My inspiration ~ Herbs

I'm inspired to handmake because I'm passionate about what I do and when you're passionate... Well, when you're passionate you don't settle. You don't do second best. It's an all out, stay up 'til midnight CREATE. I'm inspired to buy handmade because these artisans have the same passion for whatever their particular gift is that I do about soap and herbs....

True Vine Herbs, 31, Wife, Mama, Herbalist, Soapmaker, www.truevineherbs.etsy.com
Iowa
Monday, July 7, 2008 3:22 pm

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pink is there really any other colour

I love handmade, both buying and creating. Handmade make such personal gifts and are usually one off items. I have purchased lots of handmade gifts over the years as there are lots of very talented people out there and I would rather buy something that has been made with love and care
My biggest purchase was Nappies for my daughters excellent and recommended, I even passed them onto the next baby in the family as they were so well made.

Rachael Hunt, 37, Mum, www.rachaelhunt.etsy.com
Surrey UK
Thursday, August 7, 2008 3:30 am

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Heidi's handmade inspiration

Buying handmade helps other moms just like me stay home with their babies! It is much more personal to give a handmade gift.

Heidi, 28, hyenacart.com/callumscorner
MO
Saturday, September 20, 2008 6:52 am

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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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Teach Your Children Well

While I've always supported the local vs. national when I could, cloth diapering was a lead in to a whole new realm of shopping with *real people*. As I started purchasing handmade items when my babies were born I was inspired to begin making them myself. "Handmaking" is contagious it seems. Now it has become a lifestyle for us, and the lessons myself and my children are learning are timeless and valuable. They know the time that goes into making an item, they understand the process. They learn that they can be self sufficient, they don't need to go to a big department store for their clothes, toys and jewelry, we can make them. If we don't know how to make something what do we do? Buy a book or pattern or buy from someone we know who knows how to make the item. My children are learning that trading is still alive and well, you don't necessarily have to have a dollar to get what you want. They are watching me learn to balance family vs. activity and all of the intricacies of running a small business. As all of us artisans raise our children along side building our handmade businesses, we are creating a culture of children who will value the handmade and have an independent "can do" spirit - priceless lessons that I'm proud to contribute to by producing and purchasing handmade.

Nita, 37, Sewist, Hot Salad, hotsaladbynita.com
Rockford, IL
Friday, July 11, 2008 8:25 am

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