I don’t know about you, but I’m feeling the strain of all that is going on about us in the world today -- new government administration, lost jobs, stock market causing havoc with everyone’s retirement -- and just life in general.
I am normally a very upbeat person – confident, happy, looking to make someone smile, if only for a minute; and I am getting darn tired of letting myself be negatively impacted by all the “bad” things happening around me.
I found this article and ripped it out of a magazine at the doctor’s office (YES, I did that—it was THAT important to me to share it with more than just a few people). I hope it can help you as it helped me.
HAPPY HABITS
LAUGH. This simple act releases endorphins and makes you feel good. Laughing also invites laughter from other people – a social connection that will boost your mood, too.
COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS. People who concentrate on what they genuinely have to feel happy about are – surprise! – happier than those who dwell on the negatives. If you’re in a bad funk, you might have to start with “I’m grateful I have legs.” Before too long, you’ll see how much you really have going for you.
SAY THANK YOU. Expressing gratitude ratchets up the happiness quotient even more. In one study, research subjects wrote a thank you letter to someone who had helped them in a significant way. Their happiness levels shot up immediately afterward and, amazingly, remained higher than normal for a month.
PLAY TO YOUR STRENGTHS. One measure of happiness is the ability to become absorbed by a task, and we’re most absorbed by new activities that we’re naturally good at. If your strength is social connection, find a hobby that allows you to interact meaningfully with other people. If your strength is self-expression, consider starting a blog or taking an art class.
DO GOOD. In study after study, any form of generosity – simple acts of kindness, donations or volunteer work – raised happiness levels.
Feel happier today, despite what’s going on around you. It’s what is INSIDE you that makes the difference!
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Thursday, February 19, 2009
THE STIMULUS PACKAGE: PIEPER'S VIEW
"There are no ordinary cats." (Colette)
Sshhh...Mom is in the other room, sewing, I think. But I have to tell you about my Stimulus Package which arrived the other day! (Mom isn't happy when I climb up here and use her desk...I'm not allowed on the desk or her work table you know--hehe--little does she know--she can't be awake 24/7). Anyway, I digress.
Well, the stimulus package arrived at our house. Mom ordered some nice handmade pictures and a couple of books from our friend, Sandypaws, at her recent Bonanza sale at Bonanzle! (Try saying that with a mouth full of whiskers!)
Sandypaws included in the box a cellophane bag of handmade toys just for me. I was (uncharacteristically--LOL, right...) sleeping. Mom put the bag on the table, thinking I would be up before she went to work and she could give me a toy.
Well, off to work she went...I hadn't gotten up yet...but when I got up...well, I just couldn't resist investigating this package! Oh my gosh! It was wonderful! Handmade, snuggly fabric, toys just for me! You should have SEEN mom's face when she came home after work...but then she laughed and saw the new decoration scattered in every direction, in every room, and I knew all was okay. You know, there is just so much power in being just the cutest thing in the family!
Oh, and the best part? Well, for a cat anyway, was trying to crawl inside the cellophane bag to get out every last morsel of catnip! Zowie! AND, I was able to attempt to make a home out of the flat rate box the goodies came in...I just felt a tug of comradeship with all those critters (8) who live in the house and attempt to help sew and ship the goodies (but they don't have much more luck than I do)!
And speaking of cutest things, Sandypaws runs Beach Cat Rescue in New Jersey. If you would like more information about what they do, please visit their site. They are currently pending New Jersey Non-Profit status. The program is run by the family from their family finances - what a wonderful, giving way of life. The following is just a portion of what their mission is at Beach Cat Rescue:
Beach Cat Rescue is a NJ Non Profit Corporation with 501c3 pending! Our rescue was created to address the needs of abandoned stray and feral cats in our community. We are a small home based rescue that focuses on the rehabilitation and adoption of abandoned, homeless and stray cats and kittens.
Beach Cat Rescue has a very specific mission which makes us unique in our approach and our needs. You can read much information online about the humane treatment of feral cats. We at BCR agree that feral cats have very specific needs and their treatment should be much different. TNR is a wonderful triage tool for that population as well as providing shelters and daily feedings.
