There is something about the intimate quality of handmade products, the realness and the everything I talked about yesterday. And, as we’ve discussed so many times here, there are a lot of good things about not making your own stuff all the freaking time.
A close second to taking the time to make your own products is buying them from people who are passionate about what they do, know their stuff, and are proud of the integrity their products. It’s a method of sharing, connecting, and – gosh-darned it – exchanging your hard-earned money for authentic goods.
I’ve had a really hard time waiting to share this with you guys (excited! YAY!):
Three of my favorite small handmade “beauty” businesses that I’ve recently fallen in love with.
I want to tell you about them, and THEN I want to give away two things: One humongous basket* of goodies from each of these handmade sellers, and one $50 gift certificate to one of them, as well. Here’s what the Basket of Love looks like!
Each of the sellers donated their fab wares to this basket (but the $50 gift certificate is from me, because I love you!), so be sure to check out their shops and support them if you have the means and the desire.
Without further ado …
Heal My Sole
You might have noticed, the beautiful owner Mary of Heal My Sole isn’t just an advertising supporter of Crunchy Betty over there on the right, but she’s also offering a special discount coupon of 10% just for Crunchy Betty readers (code Crunchy10).
For the Basket of Love giveaway, she’s contributed a wonderful soy massage candle, three lip balms, and a “Woodland Retreat” essential oil mist.
These are all wonderful things, but seriously: The product she built her business around, foot scrubs and other foot care products, are the most scrubbilicious things I’ve ever used on my feet.
She actually sent me a jar of her peppermint foot scrub to try, and it is heavenly.
Occasionally, I’ll run across a salt/oil scrub that blows my mind, and this is one of them. The oil to salt ratio is ingenious and the scent is relaxing and invigorating at the same time. After I use this stuff, my feet are soft (and if you’ve ever seen my leathery, second-shoe heels, you’ll understand that this is a miraculous feat).
No matter how hard I try, I can never achieve the perfection she’s found in this recipe.
Clever woman. Genius products. You will love them. Sigh.
Arabesque Aromas
We’ve tried our hands at making homemade perfume. To be honest, though, there is a difference between simple, easy handmade perfume and the sensuousness of handcrafted artisanal fragrances. And Arabesque Aromas offers an abundance of sensuous brilliance.
Here is the best part: Arabesque Aromas never, ever use synthetic fragrances.
I actually found this shop through a Heartsy deal, and before I even opened my box, I was smitten with the deep, mysterious scents wafting forth. (I ordered her perfume samples, just to see if I could find one that said, “Betty.”)
I did not find one that just said, “Betty.” I found one that seductively wrapped its gentle, warm arms around my neck and whispered huskily, “Betty, I am yours.” This temptress is called The Virgin and the Gipsy (which was inspired by the D.H. Lawrence novel of the same name).
Incredibly enough, Kristen offered to contribute a bottle of this masterpiece for the Basket of Love (retail value for this alone, by the way, is $75), along with two gorgeous beeswax votive candles in the Love Garden fragrance. It has taken all my willpower not to rip these votives open and burn them myself, they smell so much like springtime romance.
I didn’t want to unwrap them for the photos, for fear I’d never give them away. But, also, because they’re so beautifully packaged – and I want one of you to receive them just as they are.
Do, though, visit Arabesque Aromas for a good look at her romantic display of candles and perfumes.
I have to mention, too, my second favorite scent (and the perfect one for going into the spring with) – The Golden Bough. It’s more green and light than the Virgin and the Gipsy, but it carries with it a subtle sensuality, as well.
I cannot say enough about her art. Because that is what her perfumes are. Art.
And that is why I bought a $50 gift certificate to her store to share with one of you.
Moon Lave
I have both good and bad news for you all on this particular shop, Moon Lave. I received an email last night from the owner, Adana, stating that she has potential plans to discontinue selling her wares in the near future.
That is the bad news.
The good news is, she’s still selling her bomb bath cubes as of this moment, and I highly recommend them.
The contributions she’s sharing with the Basket of Love are numerous and mystical and (whether you win them or buy them) will take your relaxing bathtime to an entirely new spiritual level.
It will be a sad day when she stops selling these heartfelt, unique bath cubes. So many bath times will be starker because of it. (Hope you change your mind, lady!)
Would You Like to Win the Basket or the Gift Certificate?
Here’s how we’re going to do this giveaway.
To Win the Basket of Love:
Leave a comment and tell me you want the love. That is all you have to do. I’m not a fan of giveaways that make you jump through hoops, hit Facebook likes, and Tweet things. (But if you want to do those things for Crunchy Betty AND for these great sellers, it is definitely appreciated.)
- The winner of the products in the basket will be chosen randomly, using the random.org number generator.
- You MUST be in the United States in order to win the basket.
- You must be 18 years or older to win the basket.
- One entry per person.
- The winner will be drawn randomly on Monday, February 27th, 2012, around noon MST. I will inform the winner via email, so be sure to leave your real email address in your comment.
Again, included in the basket are:
- 1 bottle of The Virgin and the Gipsy Perfume by Arabesque Aromas
- 2 votive beeswax Love Garden candles by Arabesque Aromas
- 16 bath cubes in different scents by Moon Lave
- 2 bars of handcrafted soap by Moon Lave
- 3 lip balms (cherry, apple, and grape) from Heal My Sole
- 1 soy massage candle from Heal My Sole
- 1 bottle of Woodland Retreat fragrance mist from Heal My Sole
To Win the Arabesque Aromas $50 Gift Certificate:
Just by leaving a comment at all, you’re entered to win the gift basket. HOWEVER, if you’d like the Arabesque Aromas gift certificate, I’d like to hear your thoughts on something:
Leave a comment with your thoughts on whether or not you think it’s more desirable to buy handmade over cheaper, mass-produced items. Is there anything that keeps you from buying handmade? Do you take certain measures to try to buy handmade items as much as possible? If so, what are your favorites?
All I’m looking for is a relevant (and hopefully inspiring) comment on the joys of buying handmade items from small sellers. Do you have a favorite shop? A product that has been with you for years? Talk to me.
I’m going to sit down with one of my worldly friends and we will choose our favorite comment as the winner of the $50 gift certificate to Arabesque Aromas.
The only rules for this are:
- The winner can live anywhere in the world.
- The winner must be 18 years or older.
- Entries will close on Monday, February 27, at noon MST. Winner will be notified by Friday, March 2, 2012.
*I haven’t decided whether or not the actual PHYSICAL basket will be included along with the products. I rather like that basket, and it’s really, really heavy. My postman can only take so much. : ) But let’s just say right now: Don’t expect to receive the actual basket if you win, just the outstanding products. Cool? Cool.
Now go win some stuff!
Trust Yourself and Change the World
There is certainly a lot to find out about this topic.
I like all of the points you have made.
If you want to improve your familiarity simply keep visiting this site
and be updated with the hottest news posted here.
I want the love! Even with limited $ we try to buy local n handmade. I just feel better using it n I appreciate it more!
Love it!!! Want it!!! I love making products from scratch because you put your self into them! Also you know what is really in them. I love giving part of myself away to friends and family!!! But I still buy those kinds of special items from others because I know what they put into it!!!
So very sad I missed this one 🙁 But definitely going to check out the vendors!! Thank you so much for the information you share. I am loving your site!!
Did I win? LOL
lovely organics, wished i would have found you a bit earlier since i am on a low budget, but trying to make my own skin care now since i think some chemicals in something helped to give me skin cancer. thank you for all the good info on natural food on the face- olive oil , organic coconut, jojoba, dr bronners, dry exfoilating, making my own green juice(inner detox), and braggs apple cider vinegar seem to help me so far. peacelovemusic ,rhsc nyc
I’d love the love! I’ve been truly inspired by your blog and all the creative women in blogland, and I’m determined to make my own cosmetics and only support handmade products from now on. Thank you!!!
I want the love!
I’m sad I missed this by 2 days – Happy Leap Day!
I want the love! These products look and sound amazing. It is so worth putting your money where your mouth and heart is to buy homemade/ natural products
I want the love!
I am just now really getting into handmade items. Having a two year old with eczema and digestions issues has made me really hone in on ingredients that can help keep her healthy, which usually means natural=expensive. Sellers who create their own homemade products seem to keep their prices relatively low and I know I’m getting best ingredients from these individual sellers, rather than corporations who care more about quantity and less about quality. In my search to help my daughter, I have found a bunch of information to help myself, too! These homemade products are awesome, and can be tailored easily to fit personal needs. I only wish I was more creative and patient to be able to do the same things!
Hit me with some basket love, sister!
Posted on Crunchy Betty’s FB wall at 11pm, Monday 2/27, because I am a yape who cannot follow instructions:I want the love, Crunchy Betty. The part of my brain that responds to scent is super excited!!
Please Betty, can I play? You would not believe how many people have repinned your ryangosling meme about Pinterest, pjs and foot massage via me. xoxoxo
Am I too late? I would love to feel the love? And, it’s always preferable for me to use handmade over industrially processed. We have to support each other, for one thing, and there’s just something more personal about handmade – commercially produced is just cold.
Yes Yes Yes!!!!! Me me me!!!! *Waving hand in the air so much that everyone can smell the beautiful musk of my pits*** To answer your question, I buy hand made when it’s available, but I rarely use online shopping for hygene things. I am a very loyal customer and tend to stick to what I know, that said, I am always looking for new things to fill in the gaps in my routine. My major setback is that I like to smell, hold and look at new products prior to purchase, and it’s impossible to do that on an anline store. A lot of the best hand made stuff never makes it to a brick and mortar store. I hope I win, then I am sure to find some new favorite must haves! PS: I recently found your website and it’s wonderful. After years of using TGel on my itchy, dry, painful and flaky scalp for marginal results, I tried some olive oil. I was stunned. all of my scalp issues went away with the first use. My looooooooooong hair is much happier and my scalp isnt making me miserable. THANK YOU!
I want the love!
[email protected]
Love the love! Sounds awesomly amazing! (Not sure if afternoon, but I am also having computer issues, actually I normally use desktop no longer available so getting by.)
As for the handmade or store, I always try my hardest to support local. I know it can be more expensive, but ususally it is because of better ingridents and no chemicals. My family goes out of their way everyweek to support the local stores, even if it might be more expensive than say, buying at safeway or ordering online. We pay for the local convince and keep them in business, especially if it is just a dollar or two. We have stocked up on locally made soaps, from goats milk that we have pet. We pay a whole lot more for local honey as the season is so short here in Alaska. We root for the little guy, the woman starting a new business, and even if we can’t afford a more expensive item we may want (like how the perfume sounds amazing!) I often will buy a smaller item just for support (why I have so much soap lol) In the end, its about the people behind the product for us, not just the best price or deal. Large companies have plenty of fans and consumers, whereas locally, they know my name and I know that the 5 dollars might be used to make something for their granddaughter. 🙂
Bring on the love! 🙂 Thank you for this opportunity.
I enjoy buying handmade any day over mass produced when I can find a product I love. I have recently made a purchase from http://www.GoodEarthEssentials.com on her Etsy site. I am thrilled to find a personal body supply store that is all natural.
Also, being a crafter I understand the devotion, time, and investment it takes to make and supply a product. I have so much admiration and respect for those who put themselves out there to make our lives better with their products. The least I can do is support those efforts.
Love is what it’s about! Pick me, pick me!
Oh I hope I’m not too late for this!
I love homemade products and genuinely believe they are superior to mass-produced stuff. I make as much of my own stuff as I can and it feels great to support others who are doing the same. Usually homemade products are chemical and synthetics free not to mention made with a whole lot of tlc!
I want the love, I also think hand made products have love put into them because if people didn’t love what they were doing the would not be doing it at home in there spare time. Love homemade products!
Yes I want the Love….. I love love!!!. and I am a big fan of handmade. I make it, and buy it. And am proud of it.
I want the love!!
I would love love love to win the gift basket!! There have been some things that I have desperately missed since adopting the crunchy lifestyle, and perfume and candles have been up there.
I would love to by all handmade stuff….unfortunately sometimes the budget just isn’t there. But I read some advice somewhere that I try and stick by. The philosophy of the the people/company who makes the things you use should match the philosophy that you have, because those products are going to work best for you. I try and research things and talk to people and see what they are about.
That basket looks awesome, who wouldn’t want it! Such an awesome giveaway.
As for buying handmade items, I definitely prefer handmade over mass produced. One reason is that all of the handmade soaps I’ve bought have been from local sellers at farmer’s markets. I love helpin small businesses out and especially supporting local small businesses. A big bonus is being able to talk to the owner about what goes into their soaps an why it’s beneficial. As I’ve started out only Crunchy Betty lifestyle, I love finding products that are natural and don’t have the harsh chemicals ad additives that a lot of commercial products do. It makes me feel like I’m helping my body out by using ingredients that nurture it instead of stripping it, much like choosing good natural healthy foods and exercising does for the inside of my body.
I want the basket of love! It looks amazing!
I would love the Love Basket and have (for a long time at least) preferred natural or homemade stuff. Sorry, that’s about all I can come up with right now after spending a long weekend taking care of my sick toddler. Boo.
I want the love!
I’m a transitioning crunchy so I make the extra effort to seek out handmade products or to try to just make them myself most of the time. Sometimes it’s not really budget friendly but I think it’s worth it to know that the product was made with care and/or healthy ingredients.
I want the love <3 <3 <3
I SO WANT THE LOVE!! I just discovered your site and cannot wait to start making and using all these goodies and ideas and making my life healthier and greener. Thank you for showing me the LOVE!!
I would love this!!
I love buying homemade things more than commercially made things because handmade things are made with love instead of machines.
I definitely want the love!! 🙂
Honestly, I was too big on the buying handmade items idea but my older sister pushed on with it. It seemed like a waste to me since no matter what you do, you’d always have food that is big on the chemicals, as I thought before, so clean-living (as we call it now) was not something I thought important. It seemed expensive to me but she was buying, so why not? A couple of weeks later and my life had changed dramatically, to say the least. It was as if starting with homemade facial cleansers turned into shampoos and then body creams and then…eveyrthibg. From buying one homemade item, my whole life changed. Greens are now my besties, both for my external body surface and for the internal yumminess too. I juice every morning, clean my face with food, wash my hair with honest products…
When you think of honesty and integrity, you don’t think to apply those qualities to strangers and especially not to products. Well I do now!! I apply it to all the strangers that make such wholesome and beautifully crafted products, and to all the products I use.
My favorite right now, which was what I started with, comes from One Love Organic. I die for their four main products: easy does it, skin savior, brand new day, love springs eternal. I’m currently trying out their morning glory and a free sample of a lip balm they’ll release soon.
