Handmade is so much more!

When you buy handmade it is so much more than just getting a product. Handmade items offer that unique character that can only come by being individually hand crafted. Whether creating or purchasing, these kinds of items offer imagination, inspiration and a sense of true contribution. As a mother, I love being able to offer my children the gift of hand made items both that I have made or that I have purchased from another artisan. The instant pride and care it encourages, knowing that the gift was made especially for them, is priceless in itself! As a hand-crafter, the opportunity to share my love of creating one of a kind gifts with another offers an inspiration that never gets old!
Passing on a love and a legacy of Handmade.

Kristy (ZooMama), Creative Seamstress, www.zooniquebaby.com/
Tennessee
Friday, February 26, 2010 2:39 pm

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Traditions

I grew up in a traditional, old fashioned home. We grew our own produce in the summer(which was preserved for winter months), chopped firewood for our furnance, visited yard sales and flea markets for treasures, bought locally grown foods, and handmade items, as well as spent a lot of time together as a family.

During the winter, I remember sitting by the fireplace with my mother working on crafts. We would make wreaths, quilts, ornaments, stuffed animals, clothes for my dolls, etc. Spending time with my mother and learning a skill was quite interesting and enjoyable, even at such a young age. I preferred sewing, painting, dyeing, and crafting over the typical kid behavior of watching tv or going to the mall. It gave me a chance to chat and bond with my mom, while we labored over a project which we could later reflect our hard earned pride on.

When I got married and moved away from my hometown, I carried on my mother's beliefs by crafting items for my new home. Shortly after having my first child though, I noticed how unfulfilled I felt when purchasing or receiving store bought toys and clothes. Soon I began to seek out handmade items for my son to play with. Even though I didn't have the time to make everything myself like I did before, I still had the option of providing him with quality toys by purchasing them from wonderful work at home mothers, just like my own mom. As our family grew from three to four over the years, and one more coming soon, I continued to buy handmade items for my children to adore. I love to see their faces when we get a new toy in the mail. They are so fascinated by the unique and imaginative details, something that is lacking in store bought items.

I even began to carry on the tradition of crafting with my oldest. We frequently spend time together drawing pictures, playing with homemade play dough, and making holiday crafts.

All in all I feel so much more complete as a person knowing that I am doing something right and carrying on a family tradition. I hope that my children do the same when they have children of their own.

Jennifer, WAHM, www.naturalmadison.com
Midwest, U.S.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008 3:18 pm

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Brooke's handmade inspiration

I love buying handmade because I know I have a one-of-a-kind find that no else in the world has! For the same reason, I paint and sell my cards. There's no better gift than giving handmade!

Brooke, 26, Education, www.etsy.com/shop/artbybrooke
Utah/SoCal
Monday, December 14, 2009 7:53 pm

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Cute Stuff for Fluffy Butts

I am inspired to become a more earth-friendly mother. It is my choice to cloth diaper and find new ways to use sustainable and reusable items. I love making unique clothing for cloth baby bums. Dyeing wool yarn is a real passion. I keep things simple and affordable.

Aimee Jennings, 33, Ballet Teacher and Mom, www.hyenacart.com/theappleorchard
East Coast
Tuesday, February 9, 2010 11:16 am

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Handmade Makes You Happy

The reason I buy handmade is because I love the attention to detail and love that goes into a handmade item. I am not presuming that the artist loves me, but I know that they love their craft. I can tell when something is made well, and is unique, that the artist gets joy from making something fun and pretty that will make other people smile.
My most recent purchase is a funky painting of a vintage radio. I love it and hung it up in my office.

Betty, 44, designer, artist, SnappyShop.etsy.com
Los Angeles
Tuesday, July 8, 2008 5:57 pm

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