Five Simple Ways to Support Handmade

One of the most wonderful things, that we never imagined when we started this blog almost five years ago, was the amazing people we would meet and make friends with along the way. It is something we never expected and is the thing that keeps us going after all this time. We find it hard to go a week without discovering a new maker or designer or illustrator crush.

For us though it is not just about buying awesome things, it is about supporting our friends old and new, supporting talented individuals who are putting themselves out there and creating careers for themselves. Supporting our local economy, supporting British design and home grown creatives. We are here to tell you how you can start to do the same.

1. Shop local, it supports the economy. Take a look around your local shops and galleries, you may be surprised at what you can find not far from your door. Check out local fairs and markets, you will often find really amazing quality and service, with people who are a part of your community creating amazing products. By shopping with them you are getting better value for money and most likely helping the environment by reducing your carbon foot print and waste by buying higher quality products.

2. Local is not the only way to make your support known in the handmade community, online marketplaces like Etsy, Folksy, Not on the High Street and shortly Look Lane are a great place to find bespoke gifts and unique products.

3. Instagram has become an amazing showcase for brands of all size, but it is particularly great for finding small boutique brands and connecting with those that run them, I cannot tell you how many products I have bought from designers I have found on Instagram. Following accounts like Renegade and Etsy will introduce you to lots of new makers all over the world.  If Instagram isn't your thing, try Facebook or Twitter, most makers will be on at least one of these platforms.

4. When you find makers you like buying their product is not enough! Sharing your finds on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook or even just with your friends will in turn help you find more makers and help them to spread their message further than they can alone. Word of mouth is still a powerful tool, especially in this digital age. If you find something you like shout about it, to everyone you know!

5. We are not all made of money so if buying all your products from designer makers isn't an option but you still want to support the handmade community why not check out what you can do to help. Websites and initiatives like UK Handmade, Small Business Saturday or the Just a card campaign have been instrumental in bringing the issues effecting independent businesses to the fore front of peoples attentions. There may be events or initiatives in your local area that could use volunteers. If you have accounting skills, offer some lower rates for independent traders or if you are in marketing offer to run a workshop. If you don't have a local craft fair near you, organise one! The answer is if you can't give your money, give your time or support.

These are just five ways to support handmade, there are lots more but we think these are a great place to start. If you have some to add please let us know in the comments below.

Handmade fans for life
Sammy and H xxx

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Love it: Pop Up Shops

Pop-up shops are currently opening up everywhere you look and if it's not a shop it's a restaurant in a retail unit or living room (for a supper club type affair).  For anyone who doesn't already know pop-up shops are basically short-term sales spaces that are fitted out to utilise a retail unit whether that be in-between lets or more recently for units that are laying empty for longer periods of time. 

As I mentioned these first started coming about with restaurants and perhaps even Christmas time short lets, but now these pop-ups have been utilised by craft collectives to showcase their work and use the designer/makers as volunteer shop staff to keep them going.

I thought I would talk about a couple that I have come across and perhaps you can find some and tell us where they are to check them out.

I am sure you have heard us talk about the Craft Coop over in Maidenhead and you can see a few posts here and here.  We also did a who's who with them right back in early 2012 and you can also find out a bit more about their current pop-up in Maidenhead town centre here.

I also managed to have a look at the We Make London pop-up shop in Camden Market this week, which I have been meaning to go to for a few weeks.  A few of our friends have got some of their wares in the shop and so it was a good excuse to go take a nosey when I knew Becky from The Craft Closet was on duty. You can see their kits in the photo above.

Plus I had seen a sneak peek on their website and had my eye on one of the 'I am acrylic' blackbird necklaces - top picture.  (which I can safely say I got, oh yes and another necklace from Boobou jumped into my bag!) I did just about manage to leave the rest of the shop behind though, but Kate Rowland's rocket earrings are next on my list I think! (see below)

So, if you see a pop-up shop go check it out and if you happen to be in Maidenhead or London, do check out the shops above as you won't be disappointed.  You will, however have a lighter purse when you leave as there are so many lovely products in store for you to buy something really unique and special as a present or just for yourself!

Live it

H