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.

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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.

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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.

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Sarah Gasu asked:




Receiving handmade party invitations is as exciting for little party guests as it is for us bigger ones. When we receive a wedding invite in the mail with its beautiful layers of paper and decorative ribbons and buckles, we just know how romantic and classy that wedding will be. For children the feelings are just the same; a fun, interactive invitation setting the mood for the party and really building excitement for the big day that is coming.

Of course, making your invites by hand takes some effort, but as with many things the gift is also in the giving. It may take some time to put together such special invites, but the beaming smile on your child’s face as he or she hands them out to their grateful and completely impressed little friends is worth every fiddly sticky moment.

So, what is the secret to designing your own handmade party invitations? The answer is simple, let nature and the theme of the party inspire you.

I once had the joy of organizing a fairy party for an 8 year old girl whose mother is as inspired by fairies as I am. We came up with some wonderful ways to create the atmosphere of a fairy glen in her home and so naturally she wanted her invitations reflect that theme and to really create a sense of enchantment. The potential ways to say enchanting with fairy parties are many but as it was autumn the idea that came to mind seemed obvious. At that time of year beautiful leaves are abundant and so after collecting suitable ones from a nearby park it was simply a case of writing the invitation on the leaf with a fountain pen in tiny fairyesque handwriting. The effect was indeed enchanting.

Collecting items to use for handmade party invitations is not only unique and creative but also completely free. Large scallop shells work wonderfully for a beach or mermaid party and can easily be painted or simply written on with a marker pen. Strips of bark or tropical green leaves are perfect for a jungle party, even a coconut, whilst not free unless you live in tropical climes, can be used to contain an invitation to a tropical luau.

One of the most fun invitation activities I ever embarked on with my own daughter was creating something unique for a beach party. We’d already done a message in a bottle for her Pirate Party the previous year, and had used a variety of shells for a huge Hawaiian Luau for my husband’s fortieth, so I wanted to try something new. The idea came to me as we were at the beach and I watched kids writing messages in the sand. Bingo! We collected a variety of beach treasures, shells, weed, driftwood and frosted glass. Then we wrote our invitation in the sand, scattered the results of our beach combing efforts artistically around the message and simply photographed it. The result was lovely. The photos were printed at home on the computer and then the rest of the invitation details printed on some nice card stock and glued to the back.

So, next time you’re throwing a party, think for a moment. Sure you could send out the usual paper invitations, and there truly are some beautiful ones on the market today, but why not have a go at making them yourself, let nature be your guide, the cost is negligent, but the fun you’ll have collecting and constructing the invites with your child will be a memory that will last forever.

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Marianne Navarro asked:




Crafting handmade bracelets and anklets is an alternative way to update your wardrobe. Here are some of the things you need to know when you make your own fashion accessories.

- The materials you will need in making handmade bracelets and anklets are: thread or string (this can be made from cloth or nylon), scissors, beads, charms and tape measure.

- You can find beads from accessory or craft stores. There are types of beads in the market, you can choose according to material, budget and even design. There are beads made from wood, plastic, glass, stones, all the things you can think that can be included in a handmade bracelet are available. You can even use small toys.

- The first thing you need to do is to come up with a design. The internet is a source of inspiration for making handmade bracelets. This will also apply to making handmade anklets. Use the net and look for magazines to get tons of inspiration.

- Once you are able to come up with a design, get tape measure and get the width of your ankle and wrist. It’s up to you if you want to put an allowance. Just make sure that your handmade bracelet or handmade anklet will fit.

-Now that you have your beads, run the string into the hole of the beads. Make sure you follow the designs. At first, you may get confused with the designs, but as soon as you get used to it, you will realize that making handmade bracelets or handmade anklets are not that difficult at all.

- Once you are done, you can tie a knot at both sides to prevent the beads from falling out. Then try your creation first. Check if the bracelet or the anklet fits you well. You can have as many handmade bracelets and handmade anklets if you want. All you need is to come up with a design.

-Your handmade creations are good ideas for gifts. If you want to save money and you need to give someone a gift, why not make one? Just make sure to put an allowance on the string. All you need to worry about is where to buy a nice gift wrapper. But if you are creative enough, you can coordinate the design of your packaging with your creation!

- Handmade accessories are also good ways to earn money. You can make your own creations and sell it first among your friends. Put the handmade bracelets and anklets in a good-looking pouch. Another way to earn money is to sell your wares online. Simply use a good digital camera to capture your creations and upload the photos online.

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Hosea Lim asked:




There are many handmade craft ideas that take you on an inspiring journey into the world of paper crafting. There are many stylish handmade craft ideas that are based on an exquisite collection of beautiful handmade paper gifts, which are unlike any, you have ever seen before. Each and every idea is created for a particular type of person, such as a traveler, a cook or a girlfriend.

