Moonstone earrings with brass - A Beautiful Glow

My mother is an artist and as far as I can remember I have watched her paint or sketch most of the time.
She

always created center pieces for the table during various holidays and would sew our clothes when me and my sister

and brothers were younger. She inspired me to do crafts and to create. She has been an inspiration and ever since

I started designing and creating jewelry she has motivated me to continue and better myself at my art.

Les Bijoux Crea-Lune, 51, jewelry designer and creator, www.lesbijouxcrealune.etsy.com
Montreal, Qc. Canada
Monday, November 30, -0001 12:00 am

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Why handmade? My math...

I have always had a cheaper is better mentality.

When you don't have any money, cheaper means you can afford more. It's basic math. But is cheaper any better?

Do you really get what you pay for?

I have been trying to adjust my thinking, here over the last several

years. Here's some of my math:

I can go and buy a pair of pants from Walmart for $4.00 for my daughter.

They will get stained, most likely, will maybe shrink, and will be thin. They will likely wear out before she has

outgrown them. They will be machine washable, and can be worn for about a season.

Or I can go spend

upwards of $40 (probably the most I would be willing to pay) for wool yarn. Then spend a few days to a few weeks

making them into pants. Then have to wash them by hand forever. But, they can be worn indefinitely. As long as

I have a wool shaver, and water, these pants could last generations. My grandchildren could wear these same

pants.

So which one's the real value? To me, it's a no-brainer. After having been crocheting and

knitting my daughter's woolies for so long, I completely understand how some women would be willing to pay $75-

$100 for a pair of pants for her child that will probably outgrow them after a few months.
That same pair of

woolies will last long enough to fit their grandchildren. Not only that, but each stitch, each join, each detail

is lovingly created. Who can spend hours upon hours, thousands of stitches, producing a garment without loving

every minute of it? And, as most of us knitters and crocheters knows, most of what you make is for someone else!

Gillyweeds, Work at home mom, http://www.hyenacart.com/gillyweeds
Omaha, NE
Friday, November 12, 2010 10:53 am

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I <3 WAHM's

I am inspired to buy handmade for my children. The items are more

appreciated for the time, love and though that went in to them and how they can then be passed on to future

generations. You cannot do that with a cheap plastic thingamajig!

Leslie, 25, SAHM/WAHM, hyenacart.com/shout/
Arizona
Tuesday, November 9, 2010 12:30 pm

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Raw Baltic Amber Bracelet

I love holding something in my hands that

someone elses love and creativity made!

Happy Dance Designs, http://hyenacart.com/happydancedesigns/
Friday, November 5, 2010 11:09 am

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Appreciate handmade

I never really "appreciated" handmade items before. I mean, when I received things

from my great aunt or my grandmas that made me blankets I always thought they were nice, but that was about it.

Then about 4 years ago, I started cloth diapering my daughter and thought I should try making my own. So, I made

her diapers and never looked back. Now I have my own store and make handmade items and love to buy them as well.

I never appreciated handmade items until I learned that it's not so easy just to whip something up. Then I

learned to knit and it takes me a long time just to make a dishcloth, so for all those blankets I got as a kid I

appreciate them so much more. Now, I prefer handmade gifts over store bought items. You know heart and soul went

into every item that the person makes. So much more meaning and so much more beautiful!

Karen, 33, Wahm, hyenacart.com/chubbycheeks
USA
Wednesday, November 3, 2010 10:40 am

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