Julie Teeples asked:




No matter how hard I searched I couldn’t find a definitive answer to the never ending debate “Handmade vs. Handcrafted”. If you’re into any aspect of art or crafting I can almost guarantee you’ve had this discussion before one form or another. So what do the experts say?

The American Heritage Dictionary defines “Handmade” as; made or prepared by hand rather than by machine. It’s definition of “Handcrafted”; to fashion or make by hand.

Merriam Webster:

Handmade; made by hand or by a hand process. Handcrafted; to fashion by handicraft. Handicraft;

1: a: manual skill b: an occupation requiring skill with the hands

2: the articles fashioned by those engaged in handicraft.

Webster:

Handmade; made by hand or a hand process

Handcrafted; A work produced by hand labor

Almost every definition was identical. For fun I got out my old dusty Webster’s Seventh New Collegiate Dictionary published in 1963 to see what they had to say 45 years ago. I wasn’t surprised to see there wasn’t much of a difference. Handmade; made by hand or a hand process. Handcraft; to fashion by handicraft. Handicraft; 1a: manual skill. b: an occupation requiring a skill with the hands.

Lastly I tried to find a more modern definition so I tried Wikipedia. Handmade; means something made by hand, rather than by a machine.
Much to my surprise the word handcrafted came up with “No article title matches”. Tried “What is handcrafted” only to come up with a ton of ad’s for people describing handcrafted (as they see it) items for sale.

After several hours of research I gave up. I guess I’m going to have to give you my narrative of handcrafted vs. handmade and let you decide which classification to choose.

Since most agree that “handmade” is a process of making something by hand, or with your hands, does it mean entirely by hand or the process of putting something together using your hands? Reading the definitions I found, it means just about the same thing.

So you receive a jigsaw puzzle for your birthday and put it together using your hands. Did you handcraft the puzzle or was the puzzle handmade by you? What if you actually drew out a picture, cut it up into hundreds of pieces then put it back together again, is it handmade or handcrafted? You actually made the puzzle didn’t you?

In an article I wrote Art vs. Crafts I mentioned the definition for “Artisan”; “also called a “craftsman; skilled manual worker who uses tools and machinery in a particular craft” . An interesting interpretation on the subject.

If you were presented with a kit to make a bracelet and did, I believe your bracelet would fall under the category “handcrafted”. You used your skills and put together something that was pre-fabricated.

Using the same analogy if you were to use the same kit and produce something other than a bracelet, or enhanced the bracelet using the parts in a different manner than described or instructed, then you’d still have “handcrafted”. If you were to actually make and add additional parts or assemble the kit in a different manner, then I would say it’s still “handcrafted”.

I believe this because I purchase and use prefabricated items for the creation of the items I design jewelry or otherwise. I may purchase jewelry findings or artisan-made beads to enhance or complete a piece of jewelry I design and make. How I used the findings, where I put them, and the ability to design the jewelry around the findings I use, I call handcrafted. Is this bad, no. Either way, I used my hands and my mind (what matters most) in the creation of a particular item. And yes, I use a variety of tools to help me in the process.

As much as I’d hate to admit it, I think “handmade” should refer to items which are uniquely made from totally raw materials. If you raise the sheep, process the wool, then weave it by hand into a rug, I’d consider that “handmade”. But wait, you need tools to weave a rug don’t you? So does that knock it out of the handmade category? What if you use a machine in the process? But what if you built that machine yourself? Is your rug handmade or handcrafted? Oh my gosh, this is too much informational overload to process.

I work with natural materials in a different art medium; gourds They are a natural material. I grow them, dry them, clean them, sand, carve, inlay, embellish, paint and finish them in different manners. I still consider them handcrafted rather than handmade because I didn’t make the gourd itself. I simply used something and added to it using my hands and imaginative ability. I use my ability to craft something out of an existing item.