There are many projects with handmade craft ideas that include customized journals, gift books, stylish stationary supplies, paper flowers, paper jewelry, gift tags and many more. These are based on simple techniques, as well as expert tips that will take your passion for creating handmade craft with paper to the next level. Business card holder is an essential requirement for all business executives.

You can make one of your own, and display it on your front desk. All that is required is decorative paper elastic chord and glue stick. There are a plethora of office supplies that can be created from an old book. If you are an ardent traveler, you can create a perfect handmade journal to meet your traveling needs and requirements. While traveling, most people are carrying important documents with them.

How about some stylish, handmade craft ideas, with document holder that are made from scrap and stylish paper, waxed string, hook and loop tape? One can also create personalized luggage tags with colored paper, plain colored card stock, and post and screw fastener. If you like to cook but are having a hard time managing your recipes, then you can create a recipe management clipboard that is very useful in the kitchen.

All that is required here is a creative idea with some small clipboards and decorative paper. One can also create a kitchen journal with an in fold portfolio and some black recipe cards. The handmade craft ideas are a plenty for everybody, as they can choose from French flower buckets and a variety of paper flowers to decorate their home or classroom. One can also create gift tags with handmade craft ideas for their friends and family.

This will add a personalized and stylish touch to your birthday gift. Some of the other stylish handmade craft ideas include gift garlands that can be creatively made from decorative paper and fibers. The gift garlands are very attractive and they are also very cost effective. The best part is that the gift garlands can also be stored for reuse. You can also show your sentiments, by creating word garlands that have been created using pebbles, ribbon twines or fibers, rub on letters and much more. One can also be creative and use dye cut letters with paper flowers as decorations in the handmade craft ideas.

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Marianne Navarro asked:




Handmade miniature surfboards are great pieces to display around your home. You can have them in a glass case or you can just let them stand on a table. Either way, these tiny pieces will surely wow your guests.

Handmade mini surfboards also make fantastic souvenirs. You can buy several pieces whenever you go on for a summer vacation at the beach. They will remind you of the fun times you have had. Also, they can serve as favors. You can search for cheap miniature surfboards to be given away as party favors. You can even turn some into key chains and refrigerator magnets. You just have to add small magnets and key rings.

In addition, you can give handmade mini surfboards as gifts. Handmade miniature surfboards are usually made of wood, fiberglass, and plastic. Some unique pieces are also made of various types of stones. If your friend or family member loves surfing, you can give him a set of these mini surfboards. You can search in surf shops or even on the Internet. Actually, you will find more selections online. Handmade miniature surfboards come in a variety of colors, shapes, sizes, and designs. Of course, their prices can range from cheap to expensive too. Collectors’ items, especially, are very expensive. They can range from a few hundred dollars to even a thousand dollars.

Replica miniature surfboards also make great gifts, especially to the avid surfer. They are designed to look exactly like their actual counterparts. They are often airbrushed to provide that genuine feel. Moreover, replica mini surfboards can also serve as competition trophies for sponsors and clubs. They can be utilized as displays for board manufacturers and surf shops, as well. Anyway, you can also have the handmade mini surfboards customized. This means that you can choose the style, the size, the shape, the color, and even the material to be used. You can even request to add a special message on the miniature surfboard. Handmade miniature surfboards are really wonderful works of art.

If you want to get the most of your money, consider buying from reputable artisans. Do some research and read unbiased reviews. You can also visit the websites of sellers offering handmade miniature surfboards. Make sure to read the comments and feedbacks of previous buyers. This way, you will get an idea about the quality of products and services. Also, do not forget to read the FAQ page as well as the terms of sales. You may also want to know about shipping charges. Before you finalize your order, it is also advisable that you double check the item. Buying through the Internet leaves you no choice but to rely on photos, descriptions, and reviews.

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Judi Harris asked:




What has always been a little girl’s first best friend? The rag doll of course. In just about any era you can picture a little girl in two pigtails, wearing a Sunday dress skipping along the sidewalk. What’s that she’s swinging by her side in her hand? Her handmade rag doll of course.

From times gone by when people made their own clothes, the leftover fabric or scraps of fabric did not go to waste. Most of the scrap fabric was used to stuff a large quilt or pillow or it was used to make an apron. But the scraps from those projects were often used to make a child’s doll. A well deserved child would often get a rag doll as a gift perhaps once or twice in her childhood life.

The rag dolls were not sewn and did not have a face or hair or clothes like you see in rag dolls today. The first rag dolls were scraps of fabric rolled together and then knotted together to form legs, arms, and a body; hence the rag doll.

In later years rag dolls were made from muslin fabric which is a thin white or off-white color 100% cotton fabric. They were very plain and simple with stuffed arms, legs, body, and head. But still, they had no face or hair. Soon people began to put hair, clothes, and faces on the rag dolls.

