Submitted by: Jamie Hollier
Handmade gifts stand out and mean more.
A wedding, the birth of a child, a new home, an important birthday… All of these are events that mark our lives forever and should be celebrated with a gift you can cherish for a lifetime. Although mixers and vacuums are invaluable tools in our society (as I learned while trying to clean the house with a broken vacuum and in-laws on the way) they just don't do justice to the important milestones of a life. Items that are handmade don't usually end up in the trash bin in five years once they break or become outdated. Handmade goods, like a beautiful clock I once received, become heirlooms that hold memories of special times and people.
Handmade goods also have a personality that a toaster can't really match, even if it is hotrod red. When an item is handmade, a little part of the creator of that piece goes into it. Artists put their ideas, personality, style, and often blood, sweat, and tears into their work. When you find a handmade gift that is just right, you find a gift that speaks volumes about who you are, who the recipient is, and the connection between you.
Society benefits when it supports handmade goods.
Supporting artists creates a stronger community and makes special bonds. Being able to send a personal message to someone that created your favorite vase is immensely different than grabbing someone with a nametag and telling them how much you love your new iron. Owning work to which you can put a name or a face is an amazing experience that creates a very personal connection to an item. When something can stop being stuff and start being art, the value of it shifts.
The arts have been a part of all societies for as long as man has existed, from cave paintings of centuries ago to a hand-knit scarf that your friend got you. Showing your support for artists by owning their work goes a long way in helping to create a world where are does matter and there is a place for beauty and craftsmanship in every home. As a child my mother dragged me to art show after craft fair to museum, and I believe that for me, that has made all the difference. A world that is devoid of art and people that make a living with their passion is a sad one indeed.
Handmade goods tend to be more green.
Have you seen the story of stuff? It is a cool website with a short but immensely educational presentation. The presentation talks about the consumer cycle and how its linear nature is detrimental to our world on many levels. From big box stores destruction of the environment for raw materials, to planned obsolesce, poor working conditions, and pollution in goods and the processes used to produce them, the consumer cycle created by larger retail operations often has much bigger effects thantheir customers realize. Handmade goods are different. They are made with more traditional and environmentally conscious methods. Many artists are conscious of the impact their work will have on the environment and strive to create green items with green techniques, often utilizing recycled or recyclable materials. Also, handmade goods are not planned with the idea of becoming obsolete; these goods are usually meant to last a lifetime at the minimum. In opposition to many mass produced goods, handmade items don't tend to end up in landfills or incinerators.
Jamie Hollier believes in the importance of handmade and artist made goods. The title of excellent gift giver has also been bestowed on Jamie for her skills with giving handmade gifts. She has been involved in the arts community since she could barely walk behind her mother at art shows and museums. You can find more information about handmade goods and gifts at Rancho Del Arte, a company that supports the arts and is a favorite shopping spot for Jamie.
