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Abe Lincoln

“You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich...strengthen the weak by weakening the strong...bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift...lift the wage earner up by pulling the wage payer down...build character and courage by taking away people’s initiative and independence...help people permanently by doing for them, what they could and should do for themselves." -Abraham Lincoln

Friday, February 19, 2010

Question - What does handmade mean to you?


My question to you and please let me know your feeling on this, what does handmade mean to you?  Is it someone working at the kitchen table, garage, basement.  Spending hour making something, and then trying to sell it.  Or is handmade in China ok with you!!!!  When someone lists an item or say that it is handmade, I picture them making it, and not someone in China making it.  Yesterday while surfing the web I came across a site that was listed as handmade, and then I found something, and I know deep deep in my heart this was made in China.  How do I know?  I'm a basket weaver and can spot a basket made in China a mile away.  Yes all baskets along with glass blowing are made by the artist, and not a machine.  So yes the basket is handmade, but not in the USA.  I spend hours working on a basket, and do not get paid for my time.  I just make a little extra money from it.  I have lost all faith in this person.  To me buying a basket from China and adding some dry flowers is not handmade, and should not be advertised has such! Please check with the artist how they make their product, how long they spend working on it, and just some general questions.  Someone who has made something can and will answer all questions on it.  Please tell me how you feel on this question!!!!!!!    Thank you for helping me clear up this mess in my mind.

3 comments:

The Moonlit Stitch said...

Handmade in the U.S.A. I'll wear that button!
~ Lisa

Unknown said...

Thank you!

Jody said...

Rose,
I have several baskets that are handmade and the quality is unsurpassed to cheap imports. Quality crafters can't begin to compete with imports, not with the time factor involved, and cost of materials. I agree with Lisa.....Handmade in the USA is the only way I want to go...hopefully more will join us in that.