1337 Art's handmade inspiration

I started making jewelry for myself after never being able to find something of quality and value at department stores. I found out about Etsy, and I was amazed at how many people have such an interest in all things handmade.

In the forums I have met a bunch of great people, and I have learned a lot of stories of the people behind the shop. I fell in love with handmade items, and it is wonderful that I can support someone when purchasing a unique item.

I have also started doing Artist features on My blog .

That feature handmade artists. It is important for the world to learn the charms and joys of buying handmade.

I much rather buy something that was made with someone's own two hands.

1337 Art, 21, Fashion Designer / Business Owner, 1337art.etsy.com
Washington, United States
Thursday, October 23, 2008 2:26 pm

1

Julie at Creative Genius's handmade inspiration

5 years ago I opened a gallery that exclusively sells handmade items. I think as Americans we do not always support our own culture and I think handmade items are a big part of what makes up a culture. One thing I admire about Europe is the focus that is placed on the arts and here in the United States, people have this Walmart mentality. Instead of focusing on the quality of handmade items, people go cheap. It was refreshing to come across this site...hope it inspires a ton of people to appreciate the little bit of personal energy that goes into every handmade creation and that gets transfered from creator to buyer.

Julie at Creative Genius, 40, Gallery owner, www.creativegeniusonline.com
Southern NJ
Tuesday, September 16, 2008 11:24 am

1

Transition from supporting WAHMs to becoming one

I started out buying handmade because of cloth diapers. I knew I wanted to use cloth even before my first child was born. At that time I thought there were only a few stores that sold diapers - boy was I wrong. I soon got introduced to the world of WAHMs!

I quickly moved from cloth diapers to buying clothes, toys and many other WAHM products! It is so nice to get something handmade for your kids (and yourself!)and know that you are also supporting a family! I live in a small rural area where there is really only one major place to buy clothes, toys, shoes. I LOVE having the WAHM community to buy things for my kids that does not come from that retailer.

Of course there is the downside....my obsession of buying beautiful hand-dyed yarn to knit. There are so many creative wonderful dyers out there I am always tempted by their beautiful colorways!

Since I need to support my yarn buying habit (not to mention my fabric buying habit), I've turned my love of quilting into sewing knitting and crocheting accessories for others. I love being a part of the WAHM community! It gives me another outlet for my creativity and love of all things fabric and yarn!

Kathi, Mom/Archaeologist/Artist, www.hyenacart.com/chacocreations
Tuesday, July 8, 2008 7:41 am

1

Wonderfully Handmade

I believe that it is incredibly important to support art and to be creative.

Mamakopp, 32, mother that does everything, www.livenlearnnow.com
Central Missouri
Saturday, September 27, 2008 6:06 pm

2

Passing on a tradition

What inspires me to buy and make handmade? I have a hard time nailing down one thing. I guess I grew up in an environment that cherished handmade.

Growing up in a small farming community we made as many of our own things as possible. Mass produced items were just not readily available.

When I started to make my own bath and body products I was inspired by my grandma. The comforting scent of her "chamil-a-tea" that she used for just about everything. The way that I was brought up to trust nature and what it could provide. My mom telling us 20 years ago that she thought plastics were bad for our health. My grandpa making toys in the garage. The wonderful sweet taste of chokecherry jam and sryup, homemade pickles, salsa, and pickled beets. I could go on and on.

But the biggest thing is I want my children to experience these things. I want them to know that you can pick berries and make jam. That you can grow your food. That you can sew beautiful clothes. That you can make lotion and soap that is good for your body and the envoironment.

I have found that in almost every case things that are handmade are of a much higher quaility then their mass produced counterpart. Not to mention that a handmade product gives back to you the love and care the person put into making it. What more could you ask for.

EarthMuffin, 29, Work at home mom, hyenacart.com/EarthMuffin
Midwest
Tuesday, July 29, 2008 11:31 am

2