Why buy handmade?

I took the pledge and was number 31594 on the list! This gift-giving season (or anytime) is a great time to give handmade items. Why?

It's good for people (i.e. your community), good for the environment and the quality is usually better. You can even buy on-line at a site like:

http://www.etsy.com/

So get out there... find a store that sells works from local artisans and support it with your purchasing dollars. Buy something from a church bazaar, can you ever have too many doilies? Ask at your local yarn store for someone that can knit custom sweaters or socks (like these awesome Drupal ones). Better yet, investigate your local arts scene to find items you never knew existed. One-of-a-kind makes a great gift.

Check out the http://www.buyhandmade.org website for a growing list of people that have pledged to buy handmade items!

Updates:
2008/12/04: I stumbled on a link for a store that looks cool. Check out RareFunk at 8 Duke St. E in Kitchener. I've never been there, but with a name like that, how could it not be a great place!?

2008/12/10: The Waterloo Chronicle this week had a short article on the Stitch n Kitsch group. This looks interesting. Quite a few of the members sell their wares on-line at Etsy as well.

2008/12/11: If you're in Toronto, you could attend the "City of Craft" show on Dec 13, 2008. Looks like they'll have lots of interesting vendors.