When you give a handmade item, you are giving your loved one something unique and special, something that will set them apart from the rest, something no one else can give them, something that's quite often one of a kind. You won't have to worry if someone else got them the same thing. Many handmade artists can custom make your item so you get something personalized and individual. An outfit made to specific measurements, an accessory in a favorite color, a useful tool with a meaningful symbol or style. There are so many artists willing to go the extra mile for you. You can't say that about many chain stores.
The quality of handmade items is often better than what you can get in a mass-produced store as well. Maybe you can get that cute shirt or fashionable furniture or trendy accessory from the outlet mall for an amazing price, but will it hold up more than a few uses? Handmade items are built to last, because they are built with love, love for the customer and love for the craft. A real milliner doesn't churn out ten baseball caps an hour with shoddy seams and badly dyed fabric. She takes her time on each unique hat, making each a work of art that will last for years to come.
You'll be supporting someone who makes a living off of their craft, which is something extraordinary on its own. There is nothing better than the feeling an artist gets when his work is appreciated, and when you wear/use it for all to see, you're advertising his wares by showing others how much you love it. Carry a business card when use that special handmade piece, so when others express admiration, you can direct more business toward the artist.
Supporting local artists and shopping at locally-owned businesses helps your community directly. You're helping your friends, neighbors, family; and will come back to you in some way.
Also, on the other end of things, please appreciate it when you're given a handmade gift. Think of the time and effort that went into that object. Whether it was made by the gift-giver himself, or picked out and personalized for you, it means so much more than anything they could have picked up at the last minute from WalMart on the way to your gathering.
In the same spirit of handmade items and local businesses, please support local and independent musicians as well. Many fantastic bands create their own record labels and produce their albums themselves, to stay free from the bonds of the music industry. They put their heart and soul into their music, and spend a lot of time paying attention to every detail, from the music to the album art to the quality of the recordings. Supporting local bands is just like supporting local businesses - you're helping your community and encouraging up-and-coming musicians.
A few rocking handmade shops:
http://www.luxurylanesoap.com/
http://www.etsy.com/shop/craftsquatch
http://scoundrelleskeep.com/
http://www.etsy.com/shop/TomBanwell
http://www.etsy.com/shop/ForStrangeWomen
Local Shops (local to Watertown, WI anyway)
http://on.fb.me/fnOQlo
http://www.tribecagallerycafe.com/
http://farhorizonsgifts.weebly.com/index.html
http://www.thewillowsgifts.com/
Etsy's Local Shop Finder
http://www.etsy.com/shop_local.php
Awesome Independent & Local Bands:
http://abneypark.com/
http://www.amandapalmer.net/afp/
http://www.cruxshadows.com/
http://www.unwoman.com/
http://www.rasputina.com/
http://www.voltaire.net/
http://www.zoekeating.com/
http://www.veronagroveband.com/
As always, leaving you with a few photos! This time, they are of some of the latest handmade products I've listed in my shop. (Can't hurt to do just a little shameless promotion ;)
http://www.etsy.com/shop/NaturaPlumaDesigns
http://www.etsy.com/shop/Crysiira
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