There’s something so wonderfully intimate about a handcrafted item. The aura which surrounds it calls us to admire, to handle, to caress. In each handmade necklace, handbound book, or handknitted scarf there is a sense of integrity: a genuine intention to create and to connect. In this day and age, in which so much of our time is invested in cultivating an online presence, communicating virtually through a variety of technological interfaces, creating intangible products out of bytes and ether, it could be expected that the skills to produce the handmade, and the demands to purchase it, would erode and become lost.
However, it would appear that the exact opposite has occurred; the desire to work with metal, paper, yarn, leather, and silk in order to create is irrepressible. The desire to obtain these small pieces, these investments of time, energy and imagination remains unabated.
So, in order to indulge my own love of the handmade, I have begun a new Tumblr, Amy Loves Etsy. Here’s the description from the site:
Consider this Tumblr a magpie’s stash of shinies: a nest full of intricate trinkets and quirky curiosities. Or, as Julie Andrews sang so efferevescently in The Sound of Music, these are a few of my favourite things.
I do hope you like it and either find some beautiful new little luxury to treat yourself, or possibly the inspiration for creating your own. As always, I look forward to hearing what you think!
Where are your favourite haunts for finding the handcrafted and homemade? What do you think makes the handmade item so covetable? How do you satisfy your own need to create the handmade?
Oh, and if you have an Etsy shop, please do feel free to leave a link along with your comment.
Wee treats:
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I love handmade jewelry! And because of this little passion of mine, I found out about etsy. Fellow blogger Ali (http://ali2africa.blogspot.com/) makes some amazing pieces, I think you should take a look when you have the time
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Lovely! One of the things we make sure we always see on our world travels are the crafts people and handmade crafts. I happen to be writing a blog post now about the lacemaking lady and rough hewn pottery that we saw and bought in Galicia, Spain. Your knitting picture reminded me of all the knitters we saw in Sweden. They get together in charming cafes, snuggle by the fire in cold weather and knit and chat together.
I think we just need to watch and follow children to see how much “making” and creativity is a need for us all. We are always drawing or making something! Good for the soul!
Amy,
I love this post.
I think you’re spot on when you mention connection. With hand-crafted, home-made and home-grown items there is a sense of connection with the person who created them. The creator is present in the creation, they have given some of their soul in the act of making.
Alastair McIntosh has some brilliant things to say about this in his book Soil and Soul, which I suspect that being Scottish and curious, you may well have read.
Lewis Hyde’s book, The Gift, on gift economy and the artistic act is also a great read.
David
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Great post Amy, you know already just how much I agree with you about handcrafted artisanal items. I loved the words that you used to describe them - intimate, integrity, intricate, irrepressible, investments of time, imagination, inspiration and covetable. Thanks for the link to my “Hands On” post. Have a really creative day!
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Yeah! Thanks for these links. I thought I was the only one who wonders through Etsy in a blissful state of being. And I didn’t realize I could create a favorites page (I’m putting this on my to do list). Thanks!!
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Oh, Amy. I love the Tumblr. I haven’t told you how much I like your site (I’ve been lurking, but not commenting). How do I satisfy my own needs to create? There was Share a Square, and now The Good Medicine Project. I can make things and give them to children with cancer. At least I get to make them…
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I love your blog! Its magnificent. I had a look at Etsy myself and I totally agree. Don’t stop putting up posts like this. I’ll always love your blog Amy it is so beautiful.
Amy, I must admit I am a bit of a dork when it comes to handmade crafts. When I saw your title I thought it was cute and a play on words. Had no idea about Etsy. LOL! I do appreciate handmade items from soaps and candles to bowls, containers and clothing. I believe what I love is the sense of connection to the culture. The handmade item reflects the community in which it was made and often provides a connection to the past. Thanks Amy for sharing Etsy with us here.