Should I say handmade or handcrafted?

Should I say handmade or handcrafted?

The terms "handmade" and "handcrafted" are frequently used interchangeably. However, the two phrases have very distinct meanings. Handmade means the thing that was manufactured by hand, whereas handcrafted means the product was made by hand. "Handmade" is a broader phrase that can refer to both handmade and handcrafted products. Handmade is a term used to describe things that were created by a human, and the product is frequently created by a single person. Handcrafted products are those that have been created utilizing traditional processes and techniques that have been passed down through generations.

When you buy an item made by a machine, you are paying for a machine that has been built to do the job. When you buy something made by a human, you are buying the person who created the product. It is critical to differentiate between the terms "handmade" and "handcrafted". There are many examples of handcrafted goods that are also deemed "handmade" because they were made with simple tools, such as a bracelet that can be termed "handmade" even if the beads or materials used to construct it were not crafted by the artisan.

Related: What Constitutes As Handmade Jewelry?

Is there a difference between handmade and handcrafted?

People are fed up with mass-produced goods, and it shows. Recently, Etsy sales totaled $3.3 billion throughout the entire year Another controversy has emerged with the growth of these distinct and individual creations. Should you seek handcrafted vs. handmade? Many individuals are left wondering about the differences between the two in the first place. A handmade item is made by one person, but a handcrafted item is made by numerous people. A handmade product is often created by hand, whereas a handcrafted product is created by hand but frequently employs machines or computers to speed up production.

Expounding on the first section, both techniques indeed demand the use of hands for their creation. But, "handmade" is frequently understood to mean that machine production may have contributed to the production of raw materials or parts but that the assemblage was made by hand. When something is labeled or said to be handcrafted, on the other hand, it means it was made entirely by hand or with the use of simple tools (e.g., hammers and nails).

A machine-made product is created entirely with the help of a machine. If the bracelet were made by hand, then it would be considered a handmade product. A lot of people think that to make something "handmade" you need to use only materials that were made by hand, such as wool, silk, cotton, etc. But this is not true. For example, it is fine to buy a pair of shoes and sew them yourself. If you have enough skill and know-how, you can sew any kind of material.

Handmade vs Handcrafted

It is irrelevant whether handcrafted is superior to handmade or vice versa when making a purchase decision when choosing between the two. To put it another way, you shouldn't base your choice on whether or not a machine or only human labor was involved in the process. Ultimately, only a few factors matter:

Product Differences

Certain goods cannot be created because they demand a level of intricacy or precision that cannot be achieved without the assistance of machinery. Leather and genuine wood, for example, are lavished on the interiors and seats of luxury automobiles. While the majority of the work is done by hand, machines are always used in the assembly.

Artisan Differences

A handcrafted good can be superior to a handmade item, depending on the artisan's talents and experience. Expert craftspeople are typically detail-oriented and will extensively inspect each piece for quality assurance. Handcrafting has its origins in rural art, and many individual crafts have been practiced for centuries. However, inexperienced craftsmen or artists may not have mastered the duties at hand, impacting the outcome of the product or piece they create.

Material Differences

Finally, it is critical to consider the materials utilized to make the goods. Handcrafted items are typically made from natural, locally available materials. As a result, we have more environmentally friendly procedures and processes, which usually translates to higher quality materials. For example, if you buy a handbag made by indigenous people from a specific community, you can be certain that the raw material is 100% natural and sourced locally. As a result, the bag's quality will be far superior to that of a piece made by hand but using synthetic nylon that mimics the handbag.

The Sustainable Journey

Cape Cod Chokers is a small, family-owned business that commits itself to lightening its brand's footprint and bettering our planet. They have worked tirelessly to increase the use of eco-friendly materials and ethical practices. Be sure to check out their collection of handmade pieces that are as beautiful as our planet!