Most jewelry wearers have at least one piece of handmade jewelry in their collection. Maybe it was bought while on vacation or perhaps it was at a street fair or art show - no matter the event, it was a moment of connection. Still, most people don't understand the true value of handmade compared to mass-produced.
A machine can produce hundreds of units per hour while an individual can only make a finite number. Why does this matter? Attention to detail and uniqueness, my friends!
Reasons to buy handmade
Supporting real people - Every artist has a unique reason for creating each piece and you get to learn their story and become a part of it through connection. It creates moments you will remember and your money actually supports the artist.
Exclusivity - Handmade means no two pieces will ever be exactly alike. You will have a "limited edition" or "one-of-a-kind" piece. Unlike machine-made, you can't just "go get another one".
Quality - In most cases, the materials used in handmade are of a much higher quality because the artist can control the process from start to finish. A lot of makers are dedicated to sustainable and ethically sourced materials. When there's a person behind the product they're making decisions that are more conscious for everyone involved. With mass-produced products, it's difficult to know what alloys are used - sometimes even lead!
Locally made - As always, buying local supports the community and puts you in a position to be a part of that.
The process - It takes a time to make a single piece and that translates to devotion, care, and attention to detail. The artist has put in countless hours from conception to finished product to make an original piece and that time is valuable.
The next time you consider purchasing a handmade piece remember that even though the price may be more than machine-made, the handmade piece is a better investment because investing in people, community, quality, originality, and time are always worth more.