Of course we like to buy handmade items because we appreciate the talent, artistry and care that goes into making handmade items. There’s something special about filling your home with things that are beautiful and handmade with skill. In my opinion, it’s far more appealing than bringing endless amounts of mass produced and characterless junk into your life.

So, while you may tend to buy handmade more often than not, have you made a conscious decision to buy handmade and support local artists? At buyhandmade.org. they challenge you to take the pledge to buy handmade. You’ll also find several very good reasons why buying handmade is a smart decision. You may even be able to use some of their ideas about the importance of handmade items in our society and our economy to help promote your own products and educate your customers.

I’ve never come across any mass produced soap that smells as great as handmade soaps. Lately I’ve been enjoying some amazing handmade soap from Sacred Circle Herbs. I came across their booth at a local art and craft show, and I’m convinced they had the best smelling booth at the show.

Right now I’m working on their Chocolate Mint soap. It’s one of the best chocolate soaps I’ve found because it’s not too chocolatey. The smell is distinct, yet it’s not too strong, so you don’t feel like you’re actually bathing in chocolate.

The Lemongrass Soap was my other purchase. It’s lemony, but also earthy; right now it’s sitting in my dresser making my clothes smell great.

Truth be told, I had originally planned to put these soaps away to give as gifts, but they kept calling my name. So much for early holiday shopping.

My friend Donna at Yellow Dog Greetings makes the best handmade cards. I really love the color combinations she chooses, and I just realized this morning, I’m starting to amass a collection of her cards! Her wedding cards are some of my favorites; they are just so much more personal than mass produced cards. I’m sending the Bella Bride card to my niece, who’s getting married in a couple of weeks.

Donna just posted the chocolate and blue wedding card. I love this card! It almost makes me want to get married all over again.