Supporting Local Artisans: How Shopping Locally Keeps Craftsmanship Alive

Is craftsmanship dead? Is skilled handiwork being irradicated by machine-manufactured goods? Read on to hear how you can help keep quality craft alive in your community.

Think back to the early 2000’s – when ‘shop local’ came onto the scene. 

The phase emerged as part of a broader movement aimed at encouraging consumers to support small businesses and local economies rather than relying on large, national chains or online retailers. It is no coincidence that this movement gained momentum during the economic downturn of the late 2000s – as communities looked for ways to bolster local businesses and keep money circulating within their own regions.

‘Shop local’ is on the same shelf with other phrases that have embedded themselves into our consumerism vernacular…fair trade, eco-friendly, zero waste, locally sourced etc. Unfortunately, some of these phrases have become a little like wallpaper – we see them so often that their meaning lose their potency!

We’d like to offer a fresh look at this movement – and maybe work to reinvigorate a love of shopping local. The holiday shopping season is around the corner, and we have an inspiring reason to spend your dollars thoughtfully and with greater purpose. Read on!

Keep craftsmanship alive! 

Our top reason for shopping local (because it is something particularly close to our hearts!) is that it can keep craftsmanship alive. Since the dawn of the industrial age, machines have slowly (and then not-so-slowly) replaced skilled handiwork. Our world has become increasingly more digital, and our general skill sets have shifted from handiwork to digital work. There have been massive benefits to this shift, but there have also been some sad losses.

Consider these skilled crafts and traditions:

• Weaving. Many communities are losing their craft traditions. Hand-weaving, hand-dyeing, and hand-embroidering are increasingly being replaced by machine-made textiles. 

• Metalwork. Modern mass production and machine-made metalwork have reduced the demand for blacksmithing. 

• Woodworking. Traditional woodworking techniques such as hand-carving and joinery, are less commonly practiced today, as machine-manufactured furniture and fixtures are outproducing, out-pricing, and can be shipped to your home flat-packed.

• Pottery. While pottery and ceramics continue to be practiced, many production methods have shifted to machine-based processes. Hand-thrown pottery and hand-painted ceramics face competition from mass-produced alternatives.

• Leatherwork. Handcrafted leather goods, such as bespoke footwear and accessories, are being overshadowed by machine-manufactured products. Traditional leatherworking techniques, including hand-stitching and tooling, are becoming increasingly rare.

• Soapmaking. Despite the rich and ancient history and unique benefits, home soap making is a threatened skill, and many of its time-honored techniques at risk of being lost and overshadowed by commercially manufactured body care products.

• Glassblowing. Although still practiced, traditional glassblowing faces competition from machine-produced glassware. The intricate, hand-blown techniques used to create unique glass pieces are less common in commercial production.

• Bookbinding. Traditional bookbinding methods, including hand-sewing and custom covers, are less frequently used as machine binding becomes the norm for mass-produced books. Handcrafted bookbinding is now often seen as a specialty skill.

And we didn’t even name them all! Think of carving, casting, knitting, crocheting, jewelry-making, rug and tapestry making etc. Humans have brilliantly and beautifully crafted things throughout time – and although our technological age has made advances available to us, it has also decreased our hand skills.

Sure, there are plenty of folks out there that love the look of machine-made objects. The modern industrial or contemporary style certainly embraces those things! But the next time you shop at big box stores, you may notice that there are goods that have been machine-produced to look old, worn, or handmade. Isn’t that interesting? So many of us gravitate towards things that aren’t slick, perfect, or indestructible. There is something about organic shapes, materials, fragility, imperfection, and the human touch. 

While many of these named skills are being lost or diminished, there is also a resurgence of interest in artisanal and handcrafted work. Some makers and craftsmen continue to preserve and celebrate these traditional skills, often catering to those who value the quality and uniqueness of handmade items. (Our hands are raised high on this one!) 

When you choose to shop locally, to shop handmade – you are playing a part in keeping skilled handicraft alive in your community. And we think that is pretty magical. 

Heading into the holiday season, here are some ways to intentionally shop local handmade and be inspired:

1. Save the Date. Mark your Calendar for the Made Market in your city! (Or find a market happening in a city near you, and make it a trip!)
2. Seek out Skills. Gain some handi-skills yourself! Sign up for a wheel throwing, soap making, or knitting workshop in your area. This is not only a great way to de-stress and utilize different parts of your brain, it is an incredible way to gain new skills, and support local makers businesses.
3. Save up. Start setting aside some extra cash each week for holiday handmade shopping. Traditionally crafted items may have a bigger price tag – and it is for good reason. You’re buying one-of-a-kind, handcrafted items that are uniquely human! 
4. Champion Handmade. Be a champion of handmade things. When you place your handmade pottery on a shelf for all to see, you give it a place of honor in your home. Others may enjoy those beautiful items and seek out that artisan for goods for their own homes.
5. Maintain your Handmade. Care for your handmade objects by keeping up with proper maintenance…handwashing, oiling, or polishing. Repair items when they break!
6. Engage Online. Find some of your favorite handmade makers online, or on social media, and engage with their content! It’s a simple but effective way to increase their social media status. (You might even get early access to some holiday deals or limited edition items.)

We have released the dates for our holiday markets, find them here! We cannot wait to see you there – let’s keep craftsmanship alive in your community!