Why give something handmade?
As an artist and craftswoman, I am very aware of the vast difference between giving something handmade and giving something mass-produced.
And I completely understand that, if you're not an artist or not very familiar with this world, you might not see anything particularly different between giving handcrafted gifts or buying something in a large store.
For that very reason, in this section I would like to share my personal experience , both buying and creating handicrafts, so that you can feel, even if only a little, what made me fall in love with handmade things and what awakened in me the desire to start creating them myself.
1- Giving handcrafted gifts is an experience
From the moment you decide to buy it, through the packaging and even the business card or the interaction with the artist, everything is part of an experience in itself , both for the buyer and the recipient of the gift.
Buying crafts means strolling through the Artist Alley at your favorite event, stepping into that unique and special local shop, or discovering a magical website that the artist nurtures and cherishes for hours every day.
For me, it's a great, rewarding experience, full of dopamine and personalized attention.
The experience of receiving a gift or a handcrafted order is pure magic .
We artists usually prepare our packages with great care, so that even seeing them in the mailbox or holding them for the first time feels special. From thoughtful packaging to small surprise gifts, you never know what wonderful extras you'll find in an art or craft order.
I like to think that if we could go to Diagon Alley from Harry Potter , the products we would buy there would be presented in a very similar way.
2-Something original and difficult to repeat.
There may be similar pieces, but when you buy handcrafted items it's almost impossible to find two that are exactly alike .
And not only because of the differences between artists, but because each handmade piece has its own marks, shapes and small nuances that make it unique and unrepeatable .
In my case, I don't usually repeat my figures unless someone specifically asks me to or a piece is very successful (and even then, I only make a few more).
The main reason is simple: they never turn out exactly the same. That's why I always tell my clients that if they like a figure, they shouldn't let it get away, because that particular piece will never be made again .
On the other hand, giving handcrafted gifts is also a way to make a difference compared to other gifts.
Not only because of its originality, but also because you take with you a story to tell the person who receives it.
For example:
"You know? This figure was made entirely by hand by a girl. I discovered her while strolling through a witches' market, and she told me that she creates them with the intention that they accompany and bring luck to whoever owns them."
In the end, it's not just a gift.
It's a story, a memory... and an experience that stays with you. ^-^
3-Exchange of energy and feeling of connection.
It's happened to me several times—and not just to me, I've seen it in some of my clients too—that very special feeling when you see a piece of art that seems to shout at you:
“I’m made for you! Take me with you!”
In my case, there are times when, upon seeing an illustration or a piece of craftsmanship, I feel something difficult to explain. Sometimes I even get goosebumps.
I know it might sound strange, but for me it makes it clear that the pieces also carry the energy of the person who creates them , and that… that's almost magic, don't you think?
Something very similar happens with my customers. Sometimes someone will walk past my stand several times and always stop to look at the same piece. Usually, in the end, they end up buying it.
Because the connection is there, and it's very difficult to ignore.
There is one case that, to this day, I still remember with great affection.
An elderly woman had come to a market simply to accompany her grandchildren. It was a science fiction-themed event, and I was there with my stall.
The lady passed by my stand several times, always stopping in front of the same piece: a goblin sculpted on a slice of wood, intended to hang on the wall.
At first I had no intention of buying it, but finally he stopped and said to me:
“I don’t know why, but I’m going to take it. For some reason, I really liked it. I collect fairies, and this doesn’t suit me at all; I don’t even know where I’m going to put it… but I love it.”
And there I understood, once again, that some pieces are not chosen with the head, but with something much deeper.
"This was the piece the lady took."
4-You support someone else's dreams.
Every artist starts for their own reasons, but the vast majority of us share something in common: fear and many doubts , especially at the beginning.
What if nobody likes me? What if I'm not good enough for this? What if I'm not enough?
To dedicate oneself to art, one must be brave. Brave to face the challenges of running one's own business, but above all, brave to fight one's own inner demons.
Once you decide to start, I can assure you it's not easy. At first, frustration and comparisons with other artists are commonplace, and not everyone can cope with all of that.
In fact, it's very likely that if you buy an artist's work at a market, you won't see them again for a year. Many fall by the wayside.
That's why buying handicrafts—or art in general—is a huge help.
It's not just about a sale or money.
It's a hug for all that invisible effort.
It's a word of encouragement on the days when I've wanted to give up on everything.
It's a medal for creativity.
And, above all, it is a way of contributing to ensuring that art does not disappear, because a world without art would be a very gray place.
If you've made it this far, thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading.
If you'd like, you can leave me a comment with your opinion; I'd be happy to read it.
A hug,
See you on the next adventure! ✨