It’s been such a dramatic change that my has taken hold of my life that everyone can see. I naturally have very good skin and hair, but so many people comment on how radiant I look now, how fresh and different. Even strangers have stopped me on the street and twice in restaurants to comment on the noticeable healthy look my general appereance gives off.
Buying homemade items hasn’t just changed my life by makin me look better. I’ve gained much more: a tight community of homegoods supporters and a feeling of empowerment and positiveness I didn’t have before. As you can tell from how I used to think, positive wasn’t the word I’d use to describe that old me; but that’s also changed. So imagine, it’s even changed my outlook on life. Sonmuch so that I plan on eventually opening my own homemade goods store with my sister.
To say buying homemade goods has changed my life is putting it lightly.
Thank you so much for all your posts and this wonderful opportunity. And for wanting us to express ourselves.
~Andrea lopez
Greeting from Minnesota 😀
Not gonna lie, I wouldn’t mind a little love (;
This is my third day following you after I ran across your
homemade deodorant recipe on Thursday, and have spent my entire weekend creepin
and being inspired by the way you have learned to live. My mother for the past
year has been battling a round of Lyme’s disease and is extremely sensitive to
chemicals as a result so I have been de-chemicalizing our house and must say, you
have absolutely wonderful ideas and recipes. Not to mention it’s a blast to
read your blog- you’re absolutely a HOOT!
In discussing homemade vs. mass produced- For me, I don’t
let cost be an issue. How can you possibly put a price on the magic of using
products made by the handy work of all these beautiful people who sacrifice
time out of their day to make something that is not only pleasing to the mind,
but is healing to the soul? For me, getting a homemade gift is like swinging
open the blinds of your living room window on a bright summer morning and
feeling the sunshine pour in. It just means so much more. The only thing I buy
from the big stores is food and a few essentials I haven’t found a way to make
myself (toilet paper, toothbrushes lol etc.) I’m a pretty simple girl so for
me, a few new things every month or so are enough to feed my desires. I
actually work at a little gift shop that sells such wonderful creations made by
local and out of state artists and I am always treating my friends to some of
the great things we have there. And honestly I couldn’t tell you a favorite of
mine if I tried- there are so many! I will say thought that I am a huge fan of Sydney Hale’s soy candles and a local lady (blanking on her name sorry) who makes soaps that smell so good i wanna eat them. All in all, when looking at
your daily delectables, there’s always that one ingredient no mass production
company could ever add even if they wanted to..
And that’s LOVE~
-Jeannie
I want the love!! <3
I definitely believe that it is more desirable to buy and use handmade products instead of mass-produced products. I believe that when a person makes a product by hand, whether it is a bath and beauty product, jewelry, or anything else, their creative energy becomes stored in the item and bestows good vibes upon the user/wearer. Mass produced products are so impersonal, and also contain many harsh chemicals that I simply do not want to put anywhere on my body! The only downside to buying handmade items is that they are oftentimes more expensive than their assembly-line created counterparts.
I love all the stuff in the LotionsandPotions etsy shop; they have everything from handsoap to solid perfume, and it all smells amazing. 🙂
[email protected]
I want the LOVE!
I have recently started using more homemade products. I would love to try more. BTW, I am using your Oil method and really really love it. (I live at 8000 feet and it is dry dry dry up here!) But I have been traveling. You should see all I do to make sure my little bottle of oil makes it with me without loosing half of it. That’s how much I enjoy it! 🙂
Definitely in the mood for some love! Everything sounds fantastic! Even if I don’t win, I will be checking out these shops with my next paycheck, fo sho.
I just found your site this morning and it appears just in time, I want the love!
As a newcomer to making my own products, the only thing I can say is that I enjoy the care that goes into each product. That, and the fact that you’re not putting some weird chemicals all over your body . . . Yuck!
I would love the love… I’m just now venturing into making beauty products..I am very addicted to home made anything!
I want the love, I need the love! You were just recently recommended by a friend, and I’ve been recommending you to crunchy friends and relatives! My 10 year old dgtr. had been eying a craft book of mine on homemade soaps, and professed her desire to make them for Christmas. After my momentary panic at only finding chemically adultrated glycerin bars at the craft shops, I got a better deal (on 11 lbs.!) online. We added essential oils (lemon or orange) and everyone (we made lots!) thought they were fabulous (and blessedly easy to make in small batches. Small silicone Jell-o molds were absolutely perfect – much more appropriate than for food!).
I am in love with homemade and become more so every day. I have a favorite soap from a local gal here in town as I’m not ready to jump into soap making yet. But I’m starting to experiment with lotions and scrubs and learning as much as I can about essential oils.
like everyone else, i would love the love! thank you Crunchy Betty for sharing your knowledge, passion, and joy with us!! : )
I want the love!!!!
I have recently become very interested in homemade products that you actually know the ingredients in them. When I was younger and single price did matter. I always bought the cheapest stuff to get me by. But now I have a family and children who I want the very best for and I worry often over lables and ingredients of everything from what goes in their tummies to what goes on their skin. The natural the better…the least ingredients the better in my opinion.
Ohh my goodness how gracious of you to offer all of these amazing goodies! Can we do this every week??? haha lol you may end up broke if you did that. Everything looks so pretty all wrapped up! I recently have started to delve more onto using different essential oils and have been shocked at the various benefits reaped. I think that homemade products emit that loving energy that something made in China just doesn’t have. You know that for that item to be made that person did nothing but focus their entire energy and being to make it what it is today. That resonates with me. I love your blog and find myself not cleaning the house like I should because I am too busy reading about making household cleaning products! LOL. Thank you for sharing and I look forward to seeing more of your wonderful posts!
Oh please I want all of the love! Could never afford it by myself 🙂 And love your site! I have been washing my face with honey for about a week now. Haven’t gathered the courage for no ‘poo but working up to it. Thanks so much for all the time you put in this.
I want the love! I need the love!
I want the love!
As I am new to the Community and posting. I am not full of wit-yet I have become the go-to for sugar scrubs thanks to all of your hard work and research. So I want to continue to feel the love and will share the yummies with my friends. Thanks for helping me to share and find something I am really enjoying.
I would LOVE to have the love!
Handmade all the way! Preferable anything you can buy at a public market. I love being able to conversate with the people who make the products they’re selling. So much love and passion for what their doing. It’s like you can feel that their trying to change the world! Trying to help people to be healthier! Trying to share the love of what they’ve learned!
My favorite things to buy are local essential oils! They’re are great to add to any of your own recipes and Man do they make you feel goooood!
Oh the basket of love please – been feeling under the weather these past few weeks and this would certainly lift my spirits. 🙂
So glad I found your beautiful and informative blog! I hope you’ll check out mine when you have a chance: http://www.herbalremediesforskeptics.blogspot.com. It’s for people who love humor and health and want to see me torture my skeptical husband by making him try holistic remedies and practices. I definately plan on making him use only clean body care products soon.
Sharing this kind of love with everyone is so important to our bodies and souls. It’s what makes us live longer and healthier. To find companies that are looking to help us be pure from chemically made ingredients is amazing. I thank all of those who share in taking the time to make such wonderful products! Natural is not about price, but about feeling good and living a healthy life.
Thanks for sharing and having the giveaway.
As a full time workin’ proud momma of a toddler, anything that provides a bit of TLC my way would be pretty amazing! I live in a pretty diverse area so many of my neighbors and I trade homemade goods or babysitting favors to keep the hustle of living in a city do-able.
I feel dirty when I buy mass produced items but as a mommy doing a long commute + working from 6 am to sometimes 8 or 9 pm (luckily my daughter is with me on my nights) I sometimes bow to the exhaustion and grab what’s familiar and or quick.
To be fair all of my friends & some family have noticed my slow crunchy tansition. Some are impressed and the rest think I’m crazy. However my mom liked your book so much she used a recipie or two for herself! I am turning a few I think.
Next weekend I plan on tackling homemade laundry det & the yarn dryer balls. I stopped using fabric softener & replaced it with vinegar. Vinegar & baking soda are taking over my house now. I love it!
To be honest I would never buy these things for myself. I work in a school of kids in poverty so most of my free cash goes to little rewards, incentives, etc to keep them on the right track. Some of my recent graduates went from spending 8th grade at the bottom of their class to studying at
UNC Chapel Hill. I am not a miracle worker. I can’t save every kid. A former student last week was murdered and she was only 20. I try to change the world as much as I can but trust me, reading your blog inspires me to do more.
Thank you for being so honest & candid about what you do. You are making a positive difference.
I want the love!
I love to buy handmade but for body products I have to be able to trust the seller. Actually, I’d prefer to make it all myself! I bought all handmade hats, scarves and mittens for my kids this winter and these super-cute handmade wrist warmers for me (mine were grey):
http://www.etsy.com/listing/91532929/kelly-green-wrist-warmers-peacock
The only times I hold back on buying handmade is when I can’t be very certain of the quality. I bought some really cute knitted items that fell apart almost immediately.
You are AMAZING! I am probably the biggest fan of your website. When i say obsessed, I mean obsessed. I check every single day, sometimes a few times to see if you posted anything new, as well as search the archives for new incredible recipes! To be able to potentially win this prize would be an honor and an incredible source of joy! Oh, and to answer your question: I will always choose handmade products over anything commercially made. Whether it is made by me, a friend, or a stranger. Homemade is the way to go!
You are
I want the love!
I love buying handmade thing. I think it is much more personal and usually better quality over mainstream mass produced things. I like knowing that someone took the time and effort to make something that they can be proud of and I am paying them for that effort rather than paying for some machine to spit a hundred million of some random thing made as cheep and quick as possible.
I like homemade over mass produced because I like the idea that a real human being cared about the outcome and the quality. A mass produced product isn’t like that….some machine spits out the product, wraps it up and then ships it to Walmart. Ewww.
I want the love!
Just telling you I want the love!
I would love the love!
I want the love!!!!
erinpiker at gmail dot com
Soooo want the love!! I just discovered your blog in the last week and it’s so inspiring! I will be a regular visitor!
I would love to win the gift basket! I like handmade things more because the quality is so much better! Love your blog by the way! My little sister turned me on to it!
I would love all the items! I try to buy homemade most of the time, if I can afford to. I am also trying to only give homemade (by me) gifts this year, or interesting yard sale finds – makes you think harder about what to give
I want the LOVE!!! Thanks for the great giveaway.
I want the love! I have been making my own deodorant and lotions for a few months now, thanks to your website! I am a student but I feel its important to make choices to pick products that are good for me and the environment, so I spend the extra money to get quality body care.
I want the love!!! Been wanting to post for a few months and was driven to doing it now by the awesome sounding products in the basket. I have enjoyed your site for a while and it is my first go to place when looking for natural ideas, recipes and info. Thanks and keep up the good work.
I need the love… I am a botanist, candle burning, eau~natural kind of girl that would appreciate all the amazing high quality artisan love this gift has to offer…I personally know the owner of Arabasque Aromas and therefore know first hand her scents in any form are wonderful…whether the gift paper the candles are wrapped in or the candle themselves or a specific eau de toilette made just for your special uniqueness! Please do share!
Yup! Would love to win some of this glorious crunchy booty.
I love homemade products, particularly stuff that’s local minnesota made. There are a bunch of products that our co-op carries in the personal care section, and I love trying out the stuff that’s made nearby, and especially if they have very little packaging. My favorite is soap and body bars that are made here that only have 4 ingredients… nothing icky, and it’s helped me continue my own version of no poo!
I want the love!!
I am new to this crunchy goodness, I fell upon your blog through (none other than) pinterest! I am trying to deviate away from the mass-produced products that poison our bodies and use sustainable, healthy, natural alternatives. So far, I have made laundry and dishwasher detergents, shampoo, body wash, YOUR awesome aspirin mask & toner, and deodorant! My daughters LOVE helping me and getting involved.
We used to shop at Boll Weevil Soap Company, in Enterprise, AL (http://stores.homestead.com/bwsoap/StoreFront.bok) until we had to relocate for the Army (my hubby is active duty). “Sweet Home Alabama” was one of my favorite scents! And anytime family or friends would come into town to visit, it was a MUST to take them here to get some fresh, handmade goodies. I love splurging on the “good stuff”, it makes pampering myself, and others, feel that much more special. Mass produced=BORING! Handmade/Homemade=Unique, special, and filled with thought and love!
Thank you for your blog, your honesty, your humor, and your dedication to healing the body (especially acne) naturally. I’ve had acne my whole life as a young woman (I’m now 28-acne began in my teens). I can honestly say, that this is the first time that I’ve felt like I was in control of my skin!
I want the love 😀
Being completely broke makes it difficult to not rely on cheap mass-produced items (or generally go without!), but, as this blog so eloquently (and creatively) points out, many of the things we think we ‘need’ aren’t actually necessary (shampoo, for instance). I have been trying to make it a goal of mine to focus my spending on quality items, especially those where you get a sense of fulfillment by supporting a fellow entrepreneur, and figure out where I can reduce quantity to make up for it. So in short, price keeps me from buying organic or handmade often, but when I can (such as for presents, or something special) I try to buy handmade from the venders at the Urban Craft Uprising, or other fairs (half the fun is not knowing what you are going to find!), and a couple of my favorites are http://www.blackphoenixalchemylab.com/, and http://auntruthiescountrykitchen.com/zencart/
Oh yes I want the love! Such a beautiful basket 🙂
Yes I believe it is more desirable to buy anything uniquely handmade over cheap mass produced chem stuff. I’m always on the lookout for unique things because I’m unique and like having things that aren’t creepy carbon copy twins everyone else has. If it’s massed produced I don’t want it and no longer buy it!
I’m starting to make my own things so they are unique. Special one – of -a – kind items to me are the way to go when you wish to give gifts. Honestly no one really wants the same vanilla creme candle you got for your sister during Christmas. To me this kind of a gift isn’t a thing you’d give a friend or loved one since each are special and mean something different to you. You’d spend some time searching for “the gift” for each. sadly this is fast becoming the norm for holidays. What happened to actually shopping for each person?? I dunno, but I do hope by next year it does make a return and the trend in buying individual handmade gifts also return.
Take care of each other namaste
~Nadimoon
Show me the love!!! I am new to The Crunchy Betty site, my friend Angel told me about it. I am hooked. have told several people. Went out yesterday and purchased the oil and herbs for my hot oil treatment, and bought some extra honey today to wash my face. Have long been an advocate for Natural health and beauty. Thank You, Betty.
