What ever happened to the people who wanted to buy quality handmade things? Do you remember when the artists who put their passion and love into everything they made were highly sought after? When everything they made could be counted on to last for years....typically these things lasted so long that they were passed down through the family. Of course you don't remember, that was a long time ago. Today, retail, wholesale, mass production, cheap labor and Big Box Stores as far as the eye can see have overshadowed even the most talented independent artist.
I have received many emails about how my handcrafted polymer clay bowls seem to be a bit expensive. I spend days coming up with the design, figuring out how to best create that design and then I typically have at least 8-12 hours of hands on work to create and finish that piece. Too expensive? Your kidding, right? I've seen numerous artists question whether the beautiful heirloom necklaces they crafted with their own hands are priced to high. Again, are you kidding me? I've found necklaces, paintings, pottery (and other such items) on Etsy that I would expect to see in a museum setting or private collection. Unfortunately, people seem to have turned away from buying quality and they have run straight towards acquiring quantity. Why invest $300 in a heirloom necklace piece on Etsy that will last forever, that you can pass down to your children and then onto their children when you can run on over to your local Big Box Store and pick up a $10 necklace made my some faceless 8 year old in an Indonesian sweatshop. Oh sure, the necklace is only gonna hold up for a couple of weeks before the links break or the metal finish leaves this really interesting green patina on your skin. But hey, what the hell...it's only $10. I can buy another one when it falls apart and another one and another one....
I know that I'm not the only person that appreciates quality handmade things. I've never been a big fan of mass produced goods. I would rather acquire something that an individual artist toiled over, something that they put their passion, love and ideas into. That is what has value to me.
If you've only worshiped at the alter of mass produced goods, take sometime right now and look around at what individual artists the world over are making. See how they took an idea or a dream and used their hands and hearts to make it a reality. See how that necklace, painting, photograph or even polymer clay piece makes you feel inside when you really look at it. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.
Then again, as a famous comic once said... Of course, that's just my opinion.....I could be wrong.
But I'm not.
I can knit a hat quick & fast, almost without looking & people snap them up but a sweater I can only sell to those who understand the value of hand knits, few want to pay $250 + supplies (minimum) when they can get a $20 sweater at Walmart
Posted by: elan | March 18, 2008 at 07:51 AM
Excellent post. I love that handmade things are unique, durable, and special--of course they should cost a little more. Your post also makes me think about just how much more trash we are creating with the mass-produced, cheap stuff that's going to fall apart shortly and end up in a landfill. There are so many good reasons to invest a little extra money up front in something handmade.
Posted by: Shannon | March 17, 2008 at 02:48 PM
Todd, have you took the handmade pledge?? http://www.buyhandmade.org/
Posted by: ButterflyChic | March 17, 2008 at 07:33 AM
Well put!
Posted by: Kelly Bedeian | March 17, 2008 at 01:03 AM
As artists, I think it is so easy to undervalue our work, especially knowing buyers will compare them to mass-produced items.
We have a few heirloom quality items that have been passed down for a couple of generations and they mean so much to us. I try to keep that in mind when making purchases, even if it means spending a little more on something that is handcrafted.
Posted by: Kinichi River | March 16, 2008 at 08:03 PM
No Todd, you're not wrong. I totally agree with you. I don't like the pricing part. Seems more difficult than creating! Your work is amazing & justified for your prices. I enjoyed reading every word of your blog. Yes, who could guess that behind a tough cop ( errr...you are tough, right? ) there lies a sensitive artist. - xue
PS: I'm the one who make yummy potstickers.
You can see them in my blog, posted Feb 8. http://xue-originals.com/
Posted by: Xue | March 16, 2008 at 11:18 AM