Do You Like Handmade?
A couple of days ago, I was having a conversation with a friend about handmade goods. You see, she sells handmade jewelry, and she was lamenting at the fact why people would bargain with her and not see the value behind her products.
It really hurt her when someone said,
"Why would I pay this much when I can get something for less from (insert high street fast fashion store)?"
Well. I am a sucker for all things handmade, not just with garments but jewelry as well. I was recently introduced to UncommonGoods , a platform that brings together designers and artisans who are passionate about the products they make. I found a range of jewelry that was not only handmade but some of which were even made from recycled materials. You can find more of their gorgeous pieces here and here.
Here's why I like handmade.
#1 Attention to Detail
In contrast to mass manufacturing techniques, jewelry makers spend hours with each piece, making sure the design is perfected and ensuring there are no flaws. Most makers use traditional jewelry skills and fabrication techniques which add to the depth of the pieces.
#2 Unique Pieces
What you can be assured of is that you won't be caught off-guard wearing the same necklace as another guest at a dinner. Hand-crafted jewelry pieces are made by the hands of the artisan, who will carefully take their designs from concept, to prototype and finally to product. Remember, an individual maker can only churn out a fraction of the items that a machine can, and because of the nature of the making process, no two pieces will be the same.
#3 Quality
The artisans spend hours and energy on one piece, and take the necessary steps and time to hone their skills to perfection. But because they are dealing with a smaller number of pieces as compared with the mass manufactured market, they have better control over the quality of the pieces.
#4 The Story Behind It
"Who made it?"
"Where did it come from?"
Every handmade item has a beautiful story behind it - perhaps a tale of what inspired the maker to create it, or insights to the intimate relationship between the maker and the making process.
#5 Sustainable Practices
Most jewelry artisans ensure that their sources are not only reliable but share the same sustainable and ethical practices as them, while others use recycled materials in their designs. What can be certain is that makers have more control over the material they use and where they are sourced from.
At UncommonGoods, you will find sustainable practices incorporated into their business decisions, from their commitment to offering handmade, recycled, and organic products, to donating a US$1 for good for every order received (and you get to select the non-profit who receives it!)
So, do you like handmade and why? Comment below!
This is a sponsored post. All views are my own.
All items shown are available at UncommonGoods