However, BCR would also like to address the population that lives in that grey area somewhere between housecat and feral cat! There are so many stray and abandoned cats without socialization who are not feral. We would like to help educate people as to ways they can help with this specific population! There is a very big difference between a true feral and the stray you may be seeing in your neighborhood. Please see our article entitled "The Myth and Confusion of Feral Cats" to learn more.
Thanks to Renee and her family for what they give back to our lovely cat communities!
Many of the profits (if not all) from the sales at sandypaws booth at Bonanzle, as well as Willow Blue booth at Bonanzle, go to help care for, feed, spay and neuter feral cats, as well as socialize those animals that are able to interact with humans.
Friday, February 13, 2009
IN GOD’S ARMS: Douglas Wheatlake - April 3, 1952 - February 4, 2009
“Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength, they will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31.
On February 4, 2009, after a seven year battle with multiple myeloma (bone marrow cancer), hundreds of arduous treatments, including bone marrow transplants and stem cell treatments, Jesus came and lifted Doug upon His wings and carried him home to be with Him forever.
Doug “fought the good fight, he finished the race, and he kept the faith. Now there is in store for him the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to him…” 2 Timothy 4:7
Doug was preceded in death by his Mother, Estelle, and it’s been rumored that they are now riding a bright red motorcycle together through Heaven!
He is survived by his wife, Vickie, and two children, Patrick and Burton, his father, Burton, stepmother, Phyllis, two sisters, Linda and Chris, a brother, Don, and many nieces and nephews.
And, as God would have it, He is replacing Doug’s light on earth with a new baby, Paul, due in August, to Doug's niece, Kim, and her husband, Jake.
Doug was a special educator, a special brother, son, husband and father. He lived his life with grace and strength, just as he carried on throughout his illness, an inspiration of hope through Jesus Christ to all who crossed his path.
You will be very missed Douggie…but we know that you lived your purpose fully…that Patrick and Burton were able to grow into young men in the past seven years, and that your lessons in courage and love of the Lord will be a blessing to them in years to come.
God bless you! We will see you in the sweet bye-and-bye.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
SANDBOX LOVE
“All kittens, from the very first, set out to teach their humans to adapt to the needs of a cat. As a reward, they grant them the position of honorary cat.” (Pam Brown)
The above is a true enough statement; Pieper thinks that I am a cat and that I don’t mind sharing my “sandbox” with her. I try to sneak into the bathroom and get the door securely shut before she figures out where I’ve gone. I guess she thinks there is a secret exit from the bathroom that only I know about…and that if she isn’t in there with me, I will just disappear!
The few times I do get the door shut and leave her in the hallway, she meows, tries to turn the door handle, and runs her paws under the doorway, hoping somehow to pull or push it open. It’s quite comical, really.
What is NOT exactly comical, however, is when she does manage to get into the bathroom before me and insists on “helping Mommy” go potty. (Before my son, Steve, moved back home, we never had this problem…I simply left the bathroom door open unless I had company.) Now, however, it has become an issue between Pieper and me.
Pieper just loves to crawl up in my lap from the edge of the bathtub…and then she insists that I hold her in my arms. I have no idea why she thinks this is a safe place to be, except that she can be fairly certain I won’t be jumping up in a hurry! So, I patiently hold her, pet her, nuzzle her little head as she pushes against my chin…she drools on my hand and looks up at me with the most adoring look…how can I not be so happy?
Then, when she has absorbed just about as much “sandbox love” as she can stand, she primly jumps down from my lap and strolls over to HER sandbox, turns her back on me and does her thing. She expects privacy! Of course!
Friday, January 30, 2009
LETTER TO MY EMPLOYEES - A PERSPECTIVE
Before I publish this and get hate mail, I want to assure you that this story is not my attempt to blame any one President over the years. I do not believe this letter is about the big CEOs, who are not accountable to anyone, for anything. I do, however, hold a lot of legislators accountable for going along with a laissez-faire approach to governing. The Presidents don't do it all themselves; Congress and the House are fully as accountable as the President, perhaps more so...looking out for their special interests, the perceived "influential" people around them...instead of looking out for the people who got them where they are.