I do think it’s more desirable to buy handmade over massproduced items. But that doesn’t mean that I always do… I’m still a product junkie, and sometimes the pretty commercials and the airy promises of commercial companies (or just my curiosity) get the best of me. But I like to think that I’ve become more aware of the differences between handmade and commercial, and I’m not as easily swayed any more by the glossy ads. My journey into crunchyness began with my hair. I have long hair (close to tailbone length) and I wanted to take better care of it. I joined a forum online full of likeminded people, and was suddenly introduced to a whole new world. Before, I had never known what sodium laureth sulfate (SLS) was, and I’d never questioned the fact that it seemed to be a main ingredient in pretty much every commercial shampoo. Encouraged, I began researching more of my options and discovered shampoo bars, condition only washing, and the no-shampoo-at-all method, among others. Some I’ve tried, and some I’ve not, but I like knowing that they exist, and that if I want to, I’m free to try them. This consciousness has now moved on to most other aspects of my body care, and now, most times when I’m tempted by a new commercial product, I instead try to think ‘Don’t you have anything in your Etsy wishlist you’d rather want to try than this?’ (Etsy being my main source for handmade items). The answer is usually ‘yes’, and I know that’s kept me from buying commercial products that I’m sure would have disappointed me.As for drawbacks of handmade products, the only thing I can think of is the price of shipping. I live in Norway, and international shipping prices aren’t exactly friendly. That’s no fault of the sellers, though. The positive things? Everything else! I’ve never come across more awesome sellers than on Etsy, and their customer service has, without exception, rivalled and excelled what I’ve come across in my local shops. My favourite place to shop is probably Sweet Creek Herbs on Etsy, even though I’ve come across many other wonderful sellers. SCH is my main source of shampoo bars for my hair, and it’s a treat whenever I have enough money to place an order.
So I just discovered your website yesterday when I was searching for a new bathroom cleaner. I tried your “Best Ever Bathroom Cleaner” today and I am ADDICTED!! My bathroom has never smelled so good. And, I’ve now spent the past hour going through all of your site looking for more things to make and try.
As with everyone else, I would LOVE to win the basket and/or the gift card. But, irregardless, you have a new fan to the site!
I want the love!
I buy handmade as much as I can, when it’s something I can’t make (or haven’t learned how to make yet, I am forever the optimist!). I try to go local when I can, or shop online or on etsy for handmade when I can’t.
yahoo! i am not a new convert to handmade products, but i am a new crunchy betty reader. i have started oil cleansing and have stopped using shampoo. i always try to buy handmade, and locally if possible. this commitment started in the world of food, but is expanding into all aspects of my life. i bought a house last year and am trying to nest, love the idea of having nice products to support this. thanks for the great website! i would love to win the basket or gift certificate!
Love Love Love!!!
Recently I’ve come to your page for some refreshing ideas on old commodities. I received a Christmas gift this year from my sister in law who made your mason jar picture frames and fell in love with their uniqueness. I’ve also recently joined the elite ranks of stay at home mommy and have started making my own stuff around the house; not only help the pocketbook but to also boost my creativity. Body scrubs and lip balms are one thing but making your own laundry soap and deodorant- theres something magical in the mix!! Some people tend to look at you as some new age hippie if you don’t buy mainstream but I find a certain satisfaction in creating something that works better and is better for you and your family than a name brand.
Thanks for not making us offer you seventeen expressions of online adoringness. I would love the love! Thanks!
Even though I’m not young, this is just the start of my turning to natural and homemade products. I recently found this website through Pinterest and have been receiving your emails. I was on my lunch break when you sent out the email “Trust yourself and change the world”. I was so enthralled by it that my coworkers asked what had my attention. At first I didn’t want to share because I thought they would think I’m nuts, but I read it to them and it was a great conversation starter! I’m not sure if it touched them as much as me, but it really hit home for me. Looking forward to taking my time to scour your website for all of your ideas. Thanks for sharing your passion which is igniting mine!
Oh please, I want love!
And I must say, yes, people ought to purchase handmade things. Where have we gone wrong in this society that we so cleave to factory made, chemical-laden junk because a plastic person in an advertisement told us her backside was firmer because of it? People who are actual humans put thought, love and their sweat (well, hopefully not literally.) into things they’ve made themselves and we know the quality that goes into using real ingredients instead of a science experiment for the masses. I wish I were more able to trade goods with peeps, but I do not know of very many who are into hand-making their wares, unfortunately. Let’s be people who encourage exchanging, trading and being proud to put our names on quality products!
I want the love! 😀 All of the things you tell us about in your posts & the recipes & things I learn are invaluable! As far as handmade vs. mass-produced, I do prefer handmade, but sometimes the prices are out of my reach. I know that it is how they make their money & they have to account for their time & supplies & such, but my slightly-higher-than-minimum-wage part time job doesn’t always allow for handmade all the time. I try to buy mass-produced that are safe & natural if I can, and try to research before I actually buy.
I’d love the basket of love 🙂
As for your question, yes, it’s more desirable to buy handmade and
organic products. However, along with many others here, it’s often a
question of budget as well as time. I’m just now beginning to get into
the whole “crunchy” thing so it’s been about a 2-month process here!
Some things I’ve made from recipes on here have worked, while others
have disappointed me. But overall I’m loving the push AWAY from
chemicals going inside my body or through my skin. It’s been an
interesting experience making my own handmade things as well as
purchasing items from websites like Mountain Rose Herbs and Chagrin
Valley Soap and Salve.
I must say, you had me at “handmade” and had my nose and skin tingling with every crunchy word!!
My mother owns a cookie shop/bakery in NM, so I was raised on homemade, delicious desserts. Made from scratch, just like most of the wonderful things you teach us about! My mom hosts local artists every month, and practically everything sold in her shop is made by someone within a 20 minute drive. As the daughter who lives out of town, I always love walking into the shop to explore all the new handmade arts displayed around the rooms. Quite often, I am tempted to invest in them myself because of their wonderful uniqueness! When I’m lucky enough to be there for the artist events, I love sitting down and talking about what they do, hearing the passion in their voices, and touching all their glorious wares. Thank you for sharing a little more of that homemade-ness with all of us crunchy fans!!
I want all the love!
Cheers,
amberehrlich at gmail dot com
Send me some luxury! I’ve never used fancy salts or anything but I sure would love to. I’ve bought Deoderant and hair stuff from oyin before, and tried shampoo bars but could never get them to work for me. Definitely inspired to find some homemade shampoo when my current bottle is empty.
Some love, please!
Oh yes! I absolutely adore handmade over cheaper, mass-produced items. Although sometimes I wonder how much time I would save by squirting out some gooey gel that promises to forever eliminate blackheads or wrinkles or even both! But I absolutely love using handmade products (especially on my face) because they make me feel safe and clean and oh boy, do I love the sweet smell of honey and oatmeal on my face! The other stuff is cheaper, which reflects the value and promise. Honestly, the only thing that prevents me from buying handmade is the big price tag. My alternative is actually making the handmade product, if I can. As much as I can I stay away from all that mass produced junk, and I love great deals on handmade stuff. My favorite handmade products are face products or soaps. 🙂
I like buying handmade, or making my own.
Like everyone else, I’ve had to make some major cutbacks on products I buy. I’ve had to go from mindless purchases when I needed a quick fix to make myself feel better, to taking the time to “check” myself and see if the product I want is actually something that I need. At first I was feeling sorry for myself…what do you mean no more Dior? Now, I see it as a blessing. I’ve had to rediscover my local community and see where my money actually goes and meet the people that my purchase impacts. Not only is this good for the vendor, the community and the environment, it’s also great for me. I’ve been able to make some great connections, not only with the supplier but with other fans of buying local. This now has gone from buying handmade soaps/lotions to buying local foods, wines and furniture. My favorite place to shop? Our Eugene Saturday Market.
I want the love!
I want the love! I support the love!
Sure, I want the love. On the other hand I have lots of love, so if I win, you can donate my love to a nearby women’s shelter so they can have some love too! They probably need some good homemade love more than I do. Besides I am newly trying to make my own products thanks to my recent discovery of Crunchy Betty and her fantastic recipes! I have been using the OCM and homemade deodorant for a week now and I love it. But I am concerned that if I were to receive this abundance of love, it might hamper my own efforts and making stuff on my own.
I do enjoy buying homemade soaps and other things, especially at local craft fairs. I think the products are superior because they are unique and I can select exactly the item that I like the best, rather than one of something with a thousand other mass-produced clones running around. I also appreciate that they are healthier and presumably made from ingredients that are better for me and the environment. I also think it is great to give away homemade things because so much more time, love, care and respect go into making the item and that gets passed along to the recipient.
I want the love 😉
I’m a fairly new follower of this blog, in fact I just started the Honey cleanse. I have very sensitive skin and have had surgeries on my eye which have made many products unusable. I adore the idea of using actual products from nature that have not been poisoned by a large corporation. I try and want to buy more local/homemade, but find that more difficult during the winter months. Most of the nearby “shops” are boutique and high end which is not in my single mom/student budget. I look forward to the summer markets and festivals to shop homemade wares. ♥ (miccahk@charte:disqus r.net)
Oh yes, please, I would like the love.
I bought some handmade olive oil soap off Etsy once, and it was amazing. I went back for more and had trouble finding the seller. I love the idea of buying homemade, but I think it requires a special trust relationship between seller and buyer. If the seller is willing to answer emails and tell you all about how she makes her wares and everything that is in them, that makes for a really good situation. I’m willing to pay more for that. ideally, I’d like to buy handmade from people I know in real life… but I don’t know any, so maybe that means I need to start making some stuff myself. 🙂
I want the love! I need the love! I think buying handmade over cheaper, mass-produced items is an obvious choice for anyone. Whenever there is something labeled “Handmade!” or “Organic!” your average person would look at it and see that as a bonus. Now, whether or not it’s actually organic and natural is another story! But the point I’m making is that whether your conscious about it or not, handmade is definitely more desirable. If the non-crunchy people saw on the front label what actually was in that product, they’d turn away. Things like “Cancer!” and “Incredibly Toxic!” would most definitely turn them off. As for someone like me who is semi-crunchy at the moment (I just started reading your blogs), I am trying my hardest right now to buy handmade, or make them myself even. For now, the one thing that keeps me from buying homemade is the fact that I haven’t bought any ingredients to make my own products. Although, I did just call a local beekeeper and found the courage to ask if he sold beeswax. He was confused as to why I wanted it, but he said he would try and get me some by Monday or Tuesday! I am so excited. Especially since I have this huge bruise on my arm. Ouch! Daisy salve… here I come! I am also very blessed to have a husband who supports me in this. Now… whether or not I can get him to try some of these things might be another story! He really loves his deodorant. I do try to make as many measures as I can to buy things that aren’t toxic. My favorite thing I have right now (that I bought) is Aubrey Organic’s acne line. I definitely want to start putting food on my face though! Yum! Thank you for this wonderful blog! This is my first time posting and I plan on posting more 🙂 My email is [email protected] and congrats to the winner! Win or lose, I might have to buy some of this anyways!
I’m just now embarking on the natural/homemade side of things. I just made my own laundry detergent this week so now I’m inspired to try other things. Since I’m a newbie at this my reason for not buying homemade lotions etc. was that they were pricy and being a couponing person (not in the TLC Extreme Couponing way but a “we have 4 kids and one income kind of way) it seemed like a splurge. However-since I’ve come across your website I can truly see how cost effective, safe and fun MAKING your own cleaners, etc. can be. I also just ordered some organic ACV today too-yea me 🙂
I want the love!!!
Whenever I think of Moving to the states,one of the first things that come to mind is being able to buy from and support awesome organic companies.unfortunately I love in Saudi Arabia and the closest to organic they get here is the body shop. I try to get my products from the state but to say it’s hard would be an understatement! I would love to make my own products of I had the ingredients and know how! I just discovered you blog recently btw and I love it!
I want some love!
I love handmade products — it is so great to buy good quality products made with simple ingredients from people who are passionate about what they do. I love talking to the crafters– they have such a positive attitude and I always walk away with a great product and a smile.
Oh, I want the love! So much!
I love the homemade stuff. Is it more desirable? Most of the time. It depends on the thing for me. The biggest barrier for me in buying handmade goods is a combination of price and location. I have a *really* hard time buying expensive things with scent sight unsmelled and beauty products I can’t test. There aren’t a lot of handmade goods out where I am. I am very very lucky to have a handmade soap shop near enough that I can go and paw through all the different kinds. It is heavenly! I’m hoping to get more adventurous in my purchases when I am not a student.
Love the love, want the love, crave the body-nurturing, soul-lifting, mind-soothing love!
I adore your blog. Thanks for the inspiration and the….love! ~ Love, Anne ~
{[email protected]}
I love buying handmade. You’re much more likely to know what is in the products that you’re buying. PLUS, you’re helping out small business owners who are making money to do real life things like buy food for their familes and put clothes on their backs. There’s just something special about buying handmade – the time and care that the person puts into their product is really a lost art. I buy a lot of things from etsy. My kids have had several toys , blankets and such over the years from shops like Beneaththerowantree, tiddlywinks and gigglegarden. Handmade items just have more heart in my opinion and just mean more because someone has put THEIR heart and time into making them…
I ssoooo want the LOVE!
I want the loovve 🙂 crunchy/natural goodness love
Recently just moving into a lil farm house with 20 acres I have BIG plan! This is where my Grandchildren will visit me!! I have started gathering so much information for what to put where how big of buildings for how many chickens, will I ever be able to eat a pet!?, so many books and sights and craziness. Alas, I am getting somewhere…me and my family inside my house you wonder?? We are Crunchy Betty-ing it up, somethings are a little harder to sell to the hubby then the toddler, but hey I am taking what I can get! Love your insight, love your wisdom, and LOVE your bodycare recipies. Just one lil giel looking to reduce her footprint and live like things where simple and wholesome again! I plan to plant a bazillon roses so anyone who visits me will have time to “stop and smell ’em” Great days to all! Thanks for the giveaway, Congrats to the winner! [email protected]
I want the LOVE!
I love handmade over mass produced because integrity tends to be stronger in smaller companies and I know they are made by people that truly believe in the product. What keeps me from buying more handmade? Usually, cost. I don’t buy the mass produced item though, we either go without or I figure out how to make it myself.
I just found your site a couple of days ago and am so glad! I have learned so much.
Of course I want the love! A friend turned me onto your blog and I have been in love with it since. I’ve been making my own salt scrubs for years, but I’ve gotten so many ideas here. Getting ready to make my first batch of laundry detergent.
I want the love! You just can’t beat handmade and the care that goes into it!
I want the love!
It all sounds wonderful! Thanks for the great giveaway 🙂
I want the love!
