Making This Home Handmade

Is it true?  Are we about to hit the one year mark with the No New Clothes Challenge?  Have Martin and I really, truly quit buying clothing that we didn’t absolutely need?

My gosh.  My wallet loves us!

As you know, I’ve been steering more toward the idea of:

1. repurposing the clothes we have

2.  shopping handmade

3. perhaps going vintage/thrift shopping down the road

One side effect that I was not expecting was the increase in handmade goods throughout our entire house.  Since most malls are primarily filled with clothing stores – which we’re not shopping for – we’re not going to malls much at all.  We’re noticing more and more little shops in our favorite neighborhoods.  We’re supporting more handmade crafters and small shops.

I know the No New Clothes Challenge can be tough.  You don’t have to completely give up clothing shopping.  Just try doing a little less.  By becoming a conscious consumer in the world of clothing, I cannot believe how much more conscious we’ve become about so many of our purchases.

I know it’s a journey.  It can’t happen overnight.  Yet if I could offer you one piece of advice, it would be to not purchase something at your favorite store.  Go see if you can find the same thing being handmade and sold on the internet.

Kim at Everything Etsy found some amazing discoveries when she browsed Anthropologie and Etsy side by side.

First she found these earrings at Anthropologie for $18:

Then she found these earrings being made by an Etsy shop owner called Vintage and Glam Jewelry.  The price?  $9.50.

I managed to get somewhat similar earrings from yet another Etsy seller who offered great shipping from the US to Germany.    (Check that item off the spring No New Clothes new challenge list!)

So many of the splashes of color and change you saw in our kitchen during yesterday’s post came because of the No New Clothes Challenge.  I know that sounds crazy at first.  It’s like our values are just completely shifting about so many of the products we buy.  It started with clothes.  It continues to grow.  Here’s another shot Martin took as I cooked so you can get a little refresher of how the space is looking:

I can’t tell you how much this handmade and small business feel transforms our feelings about our home.  We can’t write up a source list of department stores. (Even the clock is a handmade gift!)  We spend a few dollars/euros more (and love each item more because it’s not just another thing in the house). We can only know we’re helping so many small entrepreneurs.  And they’re helping us create a handmade home where we love to be.

What are your thoughts on handmade and small businesses? Is it worth the extra cost to get a handmade mug instead of something from a department store?  How about supporting a local business that doesn’t get everything from China?  It’s a tricky balance – especially in today’s economy.  Of course, maybe that’s why we’re so drawn to small businesses these days.  They could use our support via our dollars and euros oh so much.  Do you agree?  Or have I become far too verbose (you know – since I’m writing in English, NOT GERMAN.)?

And in case your wallet is looking for a little inspiration, you can check out our entire journey in the No New Clothes Challenge right here.

(Images from sources referenced)