Traditions

I grew up in a traditional, old fashioned home. We grew our own produce in the summer(which was preserved for winter months), chopped firewood for our furnance, visited yard sales and flea markets for treasures, bought locally grown foods, and handmade items, as well as spent a lot of time together as a family.

During the winter, I remember sitting by the fireplace with my mother working on crafts. We would make wreaths, quilts, ornaments, stuffed animals, clothes for my dolls, etc. Spending time with my mother and learning a skill was quite interesting and enjoyable, even at such a young age. I preferred sewing, painting, dyeing, and crafting over the typical kid behavior of watching tv or going to the mall. It gave me a chance to chat and bond with my mom, while we labored over a project which we could later reflect our hard earned pride on.

When I got married and moved away from my hometown, I carried on my mother's beliefs by crafting items for my new home. Shortly after having my first child though, I noticed how unfulfilled I felt when purchasing or receiving store bought toys and clothes. Soon I began to seek out handmade items for my son to play with. Even though I didn't have the time to make everything myself like I did before, I still had the option of providing him with quality toys by purchasing them from wonderful work at home mothers, just like my own mom. As our family grew from three to four over the years, and one more coming soon, I continued to buy handmade items for my children to adore. I love to see their faces when we get a new toy in the mail. They are so fascinated by the unique and imaginative details, something that is lacking in store bought items.

I even began to carry on the tradition of crafting with my oldest. We frequently spend time together drawing pictures, playing with homemade play dough, and making holiday crafts.

All in all I feel so much more complete as a person knowing that I am doing something right and carrying on a family tradition. I hope that my children do the same when they have children of their own.

Jennifer, WAHM, www.naturalmadison.com
Midwest, U.S.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008 3:18 pm

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Handmade is so much more!

When you buy handmade it is so much more than just getting a product. Handmade items offer that unique character that can only come by being individually hand crafted. Whether creating or purchasing, these kinds of items offer imagination, inspiration and a sense of true contribution. As a mother, I love being able to offer my children the gift of hand made items both that I have made or that I have purchased from another artisan. The instant pride and care it encourages, knowing that the gift was made especially for them, is priceless in itself! As a hand-crafter, the opportunity to share my love of creating one of a kind gifts with another offers an inspiration that never gets old!
Passing on a love and a legacy of Handmade.

Kristy (ZooMama), Creative Seamstress, www.zooniquebaby.com/
Tennessee
Friday, February 26, 2010 2:39 pm

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Transition from supporting WAHMs to becoming one

I started out buying handmade because of cloth diapers. I knew I wanted to use cloth even before my first child was born. At that time I thought there were only a few stores that sold diapers - boy was I wrong. I soon got introduced to the world of WAHMs!

I quickly moved from cloth diapers to buying clothes, toys and many other WAHM products! It is so nice to get something handmade for your kids (and yourself!)and know that you are also supporting a family! I live in a small rural area where there is really only one major place to buy clothes, toys, shoes. I LOVE having the WAHM community to buy things for my kids that does not come from that retailer.

Of course there is the downside....my obsession of buying beautiful hand-dyed yarn to knit. There are so many creative wonderful dyers out there I am always tempted by their beautiful colorways!

Since I need to support my yarn buying habit (not to mention my fabric buying habit), I've turned my love of quilting into sewing knitting and crocheting accessories for others. I love being a part of the WAHM community! It gives me another outlet for my creativity and love of all things fabric and yarn!

Kathi, Mom/Archaeologist/Artist, www.hyenacart.com/chacocreations
Tuesday, July 8, 2008 7:41 am

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is it so wrong to want to make things with your own two hands?

having been an artsy/craftsy type person my whole life, i am absolutely loving the "buy handmade" movement! in a world that is full of corporate conglomerates and cookie cutter mass production, being in possession of something that was made with love and care and true originality is worth more than it's price!

i started creating again after going through a difficult time in my life... and i've not looked back since! i'm continually inspired by the world now, especially when i see what other artisans are making! jewelry making has always been a dream of mine, and it's lead me to explore other media as well. i've been able to donate my pieces to worthy causes, and may be entering my first juried show this fall.

tapping into my creative side has totally changed my life. not to mention my own personal style!!!!!

i am thrilled that handmade now has a solid presence! and i'm even more thrilled to be a supporter!!!!

keep on creating! i know i will!

xoxox muffin

MuffinTopDesigns, 35, property management/mental health, muffintopdesigns.etsy.com
Canada
Saturday, August 2, 2008 6:15 pm

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Heidi's handmade inspiration

Buying handmade helps other moms just like me stay home with their babies! It is much more personal to give a handmade gift.

Heidi, 28, hyenacart.com/callumscorner
MO
Saturday, September 20, 2008 6:52 am

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