Many many people in our disposable fast paced society do not realize that artisan made items are NOT a new age, novel item. Ever since Henry Ford started the production line way back in the early 20th century, the mass consciousness of the shopping public has forgotten almost all things but mass produced items. Often these mass produced items, whilst being cheap, inexpensive, or whatever you want to call them, are made so at the expense of the laborer behind the scenes who basically works their A$$ off to support their family in their dirt floor hut on a whopping $.05 a day.

Since the beginning of the world, there has never been mass production. That’s right, think of it. For the 20 centuries since Jesus Christ walked on this earth, and for millions of years before that, since Creation, there was never such a thing as mass production. Items were produced by artisans, artists, and skilled laborers who weren’t quite at the “artisan” level but who possessed some definitive skill in their chosen area.

Hunting, cooking, farming, wine making, stone masonry, glass making, clothing making, baskets, jewelry, makeup ~ all of the early civilization without exception have made their mark in one or more of these fields. And, yes, Noah DID build that ark out of instructions from a Higher Authority, NOT a Wal-Mart crafters kit  ……….

Needlearts, such as sewing, embroidery, knitting, crocheting, cross stitch ~ all were invented and embellished upon long before we came upon them and learned them. To even think that any one of us might have “conceived” an item of today is not only ridiculous, it show a complete lack of respect and ignorance for the ancient crafts that were started so many centuries ago. The same with jewelry, and virtually any other artisan craft of today……. we are merely preserving the integrity of the craft and growing with it as today’s materials and techniques allow.

To impress upon the mind of the average shopper that artisan made items have more value than mass produced is often a difficult task. As before mentioned, our current society seems to live and breath mass production.

I feel, and this is just MHO, that the idea of “value” is what’s missing. When one purchases antique and vintage items, often artisan made, there is a “value” of time, antiquity, and unique-ness that surrounds the item like an aura. When one purchases artisan made items of today, despite the overwhelming resurrection of real and true artisan work even in this modern age, the idea of “value” is not there, at least not in the shoppers heads.

Which is why it is important for every artisan, crafter, artist and the like who produces unique, original hand made items, whatever they may be, to soundly and firmly impress just that on their shoppers and website visitors. If you truly make unique things, no one can duplicate them, hence they truly are “one of a kind” and “unique” and they are just as unique as the individual who purchases them. That individual will NEVER see someone wearing the same pair of earrings, the same shawl, the same stained glass vase.

Every artisan, crafter and artist must, for the sake of the artisan craft which has been around for centuries, impress this upon their visitors and customers. Each piece is unique as you are. It, no matter what it is, is and will become a cherished heirloom item and each piece is a contribution to tomorrow’s antiques. Each piece has infinite, irreplaceable “value”.