When buying something handmade....
By maildumpster
@maildumpster (3815)
United States
9 responses
@coachflaps (683)
• United States
11 May 07
If it's handmade then no it won't be perfect and there will be differences between each item made, could be very minor but there will be differences and there is nothing wrong with that because it's handmade, that's part of the charm of buying hadmade products. If you make your own stuff have you ever visited www.etsy.com? You can buy and sell handmade items there.
3 people like this
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
11 May 07
I took a quick look at this site and bookmarked it to go look closer when I'm not so tired - looks like something I might be interested in. I do mainly baby afghans and matching pillows but am about to branch out into something new and am looking for additional site to sell on - I'm not at all pleased with eBay and what I've seen there.
@maildumpster (3815)
• United States
14 May 07
coachflaps - thank you! You said what I feel. I know people who won't see something if it slightly imperfect. I feel it does add to the charm.
I haven't started selling online at any of those types of sites yet; but thank you for mentioning etsy. I know a few people that sell there and they like it.
@cyrile07 (236)
• Philippines
11 May 07
for me there's no such thing as perfect because we cant please everybody, maybe for us it seems perfect but still to somebody it isnt.. so as long as your satisfied on your works and you think you did it very well and at least 5-10 people like it then it must be a masterpiece... everyone is unique, what were doing and making is also unique.. there are so many imperfect masterpieces that are so expensive right? so dont stressed out yourself, as long as what you make can be useful then go for it as long as its not that expensive that no one can afford it LOL :) take things slowly and be content with what you think is perfect for you.. happy mylotting.. and goodluck on your craft :)
@maildumpster (3815)
• United States
14 May 07
Well thank you. I certainly can't please everyone and don't try to.
I make things like ornaments, magnets, pens and other odds and ends. Useful I would say.
My thing is I can find any imperfection on my own work. Things that others can't find unless I show them. I guess if they can't find them; it is ok!
@margieanneart (26423)
• United States
11 May 07
Any hand made thing is going to be imperfect, and that is the beauty of it. A machine may do it perfect, but it will lack love and passion, as only hands and a heart can produce.
2 people like this
@maildumpster (3815)
• United States
14 May 07
That is such a nice way of saying that. Really sweet.
Thank you for your comment. I believe that handmade can't be perfect!
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
11 May 07
Oh I'm the same way, I've had so many people tell me 'it's homemade it isn't expected to be perfect' but it still bugs me. I have however started to do something silly with my baby afghans I sell - I purposfully put one mistake in each one :)
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
14 May 07
I've never heard that about the painters but is a concept I guess I believe in - no one is perfect so how could we expect to produce 'perfect' material or products.
I was once like that though - it had to be perfect or it was trash, I found myself becoming totally non-productive. My mom helped me over that though - it was made with my own two hands with love so it's the most special thing.
@maildumpster (3815)
• United States
14 May 07
Like gailseymor I agree - I think that is a quaint idea to include an intentional mistake.
People usually can't find the imperfections in my items unless I show them so it can't be too bad.
I just know people who don't sell anything they make unless it is perfect.
@gailseymour (20)
•
14 May 07
I don't think it's silly, I think it's part of a game.
I remember reading somewhere about a group of Chinese painters who would paint only one painting and make it their life's work, but they would all include a deliberate error somewhere in the piece.
I think it was something to do with giving the best of yourself to a single project, and striving for perfection, but the error was about being aware of the conceit of imagining anything created by man could ever be perfect anyway.
Somehow it all seemed much more deep and meaningful when I read it though :-)
1 person likes this
@filmbuff (2909)
• United States
11 May 07
I'm a perfectionist. I like everything I do to be perfect. That of course never happens because I am human, falable and no matter how good I do something it could always been done better.
When it comes to something handmade being pefect, I don't expect it to be and I'm not sure that I would want it be perfect either.
Marrs, blemishes and imperfections serve a very good purpose in giving contrast and character to what ever you are looking at. One could easy argue, (and I am of this camp) that it is our very imperfections that make us beautiful. By extension, that would also include things made by us.
1 person likes this
@scarywhitegirl (2766)
• United States
11 May 07
I think that I almost anticipate that there will be minor imperfections in something handmade. I don't like seeing the imperfections in the crafts that I make, but I know that they will be there, and have learned to live with them. I also know that if I make the same pattern 20 times, it's going to look a little different every time. That's just part of being handmade! :)
1 person likes this
@susieq223 (3742)
• United States
11 May 07
That's a good question! I always want my own stuff to be perfect, too. It drives me crazy! When I buy something, it doesn't necessarily have to be perfect, but I do want it to look good! Any imperfections would have to be pretty minor and not distract from the overall appearance of the item.
1 person likes this
@Woodpigeon (3710)
• Ireland
11 May 07
When buying something handmade I have no problem at all with there being slight imperfections. That is part of the uniqueness of somehting made by man rather than machine.