Someone posted letter "Letter to All My Valued Employees" on a Bonanzle forum and I wanted to share it here. It makes me very sad, but it is very, very true.
To All My Valued Employees,
There have been some rumblings around the office about the future of this company, and more specifically, your job. As you know, the economy has changed for the worse and presents many challenges. However, the good news is this: The economy doesn’t pose a threat to your job. What does threaten your job however, is the changing political landscape in this country.
However, let me tell you some little tidbits of fact which might help you decide what is in your best interests.
First, while it is easy to spew rhetoric that casts employers against employees, you have to understand that for every business owner there is a back story. This back story is often neglected and overshadowed by what you see and hear. Sure, you see me park my Mercedes outside. You’ve seen my big home at last years Christmas party. I’m sure; all these flashy icons of luxury conjure up some idealized thoughts about my life.
However, what you don’t see is the back story.
I started this company 28 years ago. At that time, I lived in a 300 square foot studio apartment for 3 years. My entire living apartment was converted into an office so I could put forth 100% effort into building a company, which by the way, would eventually employ you.
My diet consisted of Ramen Pride noodles because every dollar I spent went back into this company. I drove a rusty Toyota Corolla with a defective transmission. I didn’t have time to date. Often times, I stayed home on weekends, while my friends went out drinking and partying. In fact, I was married to my business — hard work, discipline, and sacrifice.
Meanwhile, my friends got jobs. They worked 40 hours a week and made a modest $50K a year and spent every dime they earned. They drove flashy cars and lived in expensive homes and wore fancy designer clothes. Instead of hitting the Nordstrom’s for the latest hot fashion item, I was trolling through the Goodwill store extracting any clothing item that didn’t look like it was birthed in the 70’s. My friends refinanced their mortgages and lived a life of luxury. I, however, did not. I put my time, my money, and my life into a business with a vision that eventually, some day, I too, will be able to afford these luxuries my friends supposedly had.
So, while you physically arrive at the office at 9am, mentally check in at about noon, and then leave at 5pm, I don’t. There is no “off” button for me.
When you leave the office, you are done and you have a weekend all to yourself. I unfortunately do not have the freedom. I eat, and breathe this company every minute of the day. There is no rest. There is no weekend. There is no happy hour. Every day this business is attached to my hip like a 1 year old special-needs child. You, of course, only see the fruits of that garden — the nice house, the Mercedes, the vacations… You never realize the back story and the sacrifices I’ve made.
Now, the economy is falling apart and I, the guy that made all the right decisions and saved his money, have to bail-out all the people who didn’t. The people that overspent their paychecks suddenly feel entitled to the same luxuries that I earned and sacrificed a decade of my life for.
Yes, business ownership has is benefits but the price I’ve paid is steep and not without wounds.
Unfortunately, the cost of running this business, and employing you, is starting to eclipse the threshold of marginal benefit and let me tell you why:
I am being taxed to death and the government thinks I don’t pay enough. I have state taxes. Federal taxes. Property taxes. Sales and use taxes. Payroll taxes. Workers compensation taxes. Unemployment taxes. Taxes on taxes. I have to hire a tax man to manage all these taxes and then guess what? I have to pay taxes for employing him. Government mandates and regulations and all the accounting that goes with it, now occupy most of my time. On Oct 15th, I wrote a check to the US Treasury for $288,000 for quarterly taxes. You know what my “stimulus” check was? Zero. Nada. Zilch.
The question I have is this: Who is stimulating the economy? Me, the guy who has provided 14 people good paying jobs and serves over 2,200,000 people per year with a flourishing business? Or, the single mother sitting at home pregnant with her fourth child waiting for her next welfare check? Obviously, government feels the latter is the economic stimulus of this country.
The fact is, if I deducted (Read: Stole) 50% of your paycheck you’d quit and you wouldn’t work here. I mean, why should you? That’s nuts. Who wants to get rewarded only 50% of their hard work? Well, I agree which is why your job is in jeopardy.
