We have taken the Handmade Pledge .
My family and I are only buying handmade this holiday season: No waiting in long lines at Target to buy last-minute gifts, no jockeying for a parking space at South Coast Plaza, no guilt from overspending. Nope, not for us this year. We are joining the legions of people in the Handmade Movement.
Just to clarify, handmade, means handcrafted, not homemade. We’re not giving only pinch pots and macaroni necklaces (though I love receiving those from my kids), we are giving only things made by independent artists.
Even my dog George is buying handmade!
Though I’m THE most uncrafty person, and–let’s face it–a disgrace when it comes to hand-eye coordination, I admire and firmly support those who have artistic abilities. My biggest aversion to doing crafts or homey things like baking is the clean-up.
Here’s the deal with me: I only like activities where I can quit at a moment’s notice. I don’t want to have to worry about putting things away or finding a place for something to dry. I simply have no patience and a hair-trigger “knock-it-off” button. If I can’t push my chair away from the task at any time and say “I’m done with this” and then walk away, you can pretty much count me out.
I’m better-suited for blogging, photography, and making short videos–all things that are perfect activities for us quitter-types.
This is why I love my crafters, artists, jewelry makers, knitters, bookmakers, etc. They truly sacrifice for their art and, I suspect, spend hours happily wiping glue off their dogs, searching for lost beads in the carpet, and purposefully tackling each aisle at Michael’s. I love them for it.
I want to support them in their efforts. So that’s why my family has decided this Christmas we will buy exclusively all handmade gifts. Although I will miss my traditional J.Crew Sweater (**sniff**sniff), and my husband his Old Navy boxers, I’m certain we will find equally posh and practical selections on Etsy.
Here is a clever video about the Buy Handmade Movement:
http://www.vimeo.com/375970
Take this holiday season to line the pockets of independent artists, so they can buy….ummm….whatever it is that artists have to buy to make beautiful, unique gifts.
More posts by Mommy’s Mind is Not a Toy (Suzanne Broughton):
- Take the kids on an Art Walk
- A Spooktacular time at Mickey’s Trick-or-Treat party
- Going orange for “HallowEden”
- Okay kids, time to break out the French maid costumes!
- I’m afraid of wimps and you should be, too
Quick links:
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Hi Suzanne-
Good for you for supporting independent artists and not big stores this season. To that end, I’d like to invite you to visit my website: http://www.CityArtPhotography.com.
If I may toot my own horn, I think my work makes a really cool, unique, personalized gift for absolutely anyone.
Thanks very much!
~Mindy
Hi Suzanne,
I commend your attitude and approach. Have you visited Present Tense in San Clemente. It’s a great boutique owned by Pam Marshak who shares a similar ideology.
It’s a great store that carries truly one-of-a-kind arts, jewerly, craftwork and the like. My understanding is that all of the items are the handmade products of individual artists or small studios. There are no mass-produced items from China/Thailand or the like.
karen
I find many gifts there and my friends and family get very excited when they receive a present that is wrapped with a Present Tense tag attached. Additionally, I purchase a number of items for myself and my home, knowing that I will never see someone with the same purse, necklace, pin, scarf, or ceramic bowl.
You should visit Present Tense (on Del Mar Avenue in San Clemente) –as this would be an excellent opportunity to support not only the individual artists, but someone that shares your views.
Hi Suzanne.
Thank you for your support of independent artists! My favorite handmade craft gallery is Present Tense on Avenida del Mar in San Clemente. The gallery features the work of amazing artists from around the country and around the corner. Pam and her wonderful staff can help you with all your handmade gifts this holiday season. http://www.presenttensegallery.com
Lori
Handmade is the way to go. You can help fellow Americans through tough financial times and get better quality products than in the store for LESS money.
Etsy is just one of many handmade sites. There are also great handmade artisans on http://www.artfire.com.
Handmade is not just a movement, it is a return to the good things in life for the people you love.
Yeah for everyone who buys handmade!!!! Keep all artists from starving. I too, am a Present Tense junky (junky being defined as customer, employee and artist). The staff is awesome (especially on Sunday), well and aw shucks, they carry my favorite jewelry lines (okay–one of them is mine) . A great place to shop the contemporary craft movement and be able to touch it at the same time.
I want to add my praise for PRESENT TENSE in San Clemente. Pam Marshak’s delightful store is packed with AMERICAN HANDCRAFTED items! Everything said above is true about this gallery. Pam goes to great lengths to find items that you will never see in a department store. HALLELUJAH! Please support this gallery and other brick and mortar stores to ensure their existence!
While all the craft websites are terrific, please remember that there are several galleries that feature handmade work right here in OC run by small business owners in your community — folks who support your local schools, sports teams, community organizations and events with donations whenever asked. Before you turn to the internet (often you pay postage and handling to shop there) check out the craft galleries here in OC. You’ll find wonderful, one-of-a-kind work, be supporting a local business (that has created jobs) and get to know your neighbors!
While the artisan websites and catalogs are terrific, please remember that there are craft galleries here in the county that are locally owned small businesses that support their communities — they donate to local schools, sports teams, community organizations and events … and they create jobs. So before you shop online/catalog for handmade (and often pay postage and handling charges) please visit your local galleries. You’ll find wonderful one-of-a-kind handmade work, be supporting a local business and meet a neighbor!
I’m another ardent fan of Present Tense in San Clemente. The only problem is that every time I go in to buy a gift for someone, I buy at least 2 “presents” for myself! Pam does an amazing job of finding the most unique items - from jewelry to handbags/totes to artwork.
I must agree, Present Tense has a fabulous collection of handmade crafts. I always do all of my gift shopping there!
Buy Handmade!!!
http://tinyurl.com/buyhandmade