Handmade

You are currently browsing articles tagged Handmade.

The Storque

July 15, 2008 in Wren | 5 comments

Etsy is simply the best! Firstly, they offered me an opportunity to make a living out of my passion for fabric, design and style and now they have published my story.

The Storque is a place where the etsy team (with special thanks to Mary who edited and published my story) write about things that are of interest and relevance to the craft life.

I often spend a whole hour browsing through the site. My favourite current articles are those from the ‘Art of Pricing’ which ties into my post about the Value of Handmade. I also love the Handmade stories section….oohhh I now realize I cannot decide. I simply love the WHOLE Storque!

What is the ‘value’ of handmade?

June 30, 2008 in Conversational | 10 comments

I recently read a forum post on pricing handmade goods and started wondering “why should a person buy handmade?” You could say it is because handmade is:

- Unique and/or individual

- Well-made and/or high quality

- A high level of innovation

- Fair labour practices

- Traditional skills are used

However, I disagree that these are good enough reasons. Go and wander through top-end shops and you will find products that match all of these criteria.

I think that the main motivation that people buy handmade goods is for the story. But be careful because you can find a story in exclusive boutiques too. You can go shopping with a friend and talk about how elegantly the items are layed out, what the packaging is like, how you decided on your purchase…that is a story too. However, what is the ‘value’ behind the story? This is where I feel handmade wins hands-down.

When you decide to buy handmade you are a part of the whole story and not just a consumer, a number on a sales chart. For example: You walk along the street and you see a man carving a wooden sculpture. You stop and watch him in amazement. You see that in front of him are a few pieces for sale. You buy one of these. Why? Because when you get back home you have a story that is more precious to you than anything you could ‘buy’: you met the man himself, you saw him carve, you have an experience and this sculpture, the one you bought, reminds you of this precious moment.

That is why you buy handmade. You know the maker and the story behind your product. You know where it came from and you were a part of that. Your story does not begin after you have purchased the product.

The story of handmade has value.

The Wren BIG TOWN BAG has arrived!!

April 7, 2008 in Wren | 3 comments

I am both proud and excited to present to you the new BIG TOWN WREN BAG!

It is 30% bigger than the Small Town Wren Bag (the one you are familiar with), the inside zip is bigger and it includes a pen and notepad pocket which doubles up as a wallet pocket.

You can fit just about anything into the BIG TOWN BAG including your 15″ laptop, 1litre water bottle, reading book(s), A4 notepad and magazines. It can also double up as a beach and tog bag fitting a towel and other gear in. I also hear it can serve as a good diaper bag….

The Wren Big Town Bag is exactly the same in design as the Wren Small Town Bag. Each one is completely unique and is either made from the South African fabric Shweshwe or from the ends of English linen and cotton fabric rolls.

There is a hidden and lined exterior pocket which is perfect for your ipod, cellphone, keys or coins. The interior is fused and lined in a complimentary colour to the fabric exterior design.

There are 4 pockets inside: On one side there is a cellphone, notepad/wallet and pen pocket and on the other side there is a 8-10″ zip in a complimentary colour.

Each bag, like the Small Town Bag, comes with a special hand-picked and died French perfumed lavender pouch from Franschoek in South Africa. This is perfect for keeping your bag or draws smelling great.

The bag is closed by two hidden magnets which are very strong but will NOT cause your cellphone, laptop or any other electrical objects any damage.

The bag is approximately 16″x4″ at the bottom and 13″ high. The shoulder straps are approximately 25″.

Once again, the Wren Big Town Bag is supremely crafted by hand in and by South African(s). Great care is taken to ensure that it is of the highest quality standards so that it can last you a long long time.

Also, remember that the Wren Big Town Bag has special packaging. It is wrapped in a hand-made map of South Africa paper-bag.