Here is what many of you don’t understand … to stimulate the economy you need to stimulate what runs the economy. Had suddenly government mandated to me that I didn’t need to pay taxes, guess what? Instead of depositing that $288,000 into the Washington black-hole, I would have spent it, hired more employees, and generated substantial economic growth. My employees would have enjoyed the wealth of that tax cut in the form of promotions and better salaries. But you can forget it now.
When you have a comatose man on the verge of death, you don’t defibrillate and shock his thumb thinking that will bring him back to life, do you? Or, do you defibrillate his heart? Business is at the heart of America and always has been. To restart it, you must stimulate it, not kill it. Suddenly, the power brokers in Washington believe the poor of America are the essential drivers of the American economic engine. Nothing could be further from the truth and this is the type of change you can keep.
So where am I going with all this?
It’s quite simple.
If any new taxes are levied on me, or my company, my reaction will be swift and simple. I fire you. I fire your co-workers. You can then plead with the government to pay for your mortgage, your SUV, and your child’s future. Frankly, it isn’t my problem any more.
Then, I will close this company down, move to another country, and retire. You see, I’m done. I’m done with a country that penalizes the productive and gives to the unproductive. My motivation to work and to provide jobs will be destroyed, and with it, will be my citizenship.
If you lose your job, it won’t be at the hands of the economy; it will be at the hands of a political hurricane that swept through this country, steamrolled the constitution, and will have changed its landscape forever. If that happens, you can find me sitting on a beach, retired, and with no employees to worry about….
Signed,
Your boss
Someone posted letter "Letter to All My Valued Employees" on a Bonanzle forum and I wanted to share it here. It makes me very sad, but it is very, very true.
To All My Valued Employees,
There have been some rumblings around the office about the future of this company, and more specifically, your job. As you know, the economy has changed for the worse and presents many challenges. However, the good news is this: The economy doesn’t pose a threat to your job. What does threaten your job however, is the changing political landscape in this country.
However, let me tell you some little tidbits of fact which might help you decide what is in your best interests.
First, while it is easy to spew rhetoric that casts employers against employees, you have to understand that for every business owner there is a back story. This back story is often neglected and overshadowed by what you see and hear. Sure, you see me park my Mercedes outside. You’ve seen my big home at last years Christmas party. I’m sure; all these flashy icons of luxury conjure up some idealized thoughts about my life.
However, what you don’t see is the back story.
I started this company 28 years ago. At that time, I lived in a 300 square foot studio apartment for 3 years. My entire living apartment was converted into an office so I could put forth 100% effort into building a company, which by the way, would eventually employ you.
My diet consisted of Ramen Pride noodles because every dollar I spent went back into this company. I drove a rusty Toyota Corolla with a defective transmission. I didn’t have time to date. Often times, I stayed home on weekends, while my friends went out drinking and partying. In fact, I was married to my business — hard work, discipline, and sacrifice.
Meanwhile, my friends got jobs. They worked 40 hours a week and made a modest $50K a year and spent every dime they earned. They drove flashy cars and lived in expensive homes and wore fancy designer clothes. Instead of hitting the Nordstrom’s for the latest hot fashion item, I was trolling through the Goodwill store extracting any clothing item that didn’t look like it was birthed in the 70’s. My friends refinanced their mortgages and lived a life of luxury. I, however, did not. I put my time, my money, and my life into a business with a vision that eventually, some day, I too, will be able to afford these luxuries my friends supposedly had.
So, while you physically arrive at the office at 9am, mentally check in at about noon, and then leave at 5pm, I don’t. There is no “off” button for me.
When you leave the office, you are done and you have a weekend all to yourself. I unfortunately do not have the freedom. I eat, and breathe this company every minute of the day. There is no rest. There is no weekend. There is no happy hour. Every day this business is attached to my hip like a 1 year old special-needs child. You, of course, only see the fruits of that garden — the nice house, the Mercedes, the vacations… You never realize the back story and the sacrifices I’ve made.
