Comments on: Buying handmade is still buying

By: Kerry

Kerry — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 15:21:44 +0000

Cate – thanks very much for the link! Your post was very well-written, and it’s great to see other people considering this issue.

By: Cate

Cate — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 02:29:09 +0000

I’ve linked you to my blog as I also read the article and have been thinking about these things, hope you don’t mind…

By: Joelle

Joelle — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 19:35:21 +0000

Good point Loll – I’m all for people being able to make money from their talents, but there seems to be a lot of emphasis on doing that these days, as if that is the real aim of crafting, beyond being an enjoyable or useful thing to do, which is a shame really.

By: Loll McCraftermarator

Loll McCraftermarator — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 12:21:15 +0000

Hear Hear! There is a danger of loosing sight of craft as something one does and seeing it as something one buys. You only have to read posts on some craft forums: ‘I have been doing -insert craft here- for 35 minutes and have decided to sell my wares. How do I go about it?’, like they are missing out on a pot of money comparable with the dotcom boom! Know any rich crafters? hmmm.
I get into lots of trouble on these forums for saying things like: ‘Go and get good at it first, stop giving decent, talented people who happen to sell what they love making a bad name by touting you tat around’.
But seriously, although there is a danger of commercialism rearing it’s ugly head even here, it is still better (nicer?) to aspire to owning a beautifully made piece of ART (which is what some stuff is!) by a talented person who cares about their work than a faceless corperation (sorry cliche).

By: Joelle

Joelle — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 10:44:53 +0000

Good point Lisa – and that’s something you don’t get with mass production.

By: Lisa R.

Lisa R. — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 14:09:57 +0000

Handmade has a plus for the artist or craftsman that do make something.
The plus being a deep emotional fulfillment and maybe something that is unique.
Making something occupies the mind and hands and usually keeps you out of trouble.
I have been an artist for awhile and selling my work helps me fuel the supplies, the creative juices and my surroundings.
And sometimes it pays the bills. I work as a freelance Graphic Designer and Illustrator.
All of this keeps my mind well and my spirit happy and awake!

By: Joelle

Joelle — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 11:22:40 +0000

Vanessa – its true that whereas once upon a time it was cheaper to make things, now mass production costs and the rising prices of materials, mean you can get a wardrobe or a skirt say far cheaper than you could make it. Stuff has been devalued – few people think about the work that has gone into producing it, being cheap stuff means often it is not designed to last, and we don’t mind, because it is cheap to buy another. So I am in favour of spending more to buy less, if it is made with care and quality. Though I do still love a bargain.

Peter – nice to be reminded of Ruskin. I’m sure reading him at university has influenced what I think now. Maybe we should do a ‘What Would Ruskin Buy?’ post

By: Peter

Peter — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 09:28:38 +0000

Vive la revolucion, comrade! That's really interesting, and a lot of what Ruskin was railing against in the mid-19th Century, which is why I'm not sure I like Unto This Last...

By: Kirsty

Kirsty — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 22:40:03 +0000

I completely agree with your sentiments here; it’s something that’s bugged me on and off as well. I think that we’re conditioned from a young ages into believing that we can buy and buy until we become the people that we want to be/have the lives we want to have.

Buying handmade, whilst still an essentially consumerist act, does mean that someone just like you gets a bit of money to fund their craft habit, though!

By: alice batelli

alice batelli — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 22:15:50 +0000

hello!!!!
i loved that you´ve used my picture! thanks!!!
i´m very happy with that!!!
=)

kisses

alice