In a climate where funds are tight and the future is uncertain, why spend on handmade jewellery when you can hop over to Temu or Shein and get something similar for a quarter of the price?
No, this isn't an advert for Temu or Shein!! I was listening to a podcast from The Guardian yesterday and they were discussing the damage that these two companies have on retail in the Western world and also the economy and livelihoods in China. These companies are destroying other businesses! All in the name of fast fashion, how to get the latest trend at a fraction of the cost. But guess what? THE PLANET CAN'T HANDLE THAT! This isn't a rant about fast fashion or the global impact of it. This is me trying to promote small businesses. Along the way, we build up little trader families, imagine spending a whole day next to a stranger, you chat all day, often about things that you wouldn't expect. By the end of the day you've made a new best friend and then you could go for months, even a year until you next see them! I want to promote these guys too!
Personal
When you buy handmade pieces, you can know that an actual person has crafted your piece with their own hands. Created by a willing human being, not forced to work in conditions which we are not used to, but often from our own homes and made with passion, love and precision. All of the creators I have met at markets or online have started their businesses because they are interested in their chosen genre and have the courage (or slight madness!) to take the leap to turn it into a business. Each piece will tell a story which the person who has made it will have woven into it. Whether they were inspired by their surroundings, people, or just thought they would try a new skill they picked up along the way.
Unique
Every piece you buy will be a unique and one-of-a-kind piece. Even when I use something to make a mould for sand casting, no two pieces will be the same because of so many other variables (see my sandcasting blog!). I sometimes use a ready made punch to create uniform shapes, however even with the punched shapes, they wont be perfectly identical to the next piece. Isn't that exciting? Knowing that each piece is unique and has so much love and time dedicated to it?!
Quality
Each piece has been made by hand, not by machine and not under conditions which could affect production. Every piece of jewellery will have had a lot of time and attention to detail paid to it, whereas a mass produced piece won't have received that kind of attention and care.
Ethical
When you buy from me, you can rest assured that your piece has been made from recycled sterling silver and all of the stones that I use are either ethically sourced, man made or upcycled to ensure that it is aligned with my morals. I'm very aware and conscious about the environmental impact, even my gift boxes are made from recycled materials.
Supporting a Human!
When you buy from me, whether its in person, from my website or messaging me directly through social media, you are supporting me and my family. This is my full-time job and I put a lot of time, love and energy into it, so when you make a purchase, no matter how small, it is making a huge impact to our lives! I glow with happiness when I make a sale! And don't get me started about when I see people actually wearing my jewellery, I could cry!
Hopefully I have covered enough points eloquently enough to highlight the benefits of buying from artisans. You really are changing lives by supporting us, it sounds dramatic but it's very true!
Thank you for reading this far, have a fabulous day!
Tania x