The history of handicrafts is actually as old as the history of mankind. From the earliest times, especially before the industrial revolution and the advent of the machine age, all sorts of items were made by hand. Today, handicrafts are popular hobbies from which one can earn money.
At one time, handicrafts were a necessity – the lack of access to stores where one could purchase needed products on the spot meant that everyday items or clothing had to be made and sewn by oneself. Each handmade item was unique and often distinguished by extraordinary durability and culturally specific details. Perhaps it was this uniqueness of self-made items that contributed to the revival of handicraft in times of mass production of everything.
If we wanted to formulate a definition of handicraft, we could say that it is a non-industrial product that has been made by hand and is distinguished by its artistic qualities. In earlier times, handicraft was associated primarily with folk products, that is, those that manifested characteristics typical of a particular culture. Today, the meaning of handicrafts has been greatly expanded. Taken from the English language, the expression handmade, which is used to refer to handicrafts, also means a popular form of earning money. Many people with artistic talents choose to handcraft all sorts of items so that they can then sell them and make a profit.
Even if the maker produces several hundred pairs of earrings according to the same design, we can still be sure that each piece is unique, because it was produced by hand, with passion. This care, originality and creativity in the designs make us increasingly reach for handmade products, often paying high prices for them. However, we know that quality is worth appreciating.
Handmade products are gaining more and more lovers in Poland. What is it that attracts us so much to handicrafts? Some are certainly fascinated by the uniqueness of the designs, others value contact with the artist and the opportunity to participate in the creative process. Some are also involved in supporting local, often very small, businesses. However, the phenomenon of handicraft lies primarily in its uniqueness. No two handmade products are identical, each will differ in finish, shade or arrangement of material, all those details that make an item unique rather than mass-produced.
The desire for uniqueness in an era of globalization makes us want to create something of our own on the one hand, and on the other, we choose to buy handmade products not only for ourselves, but also for loved ones, for example, as a gift.
Although more and more people are indulging in handicrafts or appreciating the artistry of handmade products, there is no denying that it is not for everyone. Creation is usually done by people with an artistic flair and distinguished manual skills. Imagination and creativity are also important, especially when someone intends to make money from their products.
Not everyone is also interested in handicrafts from the position of a consumer. People with a greater artistic and aesthetic sense usually decide to buy such an art form.
main photo: pixabay.com/LubosHouska