Is there an answer to the difference between handcrafted and handmade? I’ve considered which classification to add my own work to several times as I wrote this article. Which sounds better, handcrafted or handmade? Would it make a difference to you if you were given the opportunity to purchase an exact duplicate item; one marked handcrafted and the other handmade? Would you care so long as you knew someone used their hands to create the item? Does it boil down to keywords used in searching Google or Yahoo as to which you buy? Or are you going to purchase something you like? That’s the ultimate question.

The line I have to draw between handcrafted and handmade is the mass produced machine made items being classified as handmade only because someone had to turn the switch from on to off to start the process.

This debate will go on for years well beyond our time. It truly doesn’t matter. You’ll do a search for “handmade” first then proceed to “handcrafted” thinking you’ll get a better result or the exact opposite. Either way, what you’ll get is items which are made by someone using their hands. Someone who has put their heart and soul into the product hoping someone out there will appreciate their work and purchase the item.

Don’t limit yourself because of what I or anyone else says. Handcrafted, handmade is the same. If you like it, appreciate it, and it makes you happy, by all means purchase it. After all, it was made by hand for someone special; you.

Caffeinated Content

p asked:


I work as a manicurist and i make my own salt scrubs that i use on my clients feets and hand during their manicures. I also make Whipped shea butter and natural body oils. I sell some in the salon where i work, but i want more exposure and i want to get my name and proudct out there. Any suggestions.

Caffeinated Content

avsgirl4ever asked:


So, I have this handmade Lara Zano teddy bear, about 12 or 14 inches, in good condition. It’s dressed in a traveling dress, and has a suitcase that comes with it. It’s signed on it’s tush by Lara Zano. I got it from a thrift store a few years ago for $3, it looked like it’d be a collectible to me. So, was I right? is it worth anything?

Caffeinated Content

CookieKiss asked:


Which things would show more love and affection. And also which of the two are most valuable.

Things that are bought from shop or Things that are handmade for that person?

Caffeinated Content

Reyna E Flor Nadera asked:




Styles to match every taste, handmade leather bags are as varied as personalities. Consisting of unique creations and old standby favorites you are sure to find one to match all of your moods and outfits. Bags that define your uniqueness are often not ravaged by the change of fashion seasons, they are timeless. In the world of fashion what is more important to you the consumer, following the trends or having a favorite leather bag that weathers all the fashion storms?

Handmade leather bags are described by most as being completely handmade from the cutting of the leather to the sewing and finally the finished product. Top full-grain leather is soft, supple and long-lasting, while its cousin suede contains none of the outer full-grain leather so it maintains a level of softness that full-grain leather cannot. While suede is beautiful and soft it is very susceptible to staining, so care must be taken to avoid stains, as it is not washable.

Leather bags include shoulder bags that utilize shorter handles to allow the bag to sit on your shoulder, pouch bags that hang off the hip, messenger bags that include a long handle to go over the shoulder and hang down to the hip, and flap bags that have the shorter handles of a shoulder bag and have a flap for entry into the bag. The colors of leather are also as varied as the styles of construction, leather can be dyed to match nearly every color of the rainbow and then some.

Most women do not consider what type of bag would fit their body type, the majority look for what matches their outfit or personality. The shape of your bag is just as important as its color and construction quality. The rule of thumb relies on the bag being the opposite shape of your body. For those tall and thin body types a rounded bag would be flattering, while those who are more round would be best to consider a bag that is square or rectangular in shape. For those who might be lacking in height a bag that tricks the eye by adding length would be appropriate.

In conclusion a homemade hand bag is very fun to make and you will like what you have done afterwords. It is a lot better than spending two to five hundred dollars on one that you might not like and that might fall apart later. Remember you can make the hand bag or someone else can do it for you either way you come out cheaper.

Caffeinated Content

Hosea Lim asked:




Creative handmade craft ideas include some interesting techniques for friends and family. If you have a flair for handmade craft ideas, and know your way around it, then this is the right place for you. The handmade crafts are designed for those who have an inborn tendency to collects tiny bits of material that can be used in handmade craft ideas.

