Handmade: Making Things from the Heart

Since the dawning of the Industrial Age, modern society has learned not only to accept, but to expect the products we buy to come from machines. We're accustomed to objects that are identical. A set of plates bought from a big box retailer in one location looks identical to the same set bought thousands of miles away at another of that retailer's locations and, of course, each plate in a set will look like all the others. That sense of stamped out perfection can feel almost comforting.

But is there something missing? Etsy, Redbubble, and ArtFire have staked their Internet sites on that supposition, providing artisans a way to sell their handiworks online, with impressive results. These "virtual marketplaces" are accessible from around the globe, delivering more customers to Web shops than most small-time merchants would see in typical bricks-and-mortar businesses. 

What's so special about handmade? Major manufacturers and retailers boast the advantage of quick production, the uniformity of machine-precision, and the presence only corporate-funded advertising and multiple stores can provide. 

Handmade "Primitive Celtic" Pendant

Yet handcrafted products feature things major chain stores can't touch. 

Each item is unique. 
Without a machine, it's seriously challenging to create two items that are exactly alike. Handmade craftsmanship takes advantage of this ability to differentiate, seeing uniqueness as an opportunity rather than a detriment. 

Time is spent in crafting each piece.
Even when the artisan is accustomed to a process, it still takes more time to create something by hand. In a world that's anxious to deliver, this can be a drawback, but for those who enjoy something unique, the joy of the carefully crafted piece is part of why buyers purchase directly from the artist. 

The artist focuses on one item at a time. 
Depending on the product, individual attention is spent on each item. This is an aesthetic value rather than a physical one, but for those who understand this aspect, it's important. In a world that often seems soul-less, the care of craftsmanship applied to handmade goods imbues a sense of quality that's highly valued. 

There is a connection between the artisan and the buyer.
When the buyer can directly access the artist, communication easily ensues, improving the experience. Buyers can ask for customization, request more detail, or simply share their interest in a particular product. And, when it comes to making a purchase, they often can expect to turn heads with clever creations that lead others to ask, "Where did you get that?!"