When people today hear “Rag Doll” they immediately think of the every so popular “Raggedy Ann” doll which was invented in 1915. She had brown hair made from yarn, button eyes, and a diamond nose. Fabric dolls were made long before “Raggedy Ann” was every invented.

Rag dolls today, just as rag dolls from many years ago, are still a big part in a little girl’s life. The fabric doll can be carried around, patched up if she rips, change her dress if it’s dirty, and the dolls bring pleasure and enjoyment to little girls in every part of the world.

Today, a lot of people collect raggedy dolls of years gone by, and many people collect raggedy dolls made by artist of today of various different kinds of fabric dolls. Rag dolls can be made quit easily today. Simply cut out legs, arms, body, and head. Sew them, stuff them, and sew the body parts together. Then one can design a dress and bloomers to the doll. Add hair and a face, and you’ve got yourself a rag doll. Doll patterns can be found by the thousands in many different sizes, shapes, and colors – just like people.

Best Stitches,

Judi Harris

Crafts of Chadds Ford

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Hosea Lim asked:




Do you have an inner voice, a gentle whisper quietly nudging you to listen? What does it say? Does it tell you to begin with the creative handmade craft ideas that you have been putting off. Or does it tell you to dream bigger or perhaps start your own creative handmade craft ideas business venture? Maybe it is encouraging you to start writing a book on handmade craft ideas.

Or do you want to travel to exotic places around the world and learn many new ideas. The voice maybe just a whisper, a small voice that is embedded inside the pockets of your heart, but really it is your life calling out to you. These are the whispers of our life that beckon us to take notice, to nurture their message and to discover our own innate potential.

Whether they are quietly nudging us from time to time with long periods of busy silence in between, or annoying us with their persistence, their presence is important and meaningful. We must listen to the voice within us that want further expression in our lives we must make the unconscious conscious and acknowledge our dreams, our creativity, our heart and your lives.

There are many handmade craft ideas that let you express the whispers from your heart and you will automatically start listening to the language of your yearnings, buried dreams that come out to the real world and the creative joy explodes into your life. The same creative joy is possible for you. The creative handmade craft ideas bring hope and inspire you to listen to your life’s callings and give you a cause to rediscover your dreams and they are real and possible.

There are many online handmade craft ideas communities that are similar to other social networking websites, except that it is created exclusively for their crafters coming from around the globe. There are many scrap booking, jewelry, knitting, collage and much more.

These members can create their own pages and connect with other crafters through comments and forums, and even blog about their latest creations. There are also many online resources that offer supplies for the various handmade craft ideas that are difficult to find in the real world. One can also learn from other experiences as they have traveled through the journey of art making that is very inspiring and serves as a guiding light for most entrepreneurs. The true secret of handmade craft is the creative eye that can see the extraordinary in the ordinary materials.

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Marianne Navarro asked:




Handmade ball gown wedding dresses are very popular. These gowns are inspired by fairy tales. Usually, they are made from expensive fabrics; but the most commonly used are satin and lace. The gown’s skirt reaches to the ankles of the wearer or to the floor. The dress itself fits tightly against the torso, and it usually has a low neckline. It also blooms out into a very full skirt. Equally, traditional handmade ball gown wedding dresses have strapless necklines and tons of sparkling embellishments. Gloves as well as shawls are also often worn. There are some women, however, who choose to wear petticoats, silhouettes, organza, and crinolines with these dresses.

Then again, before you purchase a handmade ball gown, you need to consider a few important factors first. For instance, if you are quite short, you might not be able to properly balance it so it might not be the best choice of attire for you. Also, if you are fat, you will need a wider gown and this will only make you look odd. On the other hand, if you are slim, you can effectively highlight your waist by wearing the right handmade ball gown. You will also look good in this wedding gown if you have large breasts. Moreover, you need to consider the venue and the weather. Obviously, you can’t have your wedding outdoors if it is raining; and you have to check the width of the aisles in the church. You also have to think of the reception. Will the gown permit you to move around and dance with ease?

In addition, you may want to choose a handmade ball gown with an interesting neckline. This will make you look fabulous and sophisticated. It will be more dramatic if you wear a dazzling pair of diamond earrings or a necklace with it. It is also recommended that you wear your hair in a bun or with crystal hairpins. You may wear a tiara to look like a princess bride. Nonetheless, a layered skirt is something that almost every bride wants. A handmade ball gown wedding dress with fantastic layers in crisp fabrics such as gazar will make you unique. With this contemporary style, you need complementing accessories and shoes. Dancing shoes are ideal, so you may wear ballet flats or high heels.

When shopping for a handmade ball gown, you need to consider your budget. These dresses can be very costly. Stick with your spending limit to avoid financial problems. Search around for the perfect handmade ball gown wedding dress. You will find various types in both offline and online stores. You just have to remember to only deal with reputable sellers. Furthermore, make sure that you inspect every detail of the gown.

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