I absolutely find it desirable to buy homemade products. First, you know that the ingredients going in are natural and aren’t going to give you cancer 30 years down the line (unless of course the maker is some crazy scientist) Second, it’s nice to reward those people that have a love for creating something with their hands, by purchasing their product. Without those people, we would all be stuck shopping at Wal-Mart and Target and that just makes me want to throw up a little in my mouth. And Third, your just way cooler with homemade products!
My biggest problem buying homemade would probably be accessibility. Unfortunately, businesses that set up shop locally, tend to not last very long. This leads to online shopping which is all fine and dandy, but it’s hard to test a product or smell a scent through the computer screen (where’s that crazy scientist? Maybe they can get to work on that). At the end of the day, if I find a homemade product that I’ve tried and love, they will have a customer for life. Without trying a product first, I guess I’m stuck at the only check line that’s open at some big box store down the street. Seriously, why have 15 registers, if you only open 2?
Well, I’m certainly not going to say that I don’t want the love 🙂 I’ve been making my own bath products/beauty care products for years, but it would be nice to just relax and pamper myself with something I didn’t have to create myself. It’s great fun to make your own products, but sometimes one wants to try something new, correct?
I’d love the love. who wouldn’t love more love?
Shoot – with all the excitement over handmade products, I forgot to leave my email address (looks like a lot of commenters did the same thing – we’re all a little over-excited about good products, apparently). I’m new to commenting in this system and not sure if it shows up with my name, but it’s:
rebecca and all that entails @ gmail (all one loooong word)
I want the love! Clearly I’m not the only one. 🙂
As for handmade products – YES! Really, I’d rather make my own than buy them, just because of the price tag and my current lack of fundage. But. When I’m too lazy to make something (which is anytime it requires more than 3 steps), I try to buy handmade because I CAN PRONOUNCE THE INGREDIENTS. Mxyzflyglmethinzyzzxebulum??? Grxylfinxybytrulvinkimisgizylrubulism??? As far as I know, that’s Martian for “Attention humans: putting this on your body constitutes a binding agreement that you accept us as your overlords.” Who knows. I definitely have some favorites. For Christmas my roommate gave me the Summer Salt Spa Bar from Cedar Mountain Botanicals (cedarmountainherbs.com), and I never, EVER want to use any other soap ever again. When I lived in NYC, I also really liked SkinnySkinny. To be honest, the products are a bit too pricey for me, but I love the company because when I went into the store, the owner (who makes the products) was suuuuper nice, gave me a sample of a coffee body scrub she was working on, and answered my questions about exfoliation. Kindness goes a long way. (edited: I forgot to leave my email address. It’s Bodywork By Rebecca at gmail).
I soooooo want the LOVE!!!! I can’t imagine how anyone could prefer mass-produced, chemical-laden, factory products over beautiful, love-infused, handmade items!!!
I want the love please! And I love this community! THIS is what handmade, responsible products are all about! (besides the healthiness!) COMMUNITY. I’ve found an amazing support and community in all of you.
I almost forgot. I’ve been buying more homemade items lately. To me it’s like going out to eat at a chain restaurant compared to eating a homemade meal prepared with love. There’s a marked difference. I feel the love in homemade products when I think about the time, effort and thought put into the individual product.
I want the Love! What an awesome giveaway.
I just want to say that you’ve opened my eyes to so many new things and I’m enjoying all of them even if my husband gives me weird looks as I slather oil or honey on my face or make him use my homemade deodorant 🙂
AMAZING giveaway! I want that massage candle like nobody’s business! 🙂
I love homemade so much more than mass produced for multiple reasons. 1) I know WHO made my product! A person, giving their time, knowledge, and care not a machine squirting random things together. 2) I can buy vegan and organic products that I know are full of love! 3) I am helping support someone like me with a living wage so they can turn around and support their family. 4) I can buy American made products & stimulate our economy. 5) I am using pure close to the source products, not chemicals that I can’t even pronounce. Handmade natural products are the way to go!!
I want the love!!! I confess this is my first comment and am very new your great site! I am about to finish my first week of the oil cleanse method (with a dab of honey!) thanks to Crunchy Betty. I’m loving the OCM and your site! You have an amazing way of making homemade products from my kitchen less threatening and so exciting. Keep up the great work and I can’t wait to explore more into this great and natural world.
I want the love!
I love buying things that other people make. My schedule makes it difficult to make things myself so I love supporting others in their passions by buying soaps, perfumes, cleaning products, food (produce and baked goods), and homemade gifts whenever I can. I even started shopping at a different grocery store this year instead of a mega chain because it is owned by a local family. It’s small and doesn’t have “my” stuff all the time, but I’m adapting and I know that I am making a difference to a family.
I want some love!!! I would love to buy more handmade products but cant seem to find the time to research products in my area. At our summer farmer’s market there is a stand that sells handcrafted items made from lavender grown on their farm. We had some nice conversations last year and I can’t wait to see what they have for sell this year.
i enjoy handmade items from people i trust. there is an intimacy with buying or giving handmade gifts that is not present when you give a gift that 14 million other folks have. better than giving handmade gifts is making them with your own hands. 🙂
I love purchasing handmade goods for a bunch of reasons, one of which is the fact that I have a slight (not so slight?)shopping addiction but don’t we all, right? Right? But moving on now, the top #1 reason I love to buy handmade is because I feel like there is more to item than to one you can find in 20 other stores. I feel like behind every artisan soap bar and all those cute little bottles of oils and lotions is someone who cared enough to make the product, to worry about the quality and the ingredients that went into it. I just love that. It’s always good to believe that somewhere out there are people who can get just as crazy-obsessed about things as I can 🙂
And to make it all even more awesome, they always come in such amazingly cute packaging! And oh yeah– I want the love.
Happy Crunching!
I want the love. I Would love to win & try these products. [email protected]
I want the basket!! This looks amazing! I’ll comment about handmade items, they are the best! Those are the ones that say love. I try to keep things simple and make or buy from etsy or anyone that I know who makes their own wares. Love your blog keep up the good work!
I’d love to win the basket of love! I am afraid to buy handmade because I’m cheap and think I could do it myself and am afraid of buying sub-par quality due to the many options out there (I doubt that would happen but buying from random people worries me!).
I want the love!!! Love this goodie basket. Would love to try all these special products and find more to love. Thanks
debbebennett at yahoo dot com
What a lovely thing to come upon as I stumbled up your site for the first time. Oh yes, this little gorgon would love the love.
I prefer handmade above all. There is an energy (sorry to sound too new age-y) in handmade that you can’t get form mass produced. A well made product is worth the price one sets for it. After all, an artisan making small batches of product is actually cheaper in many ways that are unseen in dollar amounts, the eco footprint and human right issue for example.
Added there is the idividual creativity in each product even if they are similar.
You can’t beat the monetary price of manufacturing true, but that pales in compasion of all the advatages of handmade.
I want the love! Luckily I haven’t had to purchase too much homeade stuff since my mom has found your site and so many others and is going crazy making all kinds of awesome stuff. I had never used a sugar scrub before (didn’t even know they made them, just salt scrubs) and it has become my favorite. When I found Bubble & Bee I was so happy, I want to give her as much business as I can because I love and believe in her products. Before I knew better I stayed away from most handmade stuff because of the price or didn’t trust it would work as good as the store brands, and I am so happy to say how wrong I realize I was now. Small business that make home goods have my support because I realize they are people just like me that have a great idea and want to have fun with it and make some money on the side doing it, I think it’s great and hope one day to be able to do the same thing!
Oh magic random.org number generator PLEASE pick me! I never win anything and for heaven sakes I want the love! : )
I have made a few switches from homemade although it is challenging. My family is not um very crunchy and scoff at my homemade deodorant, cleaners, and the like. Today I even made a homemade “floral preservative” since my hubby got me flowers and the little packet was absent. We’ll see how they last in comparison.
I do have a favorite soap place and it is local too- cha-ching. They don’t charge me shipping and bring it to my door. You can’t beat that! Virginia Soaps and Scents.
Sometimes I am held back by cost on buying homemade. With four children I have to budget for some of these things. I would love to buy more, but again I have to plan for it.
I want the love!
I think it is desirable to buy handmade, and support the small, often local, artisan businesses over the large corporations who are often more worried about answering to the shareholders than the customers. I try to favor handmade products as much as possible, but higher costs and the issue of convenience is sometimes a barrier.
First of all, thank you, Lesie, for taking the time (and funds!!) to
organize these giveaways. Your generosity is inspiring!
Now, I also want the love, BUT since I’m in Canada (darn!), I am
really hoping to try the products from Arabesque Aromas!
I will always (ALWAYS) opt to save my pennies to spend more on
handmade products, rather than save a bit of money by buying cheaper,
mass-produced (and toxic!) products. There is something so reassuring
and fulfilling about buying handmade products from a hard-working,
conscientious individual. It is ridiculous how excited I get when I
receive such products, because I am consistently in awe of the amount
of care and creativity that goes into them.
I do try to make my own body care products whenever I can, but one
thing I always buy is makeup. This is my favourite shop to buy from
(the prices are reasonable and the products are high quality!):
http://www.etsy.com/shop/madisonstreetbeauty
Although we’re talking about body care products, I thought I would
also include one of my favourite handmade artisans, who re-purposes old
lockets and turns them into stunning works of art (they make amazing
gifts and would be perfect for your solid perfume recipe!): http://www.etsy.com/shop/MStevensonDesigns
Thank you again, Betty! 🙂
Heather
oooh……me…me….me! pick me!!! [email protected]
Thanks so much for this above awesome giveaway!!! As for purchasing homemade goods, I do this whenever I can over mass produced. Sometime prices are yes higher, but it is all about quality and not quantity. I am more willing to buy a little of something that is handmade and beautiful rather than a lot more of other things that are just not up to values.
What a love-ly collection of handmade fabulousness!
I try to go with handmade as often as possible, and am a maker myself. The reason is simple – objects have power. Mass produced, cheap products have one type of energy, and handmade items created with care and love have a very different energy. This is true whether you are buying produce at the local farmer’s market from the person who grew it, or buying a sensuous handmade perfume, or wearing socks that you knit yourself. Handmade objects are personal in a way that mass produced can never be, and they celebrate the individuality of the maker and the person who chose them. I treasure many handmade objects produced with care by people I know or by myself. There is really no comparison.
Of COURSE I want the love!
I do try to buy handmade as much as possible, however I will admit to buying “mostly natural” in a pinch. And by a pinch I mean any time I’m feeling too lazy to seek out the handmade, or too broke to afford it. As time goes by, though, I do find myself more motivated to make the extra effort and/or shell out the extra bucks. I become more and more creeped out when I look at the labels of the other stuff – what exactly IS THAT that I’m putting all over my body?? Even the big brands that claim to be “natural” usually have some weird stuff listed.
I already posted I want the love but just finished reading the whole article and I want the gift certificate too, soooooooo…………..mass-produced is deadly! I don’t care how cheap it is, it is full of toxic stuff and I will not buy that anymore. If I can’t afford it from a small independant handcrafter then I will do all in my power to make it myself. I love people that are will to take the time to do research and then produce something that is not only more healthy but really much more unique than the mass-produced. This is true of everything we use in our home now. Thank you for all your research and time posting these wonderful articles for us.
Of course I want the love…wow…just the thought of all those products brings me goose bumps.
I have always liked homemade products the best. I think it comes from visiting the summer craft shows here in Michigan. I have discovered some pretty wonderful products. I know from making things in the past as a business, you put a little of yourself into all of your products and a lot of your love. Everyone needs love and to know that someone likes your product enough to buy it, also brings the seller love. Love begets love. It is good for everyone!
I want the love! And I love handmade! This Christmas I went mostly handmade and gifted bath salts, lotion bars, lip balms, and note cards that I had made, and (I think) everyone loved it! It was so much fun to personalize the gifts for each individual. Lots of work but it felt more meaningful.
I want the love!
The reason I love handmade is because it truly feels better on my body.
When something is made in a big vat full of chemicals you can tell. It smells like big corporation “let’s make a buck”.
But when I use my handmade soap I feel better. The smell, the feel and the whole experience just says “I love this soo much I thought everyone should be able to try it”
That’s what I want to use when I take care of myself. Something that someone loved and put out into the world for others to love as well.
I recently found Scentuals which is a local company for me. I am loving all her soaps, there is a bar in each bathroom, and you have to try her lips balm in citrus. It smells like orange creamsicle!
Yay Love! I want it!
I want the love! 🙂 I am in love with homemade things! It is amazing to know that you aren’t putting nasty chemicals all over your body! Why would you want to apply something that’s just going to dry your skin out or cause other problem because of cheaply made products? I know I don’t. I have been trying to find the best natural homemade products and would love to give these a try! [email protected]
It’s a bit of a shame I’m in the UK instead of the US! I think anyone would agree that handmade, natural and green items are more desirable simply because you can see the thought that goes into them – and b able to read and understand the label. It can be so infuriating to know that you can’t read the label on something in a shop, yet you could make a similar item at home. That said, handmade is more expensive often, and for a huge amount of people my age (student age) this means that we’re pushed towards the mass-produced items simply due to lack of funds. Anything we do buy that is handmade is a carefully thought out purchase, and is very precious to us. The best gifts people give us are handmade, with attention, affection and thought gone into them.
i would love to win! thanks for the opportunity! 🙂
Please! I wanna win the goodies!!
Rachael Milne 🙂
I would love the love please! I prefer natural, handmade and organic. Your skin soaks up all toxins and I try to steer clear or those as much as possible. I hope I win. Thanks!
Type your comment here.
I really want the love!
I adore the idea of hand made. It’s about our environment, our children and grand-children’s future and their space on this earth being preserved. I met a really lovely lady last summer in Appleton, WI, she had a booth at the farmer’s market. She had taken used clothing, and embellished them with buttons, ribbon, other cloth and stuff like that, they were adorable, and my little grand-daughter loves the clothes. I also bought a purse last spring, in Wausau, from a gal who crocheted it out of plastic bags, then embellished it with an old butterfly belt. I was going to gift it, but I kept it instead. These two ladies, and I know there are thousands of you just like them, inspired me to think outside the box myself. I save stuff now, and I try to come up with something unique. It’s fun, it’s helps relieve stress, and it’s great to give friends gifts that you made yourself. I just recently discovered this web-site, it was a gift from a friend, and I have re-gifted Crunchy Betty to 3 other friends already.
I want the love! But I also want to take the time to say thank you. I read the blog regularly (but never comment, i’m shy). Since discovering Crunchy Betty my man and I have replaced nearly all of our cleaning products and revolutionized our body care routine. I’m taking better care of myself than I ever have and I feel that I’m truly taking better care of my family. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
I do try to buy home made products more. I seem to think they are healthier. I love the Heal My sole products! They make a wonderful nice smelling, bug spray that my daughter in NOT allergic to. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity!
