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The Price of Handmade
NEWSLETTER
2/5/20262 min read
Last week my best friend told me that she spent $77 on a handmade mug. She started following an artist on Instagram, and not too many weeks later she was buying a handmade mug.
She showed me a picture of it and said she was so excited for it to come, but she also spent time justifying her decision to spend that much money on a mug.
If you’re like me and her, you were raised with this idea of “getting the best deal”. You need to make sure you’re not being taken advantage of. Don’t spend $40 on something, when you could get the same thing for $25. Over spending is something idiots do. If you over spend, you’re not managing your money well and congratulations, you’re an idiot.
This whole idea is based on winners and losers. An idea of limited resources where some people come out ahead and some behind. And you don’t want to be in the group that comes out behind.
Even now, I struggle with this idea. As someone who wholeheartedly believes in supporting small businesses and local artists, as someone who OWNS HER OWN HANDMADE BUSINESS, I still struggle to escape this narrative in my mind.
But when I allow myself to hear my actual beliefs, and not the brainwashing pumped into me in the early aughts, I know I don’t have to feel like a chump for not getting the “best deal”.
There is no best deal. There are no winners and losers. In so many of these transactions, with small artists, there are winners and winners.
My friend bought a mug and she won:
She got a mug she’s going to love pulling out of the cabinet every day.
She got a mug that is well made and created with a lot of intention.
She got to support a small artist.
The artist won too:
The artist's work is being loved and appreciated.
The artist was able to price and sell her work at a sustainable price, so she can continue her business.
Sounds like spending $77 was able to facilitate something really beautiful for both people involved.
Small artists like me love creating pieces for people. When you buy a piece from us, we actually only win if you do too. If you buy a piece, but don't use it and don't love it, we haven't become "the winner" by making a sale. We're bummed that our art missed the mark or didn't connect for you. On the flip side, if you feel special or seen when using our art, then we feel seen and special too.
Next time you spend “too much” on something thoughtfully made by another human, before you ridicule yourself for spending that money, I’d wonder, have you not only just created a worthwhile experience for yourself, but also for an artist?
