Why the World is Being Changed by the Handmade Generation
(Editor’s Note: Laura did not include her store link but shit this lady is talented and has a heart of gold. As Editor in Chief of Candor I can never say enough good things about the love she pours into the beautiful items that she makes. This is not an ad, Candor does not receive commission for sales, it’s just a recommendation by yours truly!! <3 Check it out! -Bethany Roach)
I’m a knitter. I’m 33 (at the time of writing this) and I’ve been knitting for three and a half years. I also design knitwear patterns. I started crocheting this year and started making my own bread. The last one is cause Jenna Fischer (Pam from The Office) started documenting her own bread journey and I got super curious.
Now this whole, handmade clothes/food thing isn’t actually a new concept. It’s only been the last century that we’ve really moved away from from it. But the problem (in my opinion) is that we moved so far away from handmade anything, that future generations are losing out.
Enter in, what I’ve decided to call, the Handmade Generation. People my age/of my generation *cough* Millennials *cough* are realizing this fad of fast fashion is ruining our planet and we’re doing something about it.
Nearly all of my friends are crafty in some aspect. Be it sewing, knitting, crocheting, they are fully on the handmade train. As well, Calgary’s local market scene has blown up drastically. To the point where there’s almost too many and you can’t visit them all. If I need soap or other bathroom products, there’s a wealth of options in my city. This may not be the case for everyone but do a little research (https://www.shoplocalcanada.ca/directory/ for the Canadians) and you can find handmade almost anything.
There will always be stuff that I buy new, but even my daughters clothes are 99% hand-me-downs. And I’m sending out a challenge to you dear reader.
Since I understand we can’t all afford to purchase handmade, or know how to make our own stuff, try for the remainder of the year to not buy new clothes for yourself. If you need something, try your local thrift stores. Not only will it save you money, you’ll be helping a small/local business. And, when you shop local/small you’re helping someone directly instead of some rich CEO. Plus if you’re shopping locally you’re helping your own economy grow.
It bears repeating that I know it’s not cheap to shop local or small, that’s why I suggest thrift/second hand stores for clothes and household goods. Cleaning supplies/groceries/diapers, you do that Amazon/WalMart/whatever shopping. It’s not a perfect world but if we all make a shift we can make a difference.