Picture this:
Heaped cups of golden beeswax with spoonfuls of vibrant earth and mineral pigments mixed in. Colour by colour melted in a slow flame. The choicest ingredients combined then hand poured to create small batches of warm and clean crayons. Carefully unmoulded, stick by stick, wrapped or boxed then packaged before reaching the hands of an excited little artist. A slow, thoughtful and extremely rewarding process that creates a unique masterpiece of a colour set ready for a child's world of ideas. While there are several reasons that make handmade special like quality, uniqueness and artistic value, one of the main reason that handmade products stand out is the story behind them that weaves as the product comes to life. This in comparison to mass-produced crayons is worlds apart.
Handmade is made to last
Handmade is thoughtful
Handmade is top-notch quality
Handmade is gentle on the environment
Handmade is artistic impression
Handmade is fair
What makes handmade so satisying to produce, to purchase and to use is a combination of several reasons like their quality, uniqueness and artistic value. One of the main reasons handmade products stand out is the story behind them that weaves as the product comes to life. While some reasons are more personal, others positively impact society and the world as a whole. Let's discuss.
Quality and Personality
Due to the attention given to detail and the extensive time and effort spent perfecting each aspect of it, each handmade creation is sturdier and more durable than goods produced in an automated mechanical process. Each handmade creation is infused with the artist's personal style using the finest raw materials he or she can find. The handmade process is manual with the use of only basic hand tools. This results in each piece being unique, demonstrating the artist's craftsmanship and personality in all of its features. Every part of a handmade product from its polishing and carving to its labelling and packaging speaks of its original character. The lack of automation is something easily felt in handmade goods.
Eco-friendly Process and Artisan Support
The handmade process, by its nature, brings together the use of natural and eco-friendly material in a wholesome and sustainable way. The process demands less energy and creates less waste. The handmade process brings with it artisan support in the wider society. It provides an opportunity for artistans to not only maintain their skills but also impart them, encouraging creativity, creating jobs and fuelling the economy.
Fair Labour
In an age of overconsumption, fast fashion, and forced labour, the handmade process provides conscious buyers with a refreshing and much-needed choice of buying what aligns with their values and ethics.
The meaningfulness that a handmade creation carries cannot be missed and the satisfaction derived from using handmade products will remain unmatched. It is not a use and throw product, or something that will go out of style in a few years. It is good as it is and will remain so. A blend of artistry, effort and attention to detail, the results of a handmade process bear properties will not be there otherwise.