10 Reasons to Shop Handmade

The Merriam Webster Dictionary defines "haven" as: a place offering favorable opportunities or conditions.  One of the primary purposes of Mama-press is to offer opportunities to very small mom owned businesses...moms sewing or crafting in their basements after the kids are asleep.  In other words, I provide a "Handmade Haven." I offer a business directory as well as seasonal catalogs showcasing some great mom-made products.  My Halloween CATalog is live, and my Candy Cane Catalog will go live 11/1.  These both (will) contain handmade items by moms.  Below is a list of 10 reasons you should shop handmade:

1. Made with care (and love). Put simply, someone's blood, sweat, and tears go into these items.  It's not a machine or an assembly line creating these goods.  It's someone who cares about each individual product.  It's an item that was touched by a person from beginning to end...handmade.
2. Eco-friendly. The handmade process by definition doesn't create harmful emissions.  The only by-product may be the crafter's "blood, sweat, and tears!"  There are no harmful gases emitted, the carbon footprint is extremely small.
3. Local. Thus far, the business on my site are all local.  They are Made in the USA (a couple may be Canadian).  So, there are limited transportation costs involved with delivery of the final product.
4. Unique. When you buy at a mall, the item is a "dime a dozen."  There could be thousands of other people wearing the sweater you bought for you dear Aunt Louise.  However, a handmade item is unique, possibly never before seen, and a conversation piece.
5. Moms supporting moms. You may have a personal endeavor on which you're working (a blog perhaps?).  You want people to support you.  All these creative artists and crafters want people supporting them too...and who better than people in their same sisterhood...moms!
6. Personalization. Often times you can personalize your handmade item.  Either literally via embroidery, or figuratively via specifying colors or patterns.  You surely cannot do this at box stores at the mall.
7. Customer Service. When you buy handmade.... you are working with the President, CEO, Marketing Manager, CFO, etc. of the small business.  It's very, very likely a one-woman shop.  This is a person who has a major vested interested in her small business, someone who likely will do nearly anything to make you happy...and convert to a repeat customer.
8. Thought. Handmade gifts oftentimes are perceived as more thoughtful than a regular store bought gift.  You could walk into a book store or a clothes store and grab anything off the shelf.  A handmade item takes forethought...and it shows.
9. Image. Assuming the quality is there, handmade items are more "boutique-ish" in nature, and come across that way to the recipient. Especially if you wrap them in some superb paper and ribbon.
10. Cost. There are not multiple mark-ups when you buy handmade.  Yes, the shop owner needs to make some money, but there is very little chance she is marking her items up to the same great percentages that some stores do.

The next time you have a gift, home decor item, or accessory to buy, consider handmade.  Stop by, check out my catalogs (updated seasonally).  Support these great small businesses, refer your crafty friends, and help this community grow more.  The greater it grows, the more support and business these creative and talented people will get!

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