Now, the economy is falling apart and I, the guy that made all the right decisions and saved his money, have to bail-out all the people who didn’t. The people that overspent their paychecks suddenly feel entitled to the same luxuries that I earned and sacrificed a decade of my life for.
Yes, business ownership has is benefits but the price I’ve paid is steep and not without wounds.
Unfortunately, the cost of running this business, and employing you, is starting to eclipse the threshold of marginal benefit and let me tell you why:
I am being taxed to death and the government thinks I don’t pay enough. I have state taxes. Federal taxes. Property taxes. Sales and use taxes. Payroll taxes. Workers compensation taxes. Unemployment taxes. Taxes on taxes. I have to hire a tax man to manage all these taxes and then guess what? I have to pay taxes for employing him. Government mandates and regulations and all the accounting that goes with it, now occupy most of my time. On Oct 15th, I wrote a check to the US Treasury for $288,000 for quarterly taxes. You know what my “stimulus” check was? Zero. Nada. Zilch.
The question I have is this: Who is stimulating the economy? Me, the guy who has provided 14 people good paying jobs and serves over 2,200,000 people per year with a flourishing business? Or, the single mother sitting at home pregnant with her fourth child waiting for her next welfare check? Obviously, government feels the latter is the economic stimulus of this country.
The fact is, if I deducted (Read: Stole) 50% of your paycheck you’d quit and you wouldn’t work here. I mean, why should you? That’s nuts. Who wants to get rewarded only 50% of their hard work? Well, I agree which is why your job is in jeopardy.
Here is what many of you don’t understand … to stimulate the economy you need to stimulate what runs the economy. Had suddenly government mandated to me that I didn’t need to pay taxes, guess what? Instead of depositing that $288,000 into the Washington black-hole, I would have spent it, hired more employees, and generated substantial economic growth. My employees would have enjoyed the wealth of that tax cut in the form of promotions and better salaries. But you can forget it now.
When you have a comatose man on the verge of death, you don’t defibrillate and shock his thumb thinking that will bring him back to life, do you? Or, do you defibrillate his heart? Business is at the heart of America and always has been. To restart it, you must stimulate it, not kill it. Suddenly, the power brokers in Washington believe the poor of America are the essential drivers of the American economic engine. Nothing could be further from the truth and this is the type of change you can keep.
So where am I going with all this?
It’s quite simple.
If any new taxes are levied on me, or my company, my reaction will be swift and simple. I fire you. I fire your co-workers. You can then plead with the government to pay for your mortgage, your SUV, and your child’s future. Frankly, it isn’t my problem any more.
Then, I will close this company down, move to another country, and retire. You see, I’m done. I’m done with a country that penalizes the productive and gives to the unproductive. My motivation to work and to provide jobs will be destroyed, and with it, will be my citizenship.
If you lose your job, it won’t be at the hands of the economy; it will be at the hands of a political hurricane that swept through this country, steamrolled the constitution, and will have changed its landscape forever. If that happens, you can find me sitting on a beach, retired, and with no employees to worry about….
Signed,
Your boss
Monday, January 26, 2009
NEW CAT ITEMS ON BONANZLE
Is that call for kitty? When you are talking on the phone, does your cat suddenly become playful, overly friendly, rub against your legs or swipe at the telephone cord? Pieper climbs up on the arm of my office chair, snuggles her way under my arm, puts her little paws on the desktop, and looks adoringly up at me..."Aren't I the cutest mommy?" She then rubs her little silky head against my chin, forcing me to fall in love all over again!
The reason many cats try to interfere with their owner's telephone conversations is because they think WE are talking to THEM! So, they respond in an appropriately friendly manner. Cats have no way of understanding there is someone on the other end of the line.
Okay, I'll buy that...but what if you are just looking at the computer, clicking away on the keyboard...does she think I'm typing her an e-mail?
Okay, so the two items pictured have just been listed in my booth at BONANZLE! I've been sick with the flu/cold for the past several days, but did manage to get this done. Hope you will take a look!
We'll be back with more cat facts and fellow sellers from Bonanzle in a couple of days. In the meantime, have just the greatest day you can!
