A Home Intel Editor’s View on Crafts and Going Hand-Made
I am a “half-crafter.” This is a phrase coined by me (at least as far as I know), and loosely defined as someone who loves craft supply stores, craft supplies, craft books and craft project plans . . . but rarely has the time to see it through to completion. Thus, we half-crafters have at least one closet in the house that’s filled with an organized mess of things that “will get finished this weekend, maybe.”
But there’s something relaxing and soothing about the way that crafts take our minds from life’s hectic schedule and series of intangible “to-do’s” to a place of creativity and innovation. There’s nothing more satisfying to me than creating or dressing an item that can hold memories, represent an occasion, become a gift, be snuggled by a kid, worn by a friend or hung with pride on the wall of a grandmother’s home.
While I consider myself on the amateur end of the crafting spectrum with my hot glue gun and scrapbook markers, crafting is a broad term that, in my opinion, encompasses artists of all kind – from the cupcake maker to the oil-painter, and all uber-talented or “just trying” in between. It’s becoming popular, and today’s entrepreneurs are taking it to the marketplace.
Why We Make
My initial thought was that the simple joy of creating something cool, mixed with today’s trend of recycling and re-using products has led to a market that is becoming more and more flushed with hand-made goods. After more research, I found that these are indeed leading reasons, but that there are even more.
Hand-made items are becoming a lucrative business. Artists see dollar signs associated with creating something they’re passionate about. And, today’s internet and social media platforms support the sale and promotion of these items, rendering every craft fair a global experience.
Blogs and Web sites galore are dedicated to all things artistic. Because of clutter and sheer volume, artisans are smart to marketing themselves as specifically as possible – furniture maker, jewelry artist, crochet expert, etc. The site Etsy.com popped up everywhere in my research, and regards itself as the “worlds most vibrant handmade marketplace.” After viewing other sites, this seems to be one of the most organized and well regarded “meeting places” for artists and shoppers.
The blog Poppytalk a very popular blog dedicated to trends in hand-made goods, is also a smart place to start whether you’re the artist or the buyer.
And that brings up the second half of the equation – the buyer.
Why We Buy
As you’ve read, I have a personal interest in the “making” part of the hand-made goods story. It’s time to examine why people want these goods. Once again I evaluate my gut feeling and think, “Well, that’s easy. It’s because people crave uniqueness, genuineness, and one-of-a-kind-ness in this Target, Wal-Mart, Home Depot world of regurgitated product.”
Sure. But easier said than done.
Our society and lifestyles have us gravitating to the quickest, most convenient solutions. We rarely allow ourselves the time to sit and peruse the options, when indeed we’d find that it takes less time than running over to Kohls for that pair of earrings for your sister’s next birthday.
Connecting artist with buyer takes time on both sides, but as both parties get savvier by the day we see the market and consumers’ behavior shifting. It’ll always take time to fins what you want as a buyer, because the nature of these products and their creators goes against all-things quick, mainstream and pre-produced. Artists need to connect with buyers on a different level.
Whether selling in a physical store or online, marketers of hand-made goods are smart to capitalize on a few key emotional triggers as they set up shop. They will earn repeat business and word-of-mouth credibility if they can successfully communicate to the buyer that they are:
- Getting something totally unique
- Supporting an entrepreneur
- (Most of the time) Supporting a green or eco-friendly process
- Going to be passionate about the good, whether it’s for you or for someone else
It’s that last sentiment that brings buyers and craftspeople together – a passion for something. Something that took time to create and something that took time to find and purchase.
Keep an eye on this trend as the world seeks to be green, interesting, unique and out-of-the-Big-Box. I have to go now, so that I can buy the hand-made tooth fairy pillow I just found for my kids at BunniesandBows.com. Then I’m going to finish that scrapbook I started. Happy shopping. Happy creating.