I NEED the LOVE:)
I am absolutely in LOVE with handmade, homemade, and creative new ideas that allow Gods NATURAL ingredients to heal, comfort, and bless our bodies ! I have lost both of my Parents in the past 5 years to cancer. Through this experience I have turned my grief into a passion, a passion to make a difference in the life of my family and anyone else crazy enough to listen!! I have thoroughly enjoyed your site and your newsletters…..I have tried the “wool balls’ and LOVE THEM…..I have used the dishwasher soap and LOVE IT…..I am currently using the laundry recipe and have plans for the (hot oil treatment) tonight!….as far as my own personal other natural favs?……I use tea tree oil for my pimples:)…funny…but again AMAZING results….I am a huge collodial silver fan when I am feeling a cold coming on…….and I grown everything I can fit into my garden:)…..I hope to continue to learn and teach my children the simple wonders of being truly healthy. Thanks for all you do to help us LAdies make a better life for our familys!
Blessings,
Shelley
I want the LOVE!
I very much like handmade items. They have meaning and are quite personal. They make the best gifts. The only thing that keeps me from purchasing handmade is time and price. In my hectic schedule, I sometimes forget to look for something personal and handmade as a gift and focus too much on just getting something. As I get older, I’m learning to slow down and look vs “just get it done” My favorite? Making things myself. I’m a photographer, so it’s fun to get a fun recipe for a product and then make it, package it in some fun way and add a home made card with one of my photos on it.
[email protected]
I want the love.
Yes I believe handmade is better than cheap, mass produced stuff. Not only does the purchase of handmade goods directly support an artisan, rather than the industrial machine, but handmade goods are made with love rather than indifference. I wish we could all do something we love, and support each other in our art. I will buy handmade beauty products, food products and artwork whenever I can.
Though I love to make my own “handmades,” I agree that there are certainly times I would rather buy and support cottage businesses. Soap and toiletries are the best example of this. I want to learn to make soap, but honestly, I enjoy touching, smelling, seeing and using all the handmade soaps I’ve found whenever I travel. My sweet husband has even caught on to my love for handmade soaps and has brought me some from his travels all over the country! how special!!!
I want the love, definitely. Hand crafted beats cheap, mass produced any day.
I love artisan made items, especially creams, soaps, lotions! I really like the use of natural ingredients and the inspiration and creativity that are put into every item. I know there’s a lot of hard work behind each formula, a lot of trial and error, and I very much appreciate what it takes to make a successful product. I could make things like this myself, I’ve been collecting books on it for years, but I’d rather support the artisans themselves by buying their products.
LOVE the love! It would be so amazing….a dear friend and I make soap together… and we do love it…not enough that we sell it but we have given it as gifts and the recipients love it. Frankly, a basket(less) of love would be so greatly appreciated…I’ve been unemployed/underemployed for 2 years now and our small business is suffering due to the economy also….it really sucks but we have every confidence that things will be turning around within the next year. Right now we’re trying to eat well and I’m going back to making my own cleaning products, etc like I did when my older kids were little. The biggest challenge now is to get our youngest to submit to all of mom’s ‘experiments’…she wasn’t around when we did many of the natural care and cleaning…when I went back to work outside the home, that part of it suffered. But yes, it was fun and it is FUN AGAIN…and yep, I am loving being a SAHM again!
I want the love!
I try and buy handmade products because I work for a small business. Most handmade products are other small businesses and I am trying to help others make their dreams come true as well.
HOW exciting! I LOVE to buy handmade bath stuff. I dont buy them often, but when I do I keep them put away for a night I can spoil myself and take a long soaking bath and use a few!! A few of my favorites are scented soaps and bath salts and candles. Of course, fresh flowers and a small box of yummy chocolates always make my homemade spa time that much better!! 🙂
I WANT THE LOVE SO I CAN LOVE IT TOO!!
I am particularly fond of homemade items. I am also a sucker for buying in bulk. I try to buy ingredients for products I can make myself in bulk, (like glycerine for body wash or My Coconut Jojoba and Castor oils) For products I cannot live without I will (try) to purchase homemade items. (Like, a delicious hand salve from one of my favorite Etsy sellers.) I also try and support small businesses when I can. As a small business owner myself (we try and lead people to healthier lifestyles by making workouts fun and not charging an arm and a leg for personal training.) I know how much continued support can mean to someone, especially when they are in their business to change lives and not be filthy rich. Sorry for the soap box! =) So basically I try and buuy handmade wholesome things for my family (regardless of price) IF I cannot make them myself =)
I’ve thought about this over night and I have to add that I do not ALWAYS buy from the little guy. When I don’t buy handmade/local it’s definately because of monetary cost. But if I delve further into that, it’s the lack of education of what the OTHER cost is… the cost to our bodies, the cost to the environment, the cost to the local economy, the cost to the global economy, the moral cost, etc., etc. In those areas that I have been educated, I tend to be willing to spend the money on a product that is better, or, if I can’t afford the money, then I spend the time to research and make my own product, or spend the time and effort to find a compromise that I can live with.
I want the CRUNCHY LOVE! I love your site! read it daily….thanks
I would love to win some love. What a great prize package!
I don’t want the love, I NEED the love! Oh my do I ever need the love….
I don’t buy much handmade for 2 reasons: we are dirt poor, which puts 99.9% of handmade products out of our price range, and there aren’t many hippie type boutiques around were we live that sell things like that. There ARE farmers markets, though, but they are pretty tiny, and expensive. But if I had the money, I would be all over buying handmade. It just feels so much better, and looks so much better the the mass produced stuff you can get anywhere! When I do get some lovely handmade stuff, I have a hard time using it, because I know that once it’s gone, I probably won’t be able to get any more of it for a while. Someday…..
Show me the love! 🙂
Of course I want the love – who wouldn’t? It looks heavenly!! Handmade is always better. This year I made your hard lotion bars for my friends as Christmas gifts. They didn’t seem too impressed initially, but last week I had three comments about how wonderful they were, can I make more, etc. They love the bars AND they love the fact that the bars were made with love.
HOW exciting! I LOVE to buy handmade bath stuff. I dont buy them often, but when I do I keep them put away for a night I can spoil myself and take a long soaking bath and use a few!! A few of my favorites are scented soaps and bath salts and candles. Of course, fresh flowers and a small box of yummy chocolates always make my homemade spa time that much better!! 🙂
I want the love!! That gift basket sounds so awesome!
I also am recently leaning towards wanting to not only make home made items, but buy them as well. I feell like you are supporting an actually person rather than a big company. I want to support that one person working from their kitchen to make nice quality and healthy products. I always try to tell myself that there was a time before walmart and people survived and did just fine! 🙂 And were probably better for it.
Yes, of course I want the love!!!
And I prefer to buy handmade, even though it is usually more expensive. I just like that “handmade” feel better than that “machine-made” feel. I love the look of handmade, I love the feel of handmade, I love the smell of handmade, and I love that I am supporting a real person when I buy handmade. Of course, I also make lots of handmade stuff, and have even written a book called “Natural Beauty: Recipes From Your Kitchen to Enhance Your Health and Appearance,” as well as selling handcrafted herbal hair rinses, facial steams, etc. (all available at queenhomeschool.com)…so perhaps that is partly why I am biased. I AM, however, extremely partial to only the BEST QUALITY handmade materials. I look for high quality ingredients, such as pure essential oils, organic herbs, etc., and though I will usually buy handmade over machine-made, I don’t buy just ANY handmade. It has to be good quality as well. I believe it is worth paying extra to keep a real person here in America (where I live) employed, rather than paying less to keep a machine in a foreign country running. Of course, I also pay more for gas and groceries at my tiny local rural stores. There’s just something in me that likes to support the underdog in his efforts to compete against the monopolies, I guess. But only if the product is as good or better.
I WANT THE LOVE! Please!
I love handmade items. Just the time, energy, patience, and love that’s put into handmade items makes things that much more desirable. Through the years I have been trying to transition to using natural body products. I have been using my own natural deodorant for years, and I have gotten a bunch on ppl on to it as well. I use the OCM now, which works great. Nothing unnatural on my face anymore, and I only use oils now for moisturizing. I have been using Burt’s Bee peppermint lip balm forever. I also tried your ginger sugar scrub which smelled great. Being somewhat of a scientist myself, I do not trust many ingredients. I don’t believe large companies are out for our benefit whatsoever. Things are made so you develop an addiction to them and keep coming back for more (Anti-perspirant for example), and once you try natural items they end up working way better because they don’t go against your body’s natural processes. My hope is that as time goes on, pretty much anything I use will be natural. My next step is the shampoo. I am also an extremely creative person and I can definitely appreciate the wholeness of handmade items.
I want the love!! 😀
Oh, there is so much to love! We make a point of buying handmade over mass produced items; if it is local, even better. Handmade represents the cost of making something, not like mass produced, sweat shop priced items. Support your local craftsmen/women.
I WANT THE LOVE!
I love handmade items. Just the time taken for a person to put their own time, energy, and care into something really makes a product so much more desirable. And most things that I find that I use frequently or have really liked are often handmade. Handmade items are also very inspiring, being a very creative person myself. I am also very very wary of artificial chemicals or ingredients, and this site has really helped me in that transition process. I have completely stopped putting anything artificial on my face and have embraced the OCM, and have only been putting oils on for moisturizer. I have been wearing my own natural deodorant for years. I tried your ginger, sugar scrub, and loooveed it. I always use Burt’s Bee peppermint lip balm. I’m in the process of trying to stop using shampoo, and I also would like to try some transition to some natural oils for body moisturizers as well. The list of natural things I want to create is never-ending, thanks to this site. Lol. Thanks!
Yes, please! I want the love!
As for homemade purchases, they’re what I chose whenever possible. Buying something that somebody made means buying something that somebody loved. Homemade goods are imbibed with thought and care from the moment the creator has the idea and beings gathering the materials. Handmade goods consistently outshine their mass-produced alternatives.
There are generally two main things that keep me from buying homemade. One, I like to make things myself! I get such a joy out of figuring out how I can make things with my own two hands. My own homemade goodies are my favorite gifts to give, both to myself and to others. The second thing that keeps me from buying homemade is cost and budget. I wish I could afford to buy more homemade items, but currently I have to decided when to go for it and when t0 penny-pinch. By cutting out unnecessary splurges and being more budget conscious I have been able to afford more homemade items, but I’m looking forward to a day when the homemade can dominate the mass produced junk in my life!
This is my first day checking out your site, Highly recommended by a friend! 🙂 I love making my own products with whatever I have in my kitchen or garden!
I so want the love
I want the love! Thank you for the wonderful opportunity!
I want the love as well!
And speaking of love… I purchase handmade products because they usually have simple ingredients and less of them. I can be sure that the person who made it, made it with care for the product and usually these items have been carefully crafted. Plus, I’m a huge supporter of handmade AND local, so if I can find a product that satisfies both, I’m keeping the money in the local economy and out of big corporations. Also, these items usually smell better, look better, and feel better. An all-around win for me or whoever uses them.
I would love to win some love!
I have recently started making my own homemade stuff. I find the process to be very relaxing. I take my time at the market smelling and feeling different products. I spend more time in the kitchen grating, chopping, steaming, mushing, and so on. My body just feels better using natural and handmade. My soul feels better because I am focusing on long term solutions instead of quick fixes.
I would love to be able to try these items. I have been trying with some success over the past year and a half to buy more handmade. Unfortunately I do not live in a very “crunchy” area which means I have to look online. I have found a couple places that I really like and one is from my home state so I am drawn to it more. The only think is that we have a very limited budget and so paying $8-11 dollars per bar of soap is not in the budget nor is spending the $50 for free shipping. We just don’t go through so that much. Also after trying the soap I found that our water does not remove all the film leaving our skin with the yucky scummy feel feel. So instead I buy from our local health food store that had all natural soap for less than $2 a bar and works wonderful.
Yeah baby, I want the love!
Buying homemade over mass produced items really tickles my fancy :-). It fulfills my desire to be green-ie, and at the same time supports others who are like minded. It makes me feel clever for not succumbing to marketing tricks, real or perceived. Being the greenest option, my own homemade products are my first choice, but sometimes I just want someone else to do the work. Purchasing the homemade products of others is one way I can treat myself without feeling guilty.
I would love to win this basket of love…just because! It looks like it’s filled with very yummy things.
I want the love. I am fairly new on my going green adventure. I am a young stay at home mom so money is tight. I typically try to make my own because it is fun and I can be more frugal most of the time. However I do realize that not everything I can make on my own. There are women and men out there that have different skills and talents and years of experiementing that I don’t have. I know the joy and the passion I have for the things I made and get excited to share what I learn with others. I want to support others who have the same passion and desire to make a good quality product that is better for their family and for the world. Of course most homemade products come with a higher pricetag which makes it difficult with our budget to buy. I have to plan more for these purchases and often use extra money (birthday/Christmas money) to try out new things before making room in the budget.
Of course I want the love- these items look absolutely delightful! My preference is definitely for handmade, quality items over mass- produced fare. The thing that holds me back is availability in our area (midwest), and my own laziness. Sometimes its just so much easier to run to Walmart (gasp) and pick up a commodity, than it is to try & track down someone who makes homemade bread, or has artisan cheese or makes their own candles etc. But after having my baby girl in December, I find myself driven like never before to make the effort to only buy products from people/companies I trust or make them myself- there’s alot of scary stuff out there, and ingredients in things that I just don’t think I want her exposed to! The good thing is, every year there seem to be more & more folks interested in this type of thing, so local handmade & homegrown products seem to get easier to find.
As far as favorites go, I must say my most favorite local homemade soaps come from Mother Suds Soap Co. (check her out on facebook). She is just starting out, but the range of soaps, scents and the ingredients used are just phenomenal. I will not use anything else on my daughter’s skin, or mine for that matter.
I want the love! I want the love!
To answer your question, I do highly prefer handmade to mass produced. The thing I don’t prefer is the price tag. Don’t get me wrong, I think these products are generally worth the price. I just cannot currently pay that price. Additionally, most of these companies are online so there are shipping prices to contend with as well. The area I live in is not friendly towards anything other than mass produced modern junk, including only cookie cutter houses, so there are really no stores that sell handmade products of this genre. So I don’t even have a nearby small shop to purchase these types of products from. It is an unfortunate situation, to be sure.
I LOVE all of your great ideas!!o happy to find a great source for natural, healthy products and recipes!! Keep up the great work!!!
