haven't an excuse to not say "no" to wall nakedness!
6. You will find awesomely unexpected stuff.
Mustache pint glass by Bread and Badger, book mobile by The Shop House, slingshot pencil from The Curiosity Shoppe, Star Trek corset by Evening Arwen
I'm constantly in awe of the creativity and ingenuity put forth by handmade artists and crafters. I'll look at their goods and think, How on earth did they even come up with that? You're not going to find that kind of out-of-the-box stuff at Ikea or the Gap.
7. You'll be supporting artists who do what it is they love.
The Four Seasons cup set by Bailey Doesn't Bark, honey and milk soap by Adoration, Polaroid fiber board ring by NB's Closet, leather wrist wallet by Hollyhawk
Some craft and design as a hobby, while others do it as a way of living. Either way, your patronage helps them continue to do what it is they are passionate about, and it lets them know that you appreciate what they have to offer. They return the favor by handing you creations that have been made with hard work and care, and they often go even beyond that. Most everything I've received in the mail has been enclosed with handwritten notes, and some have included special packaging, and even small gifts as a way of saying thanks. What more could you ask of a satisfying buying experience?
To sum things up: the next time you're in the market for a gift, something for your home, or just a small item as a treat for yourself, why not try seeking out handmade goods before heading out to the mall? There is so much talent out there that it shouldn't be hard to find something that fits the bill of what it is you're looking for.
Here are some links to help you on your way:
Etsy: Quite possibly the most prominent handmade marketplace out there on the web right now. There's a seller for just about anything you might possibly want. Besides illegal substances and human organs, of course. They do both product and seller spotlights in which they highlight some of the best offerings on the site.
Supermarket: An intermediary of sorts that helps you buy directly from its sellers. Many of the goods featured here have a very modern, sleek aesthetic.
Poppytalk Handmade: Like Supermarket, but with more organic/nature leanings. They're currently featuring products that fit an eco/spring theme.
The Curiosity Shoppe: Lots of fun and unique goods for your home.
Uncommon Goods: Just as the name suggests, they sell unique and whimsical things that you might have a hard time finding elsewhere.
Tiny Showcase: A good place to find cute and affordable artwork.
Shop SCAD: Pieces created by students at Savannah College of Art and Design.
Modish: One of the first handmade/design blogs I began reading on a regular basis, and still one of my all-time favorites.
Heart Handmade: A wonderful blog with lots of regular features that include DIY projects, interviews with designers, and my favorite, Shop + Tell, where other bloggers/designers talk about their favorite purchases.
Now, go forth, shop, and be merry!