The Little Things

I love the little things. As in, the little whiskers stitched on my red kitty or the tiny felt berries made for a family of felt gnomes.

Personally I like to make little things. I think little things have big character. They're easy for tiny hands to hold and don't take up too much space. When I was a little kid I loved to set up miniature dollhouse scenes, and everything would be perfect down to the last miniscule cup for a two-inch doll to hold. I still like to set up scenes, and I still delight at seeing tiny versions of things.

And anyway, isn't it the little things that count?

Chloe, 15, Etsian, www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5159475
USA
Wednesday, October 1, 2008 5:49 pm

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OriginalsbyLauren's handmade inspiration

In this day and age of cheap, poorly made imports, it is nice to know that handmade items are made with care. No matter where they come from, here or abroad, artisans take pride in their work and you get a quality product.

OriginalsbyLauren, 54, originalsbylauren.etsy.com
upstate NY
Monday, July 7, 2008 10:18 pm

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Susan Foley's handmade inspiration

Buying handmade is unique and eyecatching- no one else has seen it. I bought the cutest Rudolph Reindeer Christmas cards that make me smile every time I look at them. For the first time in years I'm excited to mail out Christmas cards to friends and family!

Susan Foley
Tuesday, December 15, 2009 3:30 pm

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Something that will really last...

Handmade items have always been a part of my life, from the time I was born. One blanket was even lovingly handstitched by my mother just days before my birth. That was nearly 22 years ago. I still have that blanket, and both of my children have been lovingly snuggled in it, just as I was. Just as my 3 sisters after me were. Just as my future grandchildren will be.
How often does a blanket you buy in a store get saved, and used for 3 generations of children? Not often, they're not worth saving.
I have dozens of handmade blankets, dresses, sweaters, hats that were saved over the years. I will use them, and then save them again. Handmade items are something that will last.

The above photo features my daughter wearing a sweater that my great grandmother knit for one of my younger sisters, and a Tadpoles n Butterflies t-shirt made just for her.

Mama Stone, 21, Artisan, hyenacart.com/mamastonecreations
Vancouver, BC, Canada
Monday, October 6, 2008 4:51 pm

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Leaving a Legacy...

I buy, and create handmade because I want to leave a legacy.

I've had a rough childhood, and really just a rough life, but one of my happiest memories from childhood are the handmade nightgowns that my father made us for christmas one year. I swore that I would hand mine down to my children, and that I would make it a tradition to give my own family hand made christmas p.j.'s every year when I was grown. I was 9 at the time.

I've always loved to create, and the beauty in handmade items. My goal is to prove to my family that items do not have to be branded to be beautiful, functional, and stylish. I hope that one day my family members who swear they will never own or use anything handmade, and that think that if it's not branded then it must not be worth anything, will one day not only use items that I've made, but proudly proclaim that they are handmade!

Ever since I've pondered having children, I've known that in one way or another, I wanted to leave a legacy for them...to be make a difference, and to be remembered. I hope that my crafting can be part of this legacy. I hope that I will be the mother, and the grandmother that is remembered as always creating beautiful items, and that is not only remebered because of the items left behind, but by my own children, and hopefully even friends, that create because of me and remember me while doing so.

I buy handmade because I want the best for my children, and what could be better than something that was created by hand with love in everything that went into it? I want to support other people and families who work at home to support their families, like I do, in hopes that not only will they support me, but that it will be like a virus, and more and more people will begin to be able to be truly happy, and get back to the things that are most important in life. I dream of a world where we are never in need because we can make, or trade for anything we don't have, and money is much less important. I know this is wishful thinking, but everytime I buy handmade, I feel like we are a step closer. So that's why I buy, and make, handmade, and why you should consider it too!

Kelley, WAHM behind The Cozy Cloth Corner, 24, WAHM, Licensced Daycare Provider, Premier Jeweler, and owner of The Cozy Cloth Corner on HC, www.hyenacart.com/cozy_cloth
MI
Wednesday, August 6, 2008 9:16 am

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