There are many handmade craft ideas that comfort for the elderly as the handcraft gifts have the power to cater to the psychological needs of the old who are often left unattended at the mercy of the harsh realities of life. This can also form an inspiration for many new handcrafted gift ideas that form an inspiration for those who love to make things that make a difference in the life’s of the others. It is also the basis of education that teaches fundamental skills and it can also be considered as a call to generosity for those who have time and heart to share the gift of handmade craft with others.

There are many handmade craft gift ideas that can form Christmas cards and gift cards. There are many other gifts that you can make and personalize for the elderly. You can choose from a variety of patterns of lap blankets that can be used to keep those aching legs warm during the winter. Then there are shoulder warmers for a walk in the winter wind that will keep your grandparents warm and secure. There are reading scarves and walker pockets that can be made for the elderly. It is not just the gift, but the thoughtfulness that counts and makes the gift more special.

If you are planning to make Christmas gift cards with gulling designs you have a wide variety of choice. You can use the gulling design to make Christmas wreath patterns on the cards and you can also use the same to write short messages or names on the cards. Handcraft gift ideas are very much in demand as they make the gift special by adding personalized touch to the gift. If you want to announce the arrival of your baby in a personalized way, you can resort to a plethora of handmade gift ideas that are easily available. Paper quilting is a very interesting technique that can be used to make cards for baby announcements.

This is a unique way of celebrating the new arrival from the baby from the stork. There are many people who are also adept at stitching and they can also add small pieces of the stitching to the card in order to give it a more personalized touch.

Caffeinated Content for WordPress

Transmission asked:


Does anyone have a recommendation for a retail store that will carry handmade items on consignment?

I’m looking for locations in the general Seattle area.

Caffeinated Content for WordPress

Mark K Samuel asked:




Handmade bags seem to be all the rage right now. Everywhere you look somebody has one slung over their shoulder or sitting on their laps. They’re often colorful, sometimes quirky, and always deeply individual on a personal level. In short, handmade bags are just great.

But what many people seem to be overlooking is that not every bag is a fashion accessory. People do use bags for other things like carting groceries, hording everything that just can’t fit in their purses, and even storing knitting. So the next time you see people rocking handmade bags, think twice about how you could use such a thing. Not only are you helping the environment and cutting your dependence on nasty plastic bags, you’re also showing your personality.

For instance, let us take a look at the versatility of handmade tote bags. Totes can be used for anything from bringing home the bacon to carrying all of your baby supplies-and who’s not going to ask you about your handmade tote bag when you pop over for coffee to show off the baby? Most of the store bought bags you find are canvas, ugly, and bland. Handmade tote bags on the other hand are anything but. You can find them made from just about anything ranging from dyed canvas to plastic and even burlap!

You can even find recycled bags that will do the trick. They’re usually made from industrial cast offs, reclaimed post-consumer product, or cloth but some are even made out of recycled bags-plastic ones like you’d find at the grocery store. Sure plastic bags aren’t exactly the greenest of the green but anything that keeps that plastic out of landfills is a step in the right direction. And if you’re crafty, you can even make your own recycled bags. Just have a look around the Internet and you can find dozens of sites dedicated to do-it-yourself recycled crafting.

Natural fiber or fabric handmade handbags really are best. They are strong, colorful, and can hold a lot of weight. They’re perfect for carrying all that extra “junk” that you can’t live without (but somehow can’t fit into a purse. Another advantage of fabric handmade bags is that they can be when they get grungy-and they will. You can also find them made from all sort of wild and fun fabric. In my opinion, handmade bags are really a necessity unless you want to shell out for a backpack.

Caffeinated Content for WordPress

laurali_love asked:


I have narrowed it down to four different names to put on the tag of my handmade baby items that are mainly blankets, bibs, clothes,etc. My name is Laurel so one of the choices includes my name but the other three have meaning to me as well…

Please pick your favorite out of the following:

1. Love, Laurel

2. Scubby

3. Scubber

4. Jujipuge & Skidwid

Thank you all in advance!!!
I’m from California! The other weird ones are nicknames for people close to me and the last one is the names of my cats haha

Caffeinated Content

Robin J asked:


Tried Ebay and Etsy but would like to find something more specific to handmade jewelry.

Caffeinated Content for WordPress