Why Buy Handmade?

Handmade Gifts Benefit The Buyer, The Artisan & The World

Over the last 200 years, the manner in which goods are produced has fundamentally changed. In the past, essentially 100% of goods were once handmade; now, factories account for most of the world’s production processes. Today, the ten most commonly produced consumer good categories in the world are factory-made - collectively accounting for 69% of world trade.[1]

Fortunately, handmade products are now gaining more momentum with the advent of fair trade, eco consciousness, sweat free and socially responsible shopping. Handcrafted and handmade items restore a sustainable and personal element to the global economy. Handmade goods are often much more environmentally sustainable compared with factory-produced goods, they support communities that do not have access to high tech machinery and infrastructure and they promote creativity, ingenuity and cultural expression. The handmade gifts offered on our website are typically created by one woman from start to finish, allowing the artisan to take pride in the finished product, and to work at home to stay with their children if needed.

All of our artisan partners use handmade processes to create their fair trade products. Here’s how just a few embrace the handmade alternative to factory production:

In Maputoland and Zululand in northeastern South Africa, families typically lacked the resources to buy manufactured toys. Taking matters into their own hands, young boys in the region began handcrafting toy cars out of discarded coat hangers and other easily accessible materials. As the practice grew, older members of the community adopted what has become a vibrant tradition of Zulu Wire Art. Artisans call themselves “wiremasters,” and fashion all kinds of products by hand from discarded wires and beads. Our partner Streetwires creates ornaments, key chains, and tea lights through this crafting process. Buy handmade beaded keychains from Streetwires.

The women of Adisia, a cooperative based in Israel, are a group of Ethiopian Jews who emigrated due to famine and conflict in their home country. They brought with them a complex tradition of embroidery, which they continue to practice in their new home, using entirely handmade processes. This income generation process provides the women with an opportunity to express themselves through art and embroidery and to communicate with those purchasing their products. Buy fair trade Judaica created by these women and other similar groups.

[1] CIA World Factbook, “The World.”