A selection of my Lip Tints products. Unflavored but with a hint of color. Obviously, very moisturizing.
Lately, I’ve seen several bloggers, and others, query about this very topic. Why buy handmade? And so, I thought I’d give some of my thoughts on the subject.
Handmade is a difficult term. And it means everything from those dear old ladies at the local church auxiliary putting hours and love into their quilts and afghans to kids happily applying glitter and sequins to a holiday turkey cutout in school. It covers folks who simply buy a kit and follow the directions to people like myself. Someone who designs recipes, labels, scent blends, and everything else associated with my product line.
In short, it runs from the most juvenile to the highest caliber. And that’s the problem. Because, depending on what you’ve experienced, your opinion of handmade is very different. So, I’d like to propose a change. Let’s let handmade be handmade. But for artisan products, let’s start calling it handcrafted.
Like scent without flame? Try my Nuggets™ wax melts! Wonderful and easy.
To me, crafting is more than simply making something. Like I said, give me enough paper and a gluestick and a pile of sequins and I can make ya a pretty sparkly paper tiara. It may be handmade (and yes, it definitely would be as my feet are not that talented) and I do have a fairly decent design ability, but it would not even be close to the quality and style I put into my products. Handcrafting, to me, implies more. It does imply the dedication to learn (a personal type of apprenticeship). It brings the art of making into the realm of crafting and artisan goods.
So, handcrafting is how I refer to my products. I’ll use the ‘tag’ handmade, as I still haven’t convinced everyone that handcrafting is MORE. But I hope to make you know.
When you buy a handcrafted item, you do more than simply buy a product. Most handcrafted products are produced by a single person or a small group. Sometimes, it is a SAHM or someone who is trying to create a more prosperous life for their families. In some cases, it is their only income. Yes, it could cost a tad more. But not always. My lip balm, for example (at $3.25 a tube) is very comparable (in price) to those famous maker brands sold at the megamart. What’s different is the quality of my ingredients. See that show about how some companies put ingredients INTO lipbalm to make lips actually drier (and in need of even more of the product…using it faster?) well, I don’t do that. Never. Ever. My ethics and morals won’t permit it.
My Nuggets™ shown above in a small photo, are actually CHEAPER than the famous maker brand sold by a small army of women (and probably some gents) around the country. In fact, their reps BUY mine for their home scenting! Why? Well, mine are actually better (I probably use a higher grade of fragrance oil for even more scenting) but…I’m just WAY cheaper. In this world, getting value is very important.
That’s just two products. Artisans who handcraft care about you. They care about the environment (I recycle my packaging as do many folks who sell artisan goods). They know they are putting their name on their products and they are sure (as I am) that not only is it a product they’d use themselves (and do) but that they can sell it to you with pride, knowing of the quality.
At craft shows, which I do around the North Texas area in the fall, both to see folks face to face, but also to test market new ideas and scents and get very valuable face time reactions, I have a comment I make. “Hi there! I make everything you see and if you have any questions, I’ll be glad to answer!” After all, I know why each and every ingredient is in each and every product. And I love gabbing about them.
That’s just a few of the reasons why handmade (HANDCRAFTED!) is best. If I don’t see you at one of my local craft shows, stop by my site and take a look. I’m also on Etsy, Artfire and Cargoh. But by all means, support your local artisans. And take money away from the sweatshops and dictatorships around the world. Spend your money with your neighbors and help them build their dreams. You’ll be happier that you did.