Monday, January 19, 2009
DID YOU REALLY MAKE THAT YOURSELF? HONESTY IN THE MARKETPLACE
Recently on a Bonanzle forum, I asked for opinions on homemade vs. handcrafted and what claims of “handmade” should or could be made by a seller.
The questions I posed were:
1. Should sellers refrain from claiming “handmade” if, in fact, they are actually embellishing ready-made products?
2. Do you buy handmade because you appreciate the talent and work that has gone into the product?
3. Have you ever been disappointed with a “handmade” purchase that you have made?
WHEN CAN A SELLER CLAIM HANDMADE OR HANDCRAFTED?
“Handmade” vs. “handcrafted” – is there a difference? The terms are very similar, but there is a difference. Many crafters claim their items are “handmade” when, in fact, they have been made “en masse” using machine stamped parts, sewn on with an industrial sewing machine, embossed by a mechanical press or hand-cranked machine or otherwise “embellished”. Yes, they may have “technically” been handmade, but they may still fall into a category known as “mass produced in order to make a buck.”
Handcrafted items, on the other hand, are made wholly by hand…they are cut, finished, stained, painted, punched, stitched, tooled or embossed…by hand. But wait…here’s another point…and a good one.
In today’s market, there are tons of craft items that can be bought separately and then handcrafted into new creations. You could buy a wooden plaque (instead of making one because many of us don’t have access to power tools or a place to use them), sand, paint, stain and finish the piece, apply decals, transfers, appliqués or other purchased embellishments, and it would still be considered “handcrafted” and “original”. Why? Because the seller used their imaginations and talents to create something new out of a variety of products. Is this any different that going out in your back yard, picking up a piece of wood and working on that? A little, perhaps, but as I said before, many of us do not have access to a yard, or a garage where we can work.
If, however, someone purchases a ready-made ornament (for example) that looks handmade, but is not, cuts off the tags and then claims that it is “handmade”, that to me is fraud and false advertising. Maybe someone did hand make it; however, if it is being sold in any of the chain stores like Hobby Lobby, Michael’s, Target, K-Mart or JoAnn’s, you can be certain that the “hand-crafter” surely didn’t make millions of that one item for sale in all those venues; therefore, it falls in to the “mass produced for a buck” category and is most certainly not “handmade” by one person.
One forum response probably summed up point two (Do you buy handmade because you appreciate the talent and work that has gone into the product?):
“I like buying “hand made, home made” items because it was done with meaning. The factory made items are just that, made with cold hard steal machines that could care less if someone likes what they get or not. Whereas, handmade products from real people are done with more tenderness because they want their product to make the customer smile when the customer receives it!”
HOW TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT IN PURCHASING HANDMADE PRODUCTS
I hand make a lot of the items in my Bonanzle booth and I strive to include in the description what the item is made of (100% cotton, for instance), what method was used (hand-embroidered, crocheted), that my home is smoke-free and the pets are not allowed to sit on the product. I never, ever put something up for sale that I would not be thrilled to have and use myself. Quality is important to me. I want the item to last. I want my customer to be totally happy with the product. I want them to enjoy it for years. However, if a buyer has questions about a product and how it was made, those questions are answered straight-forwardly. It would then be up to the buyer to decide if they wished to purchase it or not.
Product quality is every bit as important to the seller as the price or the fact that it is handmade. I have made online purchases of handmade items that just amazed me…unfinished or raveling seams, jewelry with pointy edges, items that “break” after one use – poor quality workmanship will damage a “handmade” reputation faster than anything.
WHEN IN DOUBT IF SOMETHING IS HANDMADE…Ask! Ask the seller, “Did you make this?” “How did you do this?” “Where did you get the idea?” If you are not happy with the answers, then move on.
HONESTY IN ADVERTISING
So, is this what it’s all about? Honesty and integrity of the seller? I think yes, that is the answer. No one can really judge a “handcrafter” because there are so many creative ways to craft all kinds of things – but one has the right to expect honesty and integrity from a seller in representing their creations.
Our Bonanzle marketplace is filling up with wonderful handcrafters of all kinds and I welcome you to come to our community, do a search for the items that interest you. I think you will be clearly impressed with the variety of goods, dedication of these crafters, and the professional quality of their specialties.
