The Best Reasons to Buy Handmade Products
As people become more tired of corporate giants such as Wal Mart, which move into communities and decimate local economies and cultures to bring in cheaper and better quality goods, the "handmade" movement is gaining momentum. It's not ethical or economically efficient to buy cheap goods made in Third World sweatshops. There are many reasons customers choose to buy handmade products, but these are the most important.
1. Handmade products support traditional arts. Crafters and artisans have created unique and useful items throughout history. Handmade goods are a way to support these arts. If there is no market for handmade goods, artistic techniques that have existed for thousands of years could be lost.
2. Handmade means that you are buying one-of-a-kind. Handmade clothing and art can help you stand out in a culture that is obsessed with uniformity. You will feel more comfortable being that you are, and you like to be different than everyone else.
3. Handmade means higher quality. Handmade items are usually of a higher quality than those manufactured by mass-produced discount stores. Handmade items are carefully made from high quality materials and meticulously crafted to last a lifetime.
4. Handmade products support small businesses. Because most artisans and craftsmen use unique materials that are not mass-produced, when you purchase handmade products, you're not only supporting the artist but all of the artists who created the materials. A handmade item is a better investment than buying mass-produced items because it supports multiple artists.
5. Handmade products are a bold statement. You can make a conscious decision to purchase handmade products over mass-produced ones. This shows that you value quality and craftsmanship as well as supporting small businesses rather than big retailers. You are telling Wal Mart that not all consumers can be seduced with the lowest price when you buy handmade products.