I LOVE all of your great ideas!!o happy to find a great source for natural, healthy products and recipes!! Keep up the great work!!!
LOVE! And there are two things that stop me from making it a priority to buy handmade: one is shame on me, the other is…more shame 🙂 The first reason is me not planning enough to be able to spread my meager check around in the direction that I’d like. The second is…when I have made the effort, I haven’t been fortunate enough to find high-caliber things like this! Just because someone is making stuff, doesn’t mean it’s good stuff. I let some not-so-good throw me off.
i want the love!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I want the love!!
I want the love!
I try to buy homemade when it is available, otherwise, I make my own stuff. Homemade items are nice because I know I am supporting someone locally…someone like myself who is just trying to make a living doing what they love, not a big corporation that couldn’t care less about us little people.
I want the love.
I am very new to the “Homemade” world. I recently retired. During my corporate days it was all about convenience. But now, I have the time and am seriously getting into this. I stumbled upon your site quite by accident, but am so glad I did. I enjoy your writing and your recipes. I don’t have a favorite homemade vendor yet, but I’m hoping some day it will be me!
Jane
[email protected]
I would love all of that stuff! Amazing. I make my own products over buying commercially made products but when I DO buy things, I try to go handmade from small artisans. Thanks to Crunchy Betty and all of your tips and posts for helping me with my handmade items!
I would love to have the love… I truly enjoy making the things I can at home, (my “witchcraft”, and buying from artisans when I can’t. I have my own business on Etsy, and admire and appreciate the work, the thought, the time, and the creativity that go into handmade products. You get an idea (!Sha-bam!) and become obsessed with it’s creation… then the pure delight and pride of the finished product. It’s a great feeling. The products above are lovely… please put my name in to win… and now I’m off to look at their websites…
I want the love!
It is desirable to have the handmade products over the cheaper, mass-produced but it is difficult when there is no guarantee on them. Although the mass produced products may fail, they often have a guarantee. With handmade products, it usually isn’t the case and while some people make great handmade products, some people don’t. I suppose it is just like what you said in the earlier post. We have been conditioned to trust big brands.
I too want some love!
I love handmade products and will always buy them over mass-produced if I can. I am a painfully overqualified, underemployed person who never has enough money, but I will still spend more for the craftsmanship and, yes, love in the handmade products. Unfortunately, I recently moved to a part of the country where organic, handmade, locally-produced things are much harder to come by. It’s very sad, but the silver lining is that I’ve started making stuff myself, all of which has worked well so far plus I get the joy of home chemistry experiments.
Thanks for this blog! I recommend it to everyone!
I would love the love as well. Handmade artisinal products are absolutely my preference. You get so much more when you can purchase from an artist who keeps themselves closely involved in their products. That energy of creation and care for their brand comes through for the lucky people who will enjoy them. I especially love natural products from these artists. The artists devote themselves fully to their craft in my experience, so you are getting something special that a lot of research, thought, and love has gone in to. I have also been introduced to some new and novel ingredients this way that I had never come across before. It is also a great feeling knowing you have the chance to support a small business, and that business owner is much easier to identify with and appreciate that some huge corporate office that you sometimes wonder if they even give a damn what you think of the product. The interactions I have had with small business owners have been some of the most rewarding.
Some of the challenges that I have faced in buying handmade are time management (read that as I am a horrible procrastinater) and being able to smell or experience ahead of time the product and select the right one for that special person you are shopping for. I tend to learn of a lot of online sources as opposed to local, and that usually means ordering samples ahead of time to get to know the products and see if they are that perfect fit or not. It can also be daunting picking fragrances for someone else as sense of smell and what is enjoyed is such a personal thing, and even knowing some of the person’s favorite notes is never a guarantee that they will enjoy the overall scent for the product. That is where a set of samples and the option for a gift certificate come in handy!
Thanks so much for highlighting small businesses and the really awesome drawing!
Michael
[email protected]
As a handcrafter of my own natural soaps i know first hand what love and effort is put into perfecting a product. At the craft shows and gatherings I do, buying from other crafters is part of the beauty. I also joined a co-op so I can support local farmers and I prefer spending a little extra for the love that went into growing that cucumber, or making that jam. I make sure my soap is made with all natural herbs and essential oils, and i try to make them appealing from the scent to the look of the soap as well. In nature theres only so many colors to choose from! I love buying from local apothecaries and helping a community of diy-ers. Etsy is wonderful as is crunchy betty, I love buying homemade as well as making homemade : )
I want the love for sure!!!! I’m a new fan of your blog and the concept of wearing the healthy earth and food on my skin! Go organic and natural! Wooo hooo! Let me know when I win 🙂 Chantel~ [email protected]
Would love to win! Handmade… Used to have the concern that it was “risky” unless I knew the person making the item. Didn’t know what was really in there, the process, etc. because they weren’t “regulated”. Ha! I believe now the whole “safety” of regulation is laughable at best. I enjoy spending money on something someone enjoyed making, that doesn’t get lost to a “middleman”. But, cost is unfortunately a factor b/c of income, family, etc. I try to balance the pull of price and product but don’t have a real method for this. 🙂
Who doesn’t want a little love? I do! Thank you for sharing! As far as handmade goes, here is something I would like to share. I have a 6 year old son who loves his mass produced toys, games, etc. Recently, however, he asked my mother to knit him an armadillo. Why an armadillo? Who knows? The thing is, even though he may not realize it, he treasures little handmade things just as much as those big expensive toys he always wants me to buy. And that tells me that even though I let him have his fair share of plastic crap to play with, he is learning from me and from others around him about the value of the love and care that goes into making a handcrafted object. And that makes me proud of both of us.
Um. That is made of awesome. Would your mom knit *me* an armadillo?!? : D
Hello, I hope to win!! I would love to win this. I love handmade products overall! the cheaper mass-produced products are SCARY!!! Buying handmade products is more expensive and they usually have a shorter shelf life, but all in all, It’s better for Myself and the Environment. I try to make a lot of homemade remedies and potions too, I have some friends that tease me and ask if I was Amish in a past life. LOL!. I do try to phase out buying the hip and now products for more wholesome and natural stuff for sure, so yes, whenever possible I like to buy handmade.
I do love LUSH, even though they are more the mainstream of the handmade world, but hey!! Karma soap smells sooooo good! And the angels on bare skin lavender skin face scrub! That would be a great recipe to have. I also love the smell of Dr. Bonner’s 18 in 1 use Lavender soap.
Love to you Crunchy Betty and I practically live on your site….love all the recipes and insight. Keep up the awesomeness!!! 🙂 ~Blessings
I WANT THE LOVE!!!
Also, I LOVE all things handmade and do my best to buy handmade whenever possible. Of course, I love etsy, but I tend to shop more at local craft fairs, farmer’s markets and street fairs. My favorite handmade thing I bought recently was an “ornament” from a 7 yr old girl at a holiday bazaar. She and her friend made these ornaments from things they found on the beach and were selling them. It’s hanging in my kitchen window because it’s far too cute for just a Christmas ornament. (I want to see it ALL the time!) Also, it’s VERY LONG! They used wire to attach sea glass, shells, bells and feathers and the thing is like 7 inches long!! Totally use it as a window charm instead! 🙂
I’d love some love….
I want the love!! REALLY BAD;) I love homemade products! I have made several myself and would love to perfect my own or even get somewhere in the general area of awesomeness that I feel when I use my favorite bought homemade items. I can’t get close. They’re useable just not luxurious like the ones I buy!!!! But, having said that there are things that I won’t buy all the time due to the cost. For instance, when I see a tiny bar of soap for $7. Sorry not buying that. Unfortunatly, price is a factor. I’m new to the area (Houston, tx) and haven’t found many local shops that sell homemade products, yet. I’m Def on the lookout for a affordable, desirable homemade product store here! Love you Crunchy Betty! You inspire me to live better;) oh and make me smile.
I am newly Crunchy and, of course, would seriously love to win the goodies in your pretty basket. Keep on posting – Live long and prosper!
Thanks for offering up this chance to win this great stuff –
[email protected]
I’d love to have some of that love. Than I can share it with my family!
I would love love love to win some love!! : ) you are so right, I truly enjoy making my own cleaners for my laundry, home & body. Wether for myself or to gift it is an amazing feeling of accompliment that you are doing such great things for your family friends and self. BUT the indulgment of purchasing (or winning~ lol) someone elses handmade items just feels sooo good, especially when it such good quality stuff! Good luck to everyone vying for the win & enjoy basking in the lucsiousness (or crunchiness) of it all!
Share the love with me and I share the love with others 🙂
Add me!! I want the love, I would so love to win this! 🙂 Thank you so much!
So much generous love! I’d really like to share it with my mother (she deserves some pampering!) and of course my fiance (because I love him so much). As for the handmade, I always try to look into those sorts of products before any others. My aforementioned dear mom knits, crochets, makes her own jams and preserves, gardens, you name it. I’ve seen all of the hard work she’s put into the beautiful things she does, and have developed an understanding of what exactly it takes to get to the end result. If someone does that, I appreciate it. I appreciate the effort and care they put forth, and I know that they absolutely MUST love what they do, or else they wouldn’t bother (seriously, it’s that much work). I would rather buy something with the knowledge that someone made it with love and genuine intentions. I think that’s so very important, especially today and tomorrow, and for future generations.
I want the love! 🙂
In desperate need of the love over here! New baby+ not much sleep means no time for making anything these days.
I want the LOVE- but more importantly I want to share the love with others. I love to use handmade soaps and each time I do I remember the farmer’s market where I bought them: the sites, smells and sounds. The handmade products feel so much better on my skin and I love helping support family businesses who care deeply about what they make. I am using some wonderful handmade products my married daughter made for Christmas gifts. Every time I use them I think of her. My skin loves them; I can feel the love and caring she put into the gifts she made. I will be making my own soaps but until then I will continue to buy and use handmade products.
Mmm, who couldn’t use some more love?
I NEED the love!!! 🙂 It’s been a rough year so far with sickness and whatnot in our family…We have just recently started to get into the organic and home/hand made mode…what an adventure! My friends and some family think I’m nuts, but you know…I really kind of like going against the norm! Thanks!
i want the love!! <3
my em is [email protected] 🙂
I so need some love!
I DEFINITELY want the love!
I try and buy handmade items as frequently as my budget will allow. I try to be as thoughtful as I can with my purchases and I usually find that handmade items feel the best in my home. My favorite handmade things are jewelry, artwork, and clothes. The only deterrent is the cost – sometimes crafted things are prohibitively expensive!
Laura
[email protected]
Hi , I would love to have the love along with everyone else. I have a preferance for handmade products although it is hard to find a company that has not through time changed there natural ingredients in favor of the more commonly used and at times unsafe ingredients. One favorite company always used non-synthetic non carcinegenic ingredients but after changing owners they changed their product and it was never as good . I had used them for twenty years. The purest ingredients are hard to beat when it comes to the products overall use and your body can feel the difference. Cindy.
I want the love!!!
I could make up a bunch of stuff on why I prefer handmade over mass-produced but the bottom line is that the handmade items are made with love and each one is unique in its own way.
You know I want the love!!!!
I loved your post yesterday. My quest for real and simple things led me to your fabulously fun and informative blog, and I am thankful to read your posts everyday 🙂
I would love to win this! I like handmade stuff because then I don’t have to do *everything* myself. Sometimes it feels very red henly to garden and milk and grind and ferment. . . .
I prefer handmade products for many reasons. First, you know exactly what is going into the product. Second, it is much better for you. I also strongly believe in supporting locally owned businesses. I’ve also found that I’ve built amazing relationships with people. We are able to trade ideas and information and share our passions for a healthier life and a healthier planet. No large corporation can compare with that!
I, too, want the love! Handmade products totally win over those that are mass-produced any day. Most recently I was in St. Augustine with my husband on our “mini-versary” (six month celebration) and we stopped in a charming little candle shop. The owner, the person who made each and every candle, was there to talk to us about the process, her favorite scents, their history, and so forth. It really added to the experience and made the candles we purchased from her more than just useful products. They have character and history – something that I’ve never experienced from candles of the box-store variety. More importantly, buying handmade is really about the human connection. It makes the world feel a little smaller (in a good way, not in an “ohmygod we are so overpopulated” kinda way). I am glad to see this trend coming back and I hope it spreads like wildfire! In the end, buying handmade empowers both the people who choose to spend their money on them and the artisans who choose to spend their time on their craft. Do I feel bad if the giant monopolistic corporations lose out on some profits because of this? Not so much. 😉
I REALLY want the love!!
I want the love!!! And if money were no object, i would always buy handmade. I do when I can, I especially love to buy handmade items from the local farmers market. Unfortunately, handmade is expensive and I am on a tight budget….so thats why I love your blog and trying out your recipes! Ps my email is [email protected]
I Love LOVE!
I make a huge effort now to buy handmade, however in my 20’s I only thought in terms of what’s the cheapest. But now in my 30’s (soooo much wiser!) I appreciate value over price, and handmade means more, regardless of the product, than a department store, mass-produced item.
I want the love!
Oh, I soooo want the love! What an amazing basket of goodies!
I’ve been slowly adding more handmade products to my life. It might be a tad more expensive sometimes (but often waaaay less expensive, so…I guess it evens out!), but the satisfaction I get from using things I KNOW are good for me is so worth it. 🙂 My favorite part has been giving handmade goodies as gifts, whether I make them or buy them…I gave lotion bars for Christmas this year (among other things), and I think they’re getting used even more often than I’m using mine!
I read that as “Leave a comment and tell me what you love”…
So, while I definitely do want the love, I was sad to not have an opportunity to tell you what I love.
So I’m going to anyway:
Today, I love being by the seaside with a dear friend. Nothing better.
I would love the love! I immediately went to the Heal my sole website after I read your post, let’s just say I don’t earn enough to buy everything I wanted! LOVE ♥
So fun! I would love to win!! 🙂
Also — I’ve loved buying homemade soap from http://www.countryrosesoap.com/ — it is lovely (especially the lavender scent). That washes me from head to toe and has reduced my consumption of other products — so while it may be more expensive on the front end, it is cheaper when you consider that I’m not purchasing conditioner (hello, vinegar!), body wash or face wash.
Thank you for the giveaway!!
xoxo
Hey Betty – Thanks for sharing the LOVE! If I’m fortunate enough to win, that’s a big bonus!
I love your introduction of these cool companies and will definitely be exploring their sites. I think that handmade goods are the wave of the future, as we move towards a more mindful society, one that believes in buying local, avoiding chemicals and supporting the small business owner vs. the mega-lithic corporations which prey upon people’s insecurities and weaknesses to get them to buy their products. The more that folks like you (and Mountain Rose Herbs) can get the word out, the better we will all be in the long run! Thanks for your amazing blog!
