The popularity and growth of the artisan industry has increased tremendously in recent years. Just look at the very popular Etsy, an American e-commerce website that provides a platform for talented artisans to showcase and sell their goods. Even Amazon has launched their own “Handmade at Amazon” to offer original, artisan-design products – including jewelry, stationery and wedding decorations – to compete with Etsy.
Particularly drawn to artisan goods are millennials. Because of their pulls to authenticity, creativity and support for local goods, millennials flock to artisan websites that focus on sustainable, authentic and handmade goods.
“As one expert explains, ‘slow artisanal crafts, like cross stitch or cheese making or micro brewing, [are] a counterpoint to fast technology.’ Immersed in technology for most of their lives, Millennials appreciate artisan goods because they encourage people to slow down and savor impeccably made craftsmanship. Millennials also like to express their individuality by buying one-of-a-kind items, plus artisan goods are often local goods made by small businesses. Whether artisan or handcrafted breads, cheese or beer, Millennials want to know where their food is coming from.” (rangeme.com)
There are many reasons why people love handcrafted items.Let’s take a look at some of them.
Quality – Many artisans have spent years developing their skills and honing their artform. For example, here at Khutsala™ Artisans, our top level producers have been working with beads and wire for many years now, making them masters of their art. You can tell just by looking at our handmade ornaments that these artisans know what they are doing! Quality is very important to the Khutsala Artisans and we standby each product produced.
Creativity -The word artisan evokes the ideas of creativity and individuality and in the artisan industry there are endless creative and interesting treasures to find! Here at Khutsala Artisans, we foster creativity through empowering our artisans to take risks and design products they think are beautiful. We then workshop these ideas into products, turning their creativity into income for our mission! It doesn’t get much more out-of-the-box than an African company producing Christmas Ornaments!
Uniqueness – Most artisan products are also handmade. No two handmade items are exactly alike. Variations in color, shading, shape, texture, etc. are inherent in a handmade item. Every single handmade item is one-of-a-kind! If you look closely, you’ll notice this particularly in our charcuterie boards. While the boards may be cut from the same tree, their unique live edge and color makes each board one of a kind.
Sustainability – Artisan products are typically more sustainable. Less energy is used when work is done by hand as opposed to being done on a mass production assembly line. Taking this a step further, it is important for Khutsala Artisans to waste as little raw materials as possible, so our quality assurance team makes sure all cutting of wire is done with as little waste as possible.
Uplifts Workers and Communities – Providing fair, sustainable wages empowers artisans to care for themselves and their families.Work provides dignity and purpose which creates healthier and happier communities. “If you’re looking for innovative ways to help developing countries flourish, artisans are a terrific place to begin,” explained former U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry who spoke about the impact of artisans on communities and the global economy at a recent forum at the State Department.You’ll notice immediately when you walk into the Khutsala Artisans facility in Eswatini that our artisans are alive and love what they do. With fun local music blasting from the speakers, our workers are consistently uplifted and provided with a happy work environment.
Provides a sense of doing good for consumers – Buying local, handcrafted goods that support others makes us feel good about our purchases. A 2012 survey found that 87 percent of American consumers felt that businesses should place at least as much weight on society’s interests as they do on business interests. That’s why all Khutsala Artisans shoppers can feel good about their purchase because on average, each Khutsala Artisan supports up to 13 people back at their homestead. This means that over 1,000 people are supported through Khutsala alone!
At Khutsala™ Artisans our goal is to provide people with beautiful designs that are not only unique and authentically African but are also excellent in quality.The initiative was created with the express purpose of generating funds that care for orphans and vulnerable children.In this process, we have been able to provide fair wage employment tomany local Swazis. These valuable employment opportunities have helped them to provide for their families and improve their quality of life.When you purchase our goods, you have a direct impact on the lives and livelihoods of so many in desperate need of HOPE and help.
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