Why
Handmade? In a world of mostly mass produced goods primarily from countries
outside one’s own, the word handmade
has taken on special significance. Mass produced items are almost clones of
each other, while every handmade piece is unique. It may be made from the same
pattern or template, but because each is made individually, no two are exactly
alike.
A plate by Luna
Garcia www.lunagarcia.com has edges that aren't perfectly cylindrical, which
demonstrates the beauty of hands on the wheel. Each plate, dish, or cup is
significant in its differences from all others, and makes the whole a treasure
of craftsmanship.
And so it is
with a block print. Hand manipulation of a linoleum or wood block makes each
print just slightly different from the next, even though the same block is
used. Check any block printed fabric and once in awhile you might find a tiny
spot of ink that strayed from the carved-away portion of the block. That’s not
an imperfection: that’s just part of the hand vs. machine printed aspect of it.
So each block print is unique although the same block and maybe the same fabric
and color of ink is used.
Although
handmade may cost a few more dollars than their assembly line siblings, each
has the possibility of attaining a level of craftsmanship that makes it a work
of art.
I’d love to
hear other thoughts on what handmade
means to you. And be sure to check my Etsy shop at StudioLizzy for more handmade pieces by me and
by thousands of other artists.
10% of all
Studio Lizzy sales dollars are donated to the Espanola Valley Humane Society www.evalleyshelter.org. Please adopt.
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