I want the The Love! This basket looks so lovely!
I use only handmade products. I buy them or make them myself at home. Just cannot trust all other products anymore.
Hi crunchy Betty
Would love to be entered to win the basket of love. You have the coolest website. I just found it and have been reading different thing for over an hour! This is great!
Will be back again and again…soap nuts…who knew…
Jude
http://Www.judenarita.com
I so want the Love!! Would love to try them all and share.
I just made my first batch of laundry detergent – so easy and smells great. Starting on the dish soap and excited I have shared with all my friends at work.
Thank you for doing this!!
Betty, thank you for bringing a smile to my day, everyday. I look forward to reading your blog at the end of an exuberant day of first graders. Send some LOVE my way xo
Ooh, I want the love.
I love handmade items for a number of reasons – they’re often better quality than mass produced, it’s a good way to support small business, they sometimes have unique qualities or come with little extras, they’re prettier… But one of the coolest reasons is a sort of indefinable quality of art or craft. I guess that sounds kind of snobby, but I do feel like handmade items have a special extra something that comes from being made with personal attention by someone who has learned to craft and do it well. I can’t afford to buy as much handmade as I wish I could, but I treasure the few items I do get. Some of my favorites are things made out of wood, because they are irresistible to me. I can’t do woodworking myself, and I just love the satiny glow wood gets when it’s been carefully finished.
I want the love!!!
I stumbled across this website today. That was about three hours ago. It is now saved in my favorites. What a great blog/website. Fantastic ideas and homemade products. can’t wait to try them out. Thanks.
I love the basket! Looks awesome! I want the love! I like handmade *much* better! I would buy handmade constantly because of the fun detail, individual creativity and love they put into each product. Unfortunately, that also means more pricey…right now with needing to find a place to live super quick and both my man and I on part-time jobs…handmade, isn’t exactly in the cards. 🙂 Still, I hope at least by Christmastime to be able to buy some from Etsy sellers. Love to support the individuality and adventurous entrepreneur! I adore the Kirigami Japanese Popup Cards by Popup Cardmaking on Etsy! So many to choose from!http://munchtalk.blogspot.com/
I want the love!
Seriously, though, I love your blog and share recipes with all my friends. I now have several whose underarms smell like tropical, coconutty drinks.
I always try to buy handmade or fair trade if I can’t make it myself. Sometimes the expense is too much – in that case, I’ll go without or try to find a workaround. For example, clothes can be a challenge in style and price (plus, I’m awful at sewing!), so I often go to consignment shops. They screen a little better than thrift stores, but have decent prices and buy purchasing items there, I’m not contributing to the demand for sweat-shop produced, natural-resource depleting clothing. Seriously, thank God for Etsy, though! It’s amazing what you can find that’s hand made!
I want the goodies !!!!
I love handmade things. I make a fair amount of things for us, but I lack a lot in follow through to do as much as I like. Love supporting local artisans too.
i want love. i love love. i NEED LOVE!
Handmade is the raddest. Sometimes scary if it’s not made in YOUR home though. Did they really use organic, or are they dirty liars? Did they scratch their head while mixing this lotion….be honest, am i slathering dandruff lotion all over me? Eek! Sometimes you just have to let go and hope they exude as much wonder as you do yourself. My newest most favoritest things are community swaps! You get so much homemade goodness without having to do all the work! Also a fab way to meet crunchy people, share recipes, and look closely for dandruff head swappers :).
This sounds so LOVEly. Would love to try these marvelous products out. Thanks for doing the giveaway.
I want the love!
I want the love!
One of the reasons I prefer to buy handmade is that I am a maker myself. By supporting other makers of stuff, I’m making sure other people don’t go hungry doing what they love. I try to choose handmade or something I can make over store-bought unless it is a complete emergency (like I need it yesterday).
I want the love.
I absolutely find it more desirable to buy handmade over mass-produced products. I’ve started purchasing organic products from Bubble & Bee for that reason. I like to support things I believe in with my money and I strongly believe that the corporations poisoning our products do not deserve my money. I am not a big fan of our labor being exported to other countries because it’s cheaper, so any time I can support an American business through a purchase I try to do so.
Correction to my email address. Forgot I deleted the one I referenced with my post!
What a marvelous thing you have going on here! As a maker myself, I love to buy handmade not only to support artisans like myself, but also to get to know them! My world has been made so much brighter and more interesting through meeting people that make things. It’s an incredible way to connect with like-minded people – dreaming and scheming up ways to make the world a better place. Right now, I love exploring the world of small-batch artisan perfumes (which I also make myself). Scent can give us a fierce and intimate glance into the heart of another being – and the power it holds to unite people through memory and experience is worth knowing more about. Thanks for this wonderful post, it’s incredible to see the outpouring of support for handmade things of beauty. It’s all about the soul, really.
I want the Love It all looks like love to me
I would be thrilled beyond belief for either prize, because I am batshit crazy for bath products. I really like to buy handmade things (although the cost can be a bit scary sometimes) because they are more wholesome and you can talk to the creator if you have questions. Plus,, buying from a person helps the person who made the product in a more tangible way than dropping a tiny bit into the bucket of a corporate machine that doesn’t even notice or care. I used to buy from Pink Flower Scents, but they have not been taking orders for awhile. Thanks for the referrals on other choices!
OK – if I understand correctly I want to respond two ways … if I want to have a chance to win BOTH products. So, I hope just responding gives me a chance at the basket – with or without the basket … But on the gift certificate chance, I definitely have thoughts to share. I ALWAYS try to buy homemade … and I try to make it myself. I already spend more money on something NOT mass produced – I buy some LUSH products. I buy jewelery from the artists I meet. I make my own home decor stuff – curtains, pillows etc … always more satisfying, but NEVER cheaper. I am a single mom w 2 kids in college and give up other stuff so I can buy from ‘real’ people (vs mass produced). On Valentines day I brought home made Ginger snaps to work. Everyone LOVED them! So many commented they had never had home made Ginger Snaps. Sure, I have stuff Made in China (I’m so embarrassed!) but now that I have become more aware, I do my best to stay away. So, “GO HANDMADE!!”, and support those who can make handmade.
I want the love! I need the love!
I am partial to homemade items because of the love that goes into the making of these products. Not only are they more friendly to our bodies and our environment, buying homemade products lets the artisan share there passion with the world. When I make my own body scrubs, I love to give them as gifts because I know every time that person uses my product, I can bring them a little bit of happiness that I helped create.
I would really love the love; )
I would LOVE some love!!
I want the love!!! I love homemade possessions because they are more personal and fun to see the expressions on faces when you give as gifts. They are so unique and usually no two are alike. I love trying my hand at making natural products…so fun to see the final product. I feel natural products are better for everyone because they have fewer harsh ingredients.
I want the love!!!
I prefer handmade when possible–sometimes price or convenience makes that tough–but I love things that are unique and the only way to truly find that is to buy handmade!
I want the love…and I do prefer handmade stuff, but sometimes the cost is too high. I try to make as much of my own stuff as I can, but sometimes buying the ingredients can be costly. Essential oil, as an example, is pricey if I am only using drops for a specific item, and how often will I make that same recipe. I love the grapefruit cleanser, and that was a great use of stuff I had on hand. (Yes, I did dry the peel for that recipe, but now that I love it, I’ll dry all the peels.)
I guess the point I am trying to make here is that I’d like to be able to afford handmade things all the time, but making stuff myself is cheaper and much more doable for me.
I want in on the love too!
Handmade is definitely my favorite way to go. This applies to everything – food and bath products, furniture, cool clothing items. While I can’t afford to buy handmade everything all the time, when I do I appreciate and enjoy things so much more when I do. In addition to the quality being better, I like sending my money along to people and businesses who have enough balls to resist the call of more-money-no-matter-the-cost issued by mass marketing.
That basket is bananas, would LOVE it bunches…get it banana and bunches 🙂 sorry couldn’t resist please don’t hold it against me.
I want the love! Oh, how I want all. the. love.
I think the joy of buying handmade items *is* the love that is put into the items. People who make handmade items to share with others put in that ingredient that you can never find in mass produced products – passion!
(Sorry for the duplicate post–I swear, I’m not trying to fix the drawing in my favor, just slightly inept with computers!!)
I would LOVE the love!!
I would LOVE the love!!
I want that LOVE…please!
I love handmade goodies and I hope to get my road- side farmstand up and moving this spring with lots of my own handmade goodies that are made-with-love!!
I could definitely use some love! As an artist, I say handmade everyday!
As I’m approaching my 10th week of pregnancy, I’m thinking those lovely items would be great for pampering a pregnant lady!
I would always prefer to buy the handmade over the mass-produced. For one thing, the handmade tends to be healthier, if you’re talking stuff to ingest or to slather all over our bodies. For another, I know that a lot more care and attention went into producing the handmade item. Artistry went into it! And as a writer and an artist, I appreciate that on a fundamental level.
Unfortunately, as a writer and as an artist, I don’t have a lot of money. Those beautiful, lovingly crafted, handmade items are often prohibitively expensive. I can’t count the number of times I’ve fallen in love with a handcrafted item, turned it over to check the price…and then mournfully placed it back on the shelf or table.
I wouldn’t want the artisans to lower their prices…I’d just like to possess more cash to spend on their wonderful products! : )
I love buying local homemade products at the farmers market.
I think a lot of people mistakenly think that handmade = expensive but that’s not always the case. Perfume is my passion & I’ve discovered many wonderful scents on Etsy that are cheaper (but only in price) then their designer counterparts & in many cases their drugstore counterparts as well. When something is homemade I feel more of a connection not only with the product but the person behind the product. I feel this is just as important, if not more so. Lastly the quality & customer service have been without fail, superior.
and as far as the gift certificate goes…..Yes, I love giving homemade (and receiving) gifts WAY over the Walmart cheapo, ickys that I have no idea what are in them…..and I don’t mind paying a bit more for something good….but I do love making what I can & that is usually cheaper anyhow. Now the peoples receiving them aren’t always so very excited & that used to bother me….but now I realize, oh well, I did my best right?!? or is that not so cool?
I love it when my kids have been bathed, the kitchen is clean, the food EVERYWHERE at the dining table is swept. I love it when my husband and I can get this all done quickly so that we can just catch up or go to sleep. We try to make the best of the time. He asks me first, “You want a back rub, Honey?” I say No. How could I say no? Because I feel guilty recieveing when he is just as tired. I ask him if he wants a massage. He says no because he knows that I had turned down my massage for his sake. I love the quiet moments at the end of the day. With a 4 year old and a 2 year old and one on the way, we have our hands full but we love it too.
[email protected]
oh yes I wanna win the love!!!
I Want The Love!!!
I’m partial towards handmade delicacies due to my admiration for craftsmanship and desire for high quality ingredients…
I want the love! I’ve recently become hooked to your blog and am prepping to try some of your shared treasures- can’t wait! Thanks!
Yay!! Bring the love on!!
I want the love! I don’t know how anyone could not want it!
At the moment, I don’t buy many handmade products, but then again, I try not to buy much at all! I grew up sewing and quilting and being all sorts of crafty, and I love having so much choice and being able to produce high quality items. I really want to support DIYers but it’s going to have to wait until I’m out of school and am making enough money to cover my rent!
I want the love!!I buy homemade,handmade,handcrafted whatever one calls their creation.
It is the love that goes into every item that is made with the hands. I also buy from ladies or gents that sell out of their home or have a small business.
Send the Love!!!!
Betty
The gift basket sounds fun!! I’m already excited for whoever wins it! ( but would be really , REALLY excited if it’s me 😉 )
I’ve been making my own beauty products this year but haven’t come across any handmade by anyone else. I’ve just been in my own experimental bubble. Does anyone else have a pile of stuff that says “Please remelt me into something usable!” ??? Lol!
I would love, love, love to try someone else’s successes!!!
in the words of ll cool j, “i need love.”
This looks fantastic! I started making my own bar soap because of all my sensitive skin issues. That morphed into laundry soap, cleaners, and body care. I’m still working on the body care items with a recent shampoo fail that is now dog wash. LOL Trial and error. Kudos to everybody who makes their own, and shuns store bought!
Oh yes I want some love! What a great way to spread the word about the shops too! heading over to check some out! Thanks!
Show me the LOVE!! Please 🙂
I love buying handmade, but I don’t always have the budget for it. So I just etsy’s daily newsletter and drool over all of the shiny craftsmanship.
I’ve always been more of a DIY type myself. My mother has a lot of skills, so growing up I learned how to sew by hand and machine, and to knit and crochet. Having those skills from an early age has given me the confidence to learn how to do other things as I’ve gotten older like cooking, making soap and cleaning products. As a result I’m always in the middle of several projects and can rarely justify buying something off etsy when I know I can make it myself. However I’m very appreciative of how much time and effort things take to make by hand, so I understand why they charge what they do for their craftsmanship. Every once in awhile I realize that other artisans are better at doing things than I am so I buy something from them.
My favorite thing to buy handmade is jewelry because I can’t make it myself and there is so much nicer stuff out there than you can ever find at stores.
I want the love! Yea!
I want the love ^____^
But the GC would be nice.
My thoughts on handmade vs. mass-produced…
Well honestly I prefer handmade because you are able to build a relationship with the seller. It helps in getting the best for you and your money. I try and by handmade whenever possible and that carries into most other things in my life. I like to eat at local restaurants whenever possible and bonus points to the restaurants who use local ingredients and establish relationships with their suppliers. Right now the main thing getting in my way of buying handmade is that I moved to a completely new place and am trying to find all the wonderful things I left behind. However, I find that my options are also far more numerous here at the California coast. The farmers markets have been my latest obsession and resource for finding all kinds of handmade local products. Also, having a new higher paying job will help me in affording to treat myself 🙂
o give me! give me! 😉
I feel 100% safer using handmade over commercial beauty products. I think that is because, when i make the product, i see and and comfortable with everything that goes into it. I am also a firm believer that nature is the best cure for anything. Like Hippocrates said “Let food be your medicine.”
i want the love!!! *laugh*
i would go out of my way to buy handcrafted items. first of all, there’s an energy exchange that doesn’t occur with prefab goods, it suports art, it stimulates interpersonal exchange, it is more likely to respect the planet, it provides occupation for so-called unemployable, and it just FEELS right.
Here is hoping I win a basket!
Mass Produced is definitely cheaper and there are times when it is all you can afford. I am slowly phasing my mass produced goods for handmade when I can. Handmade is generally a higher quality, better looking and much more unique, which I appreciate. I also like to support people who are trying to have a connection to their work, as I think this is really missing in most of our society.