The questions I posed were:
1. Should sellers refrain from claiming “handmade” if, in fact, they are actually embellishing ready-made products?
2. Do you buy handmade because you appreciate the talent and work that has gone into the product?
3. Have you ever been disappointed with a “handmade” purchase that you have made?
WHEN CAN A SELLER CLAIM HANDMADE OR HANDCRAFTED?
“Handmade” vs. “handcrafted” – is there a difference? The terms are very similar, but there is a difference. Many crafters claim their items are “handmade” when, in fact, they have been made “en masse” using machine stamped parts, sewn on with an industrial sewing machine, embossed by a mechanical press or hand-cranked machine or otherwise “embellished”. Yes, they may have “technically” been handmade, but they may still fall into a category known as “mass produced in order to make a buck.”
Handcrafted items, on the other hand, are made wholly by hand…they are cut, finished, stained, painted, punched, stitched, tooled or embossed…by hand. But wait…here’s another point…and a good one.
In today’s market, there are tons of craft items that can be bought separately and then handcrafted into new creations. You could buy a wooden plaque (instead of making one because many of us don’t have access to power tools or a place to use them), sand, paint, stain and finish the piece, apply decals, transfers, appliqués or other purchased embellishments, and it would still be considered “handcrafted” and “original”. Why? Because the seller used their imaginations and talents to create something new out of a variety of products. Is this any different that going out in your back yard, picking up a piece of wood and working on that? A little, perhaps, but as I said before, many of us do not have access to a yard, or a garage where we can work.
If, however, someone purchases a ready-made ornament (for example) that looks handmade, but is not, cuts off the tags and then claims that it is “handmade”, that to me is fraud and false advertising. Maybe someone did hand make it; however, if it is being sold in any of the chain stores like Hobby Lobby, Michael’s, Target, K-Mart or JoAnn’s, you can be certain that the “hand-crafter” surely didn’t make millions of that one item for sale in all those venues; therefore, it falls in to the “mass produced for a buck” category and is most certainly not “handmade” by one person.
One forum response probably summed up point two (Do you buy handmade because you appreciate the talent and work that has gone into the product?):
“I like buying “hand made, home made” items because it was done with meaning. The factory made items are just that, made with cold hard steal machines that could care less if someone likes what they get or not. Whereas, handmade products from real people are done with more tenderness because they want their product to make the customer smile when the customer receives it!”
HOW TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT IN PURCHASING HANDMADE PRODUCTS
I hand make a lot of the items in my Bonanzle booth and I strive to include in the description what the item is made of (100% cotton, for instance), what method was used (hand-embroidered, crocheted), that my home is smoke-free and the pets are not allowed to sit on the product. I never, ever put something up for sale that I would not be thrilled to have and use myself. Quality is important to me. I want the item to last. I want my customer to be totally happy with the product. I want them to enjoy it for years. However, if a buyer has questions about a product and how it was made, those questions are answered straight-forwardly. It would then be up to the buyer to decide if they wished to purchase it or not.
Product quality is every bit as important to the seller as the price or the fact that it is handmade. I have made online purchases of handmade items that just amazed me…unfinished or raveling seams, jewelry with pointy edges, items that “break” after one use – poor quality workmanship will damage a “handmade” reputation faster than anything.
WHEN IN DOUBT IF SOMETHING IS HANDMADE…Ask! Ask the seller, “Did you make this?” “How did you do this?” “Where did you get the idea?” If you are not happy with the answers, then move on.
HONESTY IN ADVERTISING
So, is this what it’s all about? Honesty and integrity of the seller? I think yes, that is the answer. No one can really judge a “handcrafter” because there are so many creative ways to craft all kinds of things – but one has the right to expect honesty and integrity from a seller in representing their creations.
Our Bonanzle marketplace is filling up with wonderful handcrafters of all kinds and I welcome you to come to our community, do a search for the items that interest you. I think you will be clearly impressed with the variety of goods, dedication of these crafters, and the professional quality of their specialties.
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