I love to buy handmade furniture, dinnerware, mugs, and candles. I like that no two are exactly alike and I can often have pieces customized.
I want the love!
I like buying homemade, but especially LOCAL homemade. It’s just like food, if your going to put it in (OR ON) your body it better be free of crap that I can’t pronouce and full of great ingredients that I love.
Unfortunately, the only reason to buy mass-produced is the price.
Of course I want the love! It looks amazing!!
Yes, please sign me up for some love! That peppermint scrub sounds lovely, I was just about to make my own peppermint scrub the other day…still working on that one.
I have recently discovered the fun and exciting world of making homemade beauty and cleaning products. I love mixing up different ingredients knowing that I am creating something that is both non-toxic and economical.
I am inspired by the creativity yet the simplicity of those who do such a fine job in creating their own products.
I want the love! I need the love!
As for buying homemade; I love buying homemade when I can. It makes me feel like a better person all around, because the products are not only better for me, but I am supporting another person in their dream, and also usually my local community. I am a firm believer in supporting local business, and shop in smaller markets, restaurants, etc, anyway. Things that keep me from buying homemade? Usually price, but most often, its availability. I can’t always make it to the farmers markets, and ordering things online gets pricey with shipping, and sometimes you just want to smell something first, you know?
i definitely do think it is more desirable to buy handmade and try to do so as often as possible!
would love to win! 🙂
I love your blog and have made numerous items–and always are very nice.
Would love to be the winner of your “giveaway”
I want the love please! 🙂
I think handmade wins over store bought anytime. Why? Because first off, you are supporting a small business and in doing so are part of the community of people who believe in the power of small businesses and craftspeople. Secondly, the quality of handmade goods are in many ways going to be higher than store bought. Many craftspeople put a lot of time and effort into providing the best ingredients for their wares and it shows in the quality of what you get. Thirdly, when you compare the energy, time and effort (aka love) that goes into a handmade item versus a machine made item, there is no contest as to which one is preferable!
i would love to have even some of that love. <3 everything sounds amazing!
i love to give handmade gifts, but they have mostly been of the edible or knitted variety so far. i'm hoping to make the jump to sharing crunchy beauty treats for some birthdays this year!
when i am thinking about what to give someone, so much more thought goes into a handmade gift than a store-bought one. what can i make for someone else that will brighten their day? and if the answer i come up with is something i don't actually have the skills or time to make, i like to look for something that has that same type of care put into it, that isn't completely mass-produced. i think my favorite thing about handmade gifts is that they can be so tailored to the recipient and what will make them smile, rather than what will make the average person pull out their plastic.
I totally want and need the love!
I try my best to only buy homemade. There is just something so honest and forthright about it. I feel like I am selling my soul to the devil when I guy mass produced. Where is the craftmanship, the passion and the love of the process. My neice asked me once, “Why do you always bake the boys’ birthday cakes?”. My husband answered her before I could. He said: “It’s because she loves them and baking isn’t easy. It takes time and effort. It shows how important someone is. Because, when you give your time away to make something for someone is telling them you love them without having to say a word.”
Yes, he got lucky that night. HA!
I want the love too!
I love homemade products especially because I am very careful about what I use on my body as well as what I put in my mouth. The reason for this is because I found out 14 months ago that I had breast cancer. I am doing alternative treatment instead of the standard chemo & radiation therapy. So for this reason I have become very careful to have everything homemade!
I,ve been pretty much a homemade person before , but not to this extent. I’ve always thought it is an expression of love to take the time to make something yourself or what someone else has made themself if you purchase it handmade. ( By the way, I’m doing very well with my
cancer treatment.)
I want the LOVE!!!
Thank-you for all your wonderful blogs! I look forward to and love your e-mails…
I love handmade “products” because more than anything else, they feel like when they arrive you get a beautiful handmade gift; different in so many ways than buying something off a supermarket shelf! The love that is put into them is evident and each time I use something handmade I feel like I’m transporting some of that love into myself.
I would LOVE some love.
As far as handmade goes, I try to buy and support handmade artists (being one myself!) as well as anything locally grown and made as much as possible. There is something very special about an object that has been made by one’s hands vs. something machine made. It is almost sacred in this day and age.
Thank you, Betty, for this blog and opportunity!
I have a friend, well she has become my friend since I started buying from her a few years ago at our local Farmer’s Market in Wake Forest, NC. Gael makes the most wonderful soaps, lotions, candles, incense… the list goes on & on…
Gael’s wonderful concoctions and potions are reflections of her inner love!
http://blessedbesoaps.com/
I do think it’s more desirable to buy handmade stuff. It’s better made and more care and attention is put into making the product beautiful, as well as doing what it claims to do. Unfortunately for me there’s not much handmade shops to be had. If I want handmade I generally have to go to a convention or something. There is one shop though about 40 minutes away from my house that I will always take pleasure in travelling for. It’s a soap shop and i don’t know the name of it as we just kindly refer to the owner as the soap lady. Everything she makes is just lovely and her shop smells wonderful. I even found an old childhood memory of bath time in the smell of one of her soaps (my mom must have bought a soap with the same smell back then). I wish there were more shops like hers around as the quality and exclusivity is just top notch compared to mass produced fake promises.
I want the love! I need the love!
I am (as my husband put it) “not new to the crunch train” but I am new to the crunchy level of which I am currently aspiring! Thanks to your site and a few others found via Pinterest, I am mixing up my own concoctions and loving it. I am off the topical and oral acne meds that I have been using for years (I’m 44 years old) and my skin has never been happier. And… bonus… I’m sleeping like a baby for some reason! Handmade anything, in my opinion is far better than mass-produced.
I want the Love.
When you come across an artist that puts there heart and soul into there product, how can you not support that. If more of us stood by such people, this world would be a better place.
I want the Love
..my collection of handmade objects has been gleaned from what i call the markets of America..yard sales. . such an awesome cultural experience and super-duper cheap!..this 47yr.Taiwanese Detroit -Irish girl grew up going to markets in Bangkok, Istanbul, Damascus.. etc., my delight at discovering yard sales in the US saved my sanity and budget!.. the best of all worlds, lovely handmade, vintage, quirky items, re-use mass produced items, meet people who consider me a saint for taking their excess…wow!..yes, sooo virtuous!!
I’ve recently fallen in love with these soaps. The owner is a stay-at-home mom. http://littlewitchsoap.weebly.com/
My family and I always buy local, handmade or homegrown, whenever possible. There is a spiritual element to handmade and homegrown things! As though, the farmer or artisan put a little of their heart or spirit into the product. It takes more time, more of an effort, to make things from scratch, but that only makes them more special. When we travel, we try to find local farmers markets or festivals to purchase items that we may never have tried before. My husband and I were both raised to buy local to support the community we live in, and we are raising our three children the same way. It amazing to see the variety of things available that are made locally by hand, when you really open your eyes and start looking around! Fresh produce and meats, local dairy, soap and candles, clothing, even my handbag was designed and made by a lady in my community!
Yes darling, I want the love!
And, I love your blog, your being,
and your beautiful ways.
I want the love!!! It’s drizzly, cold, and gloomy out my window so a little loving pampering of oneself sounds very uplifting! I love handmade products too. (And thanks for no hoops to jump through!!)
For me, handmade products have made it possible to keep my
sanity. Sounds extreme, right? Not so. Two years ago, I was a product junkie. I
was so addicted to products, I had specific perfumes to match my outfits. I was
also plagued with pretty horrible migraines. Turns out, I have a condition
known as Multiple Chemical Sensitivity. I remember the night after I found out
why I was sick clearing out my perfume collections, my body lotions, my shampoo,
my conditioner, my soap, my
anything-with-a-synthetic –fragrance. It was heartbreaking. I had never
realized before that point just how much of my identity was wrapped up in these
products that were essentially killing me.
I picked myself up, though, and I started searching around
for something, anything, to replace everything I had given up. At first, I was just trying to find some
shampoo. I figured I could deal with having no girly extras like perfume and
nice lotion, but I COULD NOT walk around with nasty hair. Nothing in the stores
was “clean” enough for me to use. That’s when I turned to Etsy. I discovered a
world full of artisans dedicated to wholesome products good for me and good for
the planet. From that moment on, every
single product that I use on a daily basis for self care is handmade, either by
a crafts person or myself.
When it comes to products I use, I have to brag on Aquarian
Bath. I cannot live without her shampoo bars. They leave my hair feeling, well,
like hair. There’s no need to use a vinegar rinse or conditioner- just suds up
and rinse out. I also have to brag on
For Strange Women’s perfumes- especially November in the Temperate Deciduous
Forest. It smells like you took a chilly stroll through an ancient Elven forest
and stopped in for chai in the Shire before heading home to a cozy fire. Exactly like it. I could keep going on, too-
Lil Sprout Organics has the best essential oil candles ever, and Sobe
Botanicals makes the best lip colors in the world. If you even need a list on
places to get wonderful handmade products from lipgloss to toothpaste, just hit
me up. I don’t mind sharing and bragging. After all, these little shops gave me a huge part my life back.
I want the love!
Luv! Lubins! Luvin’s! Lovie Dovie! Love-Love-Kiss-Kiss! (sorry had to throw that in there) Oh Me! Oh My! No matter how you say lovin’ we all come a’runnin’! My skin thanks you too – since it’s love-kissed and dewy…all thanks to youie!
A salute and “shout out” to those that painstakingly and lovingly (there’s the love again) create such gifts to not only better our lives but enchants us with goodies that’s off the beaten path. Oh yes, hand-made with all their tender care has my support “hands-down”. I feel so – well – loved… *-)
Ooh, pretty! I want some love, please!
I want the love!
I am new to homemade products, this website, and a more “natural” way of life. I guess I’ve always just gone to the store and bought what was advertised. I hoping to learn about this way of living using healthier products for my family and for myself. Thanks for the inspiration!
These Products all look amazing. I want the love!
Oooh, send me some love, please? Pretty please?
Handmade products…where do I start? I’ve always had a love affair with them. My mom was a crafter, not of body goods, but of home goods. I grew up crafting, building, creating with her. It’s a wonderful set of memories that I have, that all involve my mom and me making things. Sometimes it was food. Sometimes it was gardening. Sometimes it was ceramics. Sometimes it was just silly felt snowflake cutouts to hang on the Christmas tree. But ALL of it was love. All of it. I work more hours than my mom did when I was little, and it makes me intensely sad that I don’t have this kind of time to spend with my daughter. My mother made me who I am, and she didn’t even realize what she was doing at the time. While I could be making a lot more money working as an engineer, I chose to be a designer. I LOVE to create things. I work in a museum, building exhibits for all to see and learn from. I love it. It doesn’t pay a whole heck of a lot (it is a non-profit, after all!), but I love my job. I love getting dirty. I love creating something from nothing. And my second major in college was ceramics. Not because I ever want to make money at it, but because I simply love it. Why do I love it? Because it was something I used to do with my mom when I was a kid. There is a pure and simple joy in taking a pile of clay and shaping it into something beautiful.
Now I’ve started making my own body products. My face thanks you, Betty, for all you have shared here. Because of you, and your wisdom, and the wisdom of all who leave comments on your blog, I have learned sooooo much. I’m a healthier person. I’m a happier person. And I’ve finally started to LOVE my skin, without having to use prescription medications. 🙂 Do I buy handmade products? You bet! I love knowing I’ve directly helped someone support their passion, their hobby, their family. Buying that product helps to feed their soul. And sharing that product with someone else helps to feed THEIR soul. It’s a win-win all around. My budget sometimes won’t allow me to buy every handmade item I want, but I buy what I can. And I share it even more. It’s far easier for me to spend my money on handmade items when they are gifts for others. I love highlighting local artists and artisans when I send gifts to friends and family that are far away. It’s like giving them a little bit of my daily life, and it makes me feel like they are closer than they really are. I’d like to think, too, that they appreciate the thought that goes into choosing those handmade gifts, because I’ve taken the time to find something that I think is perfect for them, something that no one else in the world has. And as I said before, it’s a great big love-fest when I do, because it feeds the souls of at least 3 people in the process–the creator, the buyer (me), and the receiver. It doesn’t get much better than that, does it? 🙂
The way you graciously promote those that are generous enough to contribute to your giveaways make me want to click on each link and buy everything they sell (if only I had the $$$). I can almost smell them and feelth as you describe them. Thank you for being so kind to share your tips and tricks for crunchy beauty and promoting those that sell their wares.
I would love to receive any of them!
oh mi amore…share the love !!
I am still somewhat new to the crunchy world so while I do not have a lot of experience with homemade things…other than what I have made myself, I do adore homemade items over store bought, mass produced stuff. Last Christmas, I went against certain families members Christmas lists and made every single gift that I gave. And you know, not only did it FEEL wonderful to put so much time, love, and energy into them – but even those that pushed for the store bought things had a change of heart. They loved their gifts and loved that I cared enough to do them myself. I would LOVE to find a group as you have for the homemade exchange – to me, it isn’t just about taking better care of our earth or keeping chemicals out of the house, or even being frugal – although ALL of those things are extrememly important to me. It’s also about the heart, love, thought, energy, and time that someone has poured into making that item with their own two hands. For me, it all boils down to this : homemade = love and beauty.
When a product is handmade, you are bringing into your home the essence of another, something that cannot be mass produced or made by machine. You develop a heart link and a sense of calm and warmth.
i WANT THE LOVE!!
Yes! I would love to have a super lovely extremely crunchy Basket of Love to love.
I love hand made things of all sorts and I love making things of all sorts as well. Thanks to stumbling upon this fantastic site a while back, I have even started to craft some of my own personal care items. Thanks Betty. Warm hugs and smiles to you Ms Crunchy Betty!
The only thing that really keeps me from buying more hand craftred things would be my budget. Otherwise I would buy everything hand made that I could find.
Speaking of baskets, that is one thing that is always hand made by someone somewhere. That sure is a lovely basket that you have there in all the pictures, hint hint.
I want the love! I have recently been making changes because of all the chemicals I realized were going on my body in the form of shampoos and body washes and such, so homemade has a big appeal to me, because I know what’s in it is good for me and I can control what goes into it! I also love handmade things because they’re personal and personalize-able 🙂
I want the love!
And as for why I choose handmade products: I am a Certified Nurse Midwife and I have vowed to first, do no harm and second, to do good (it’s part of the hippocratic oath that health professionals take). I think that handmade products do both of those things. They don’t harm the plant by using weird chemicals and tons of packaging, or our little bodies when we lather, rub, inhale and massage them into ourselves. And, they usually work awesomely well, so they are doing good as far as I’m concerned.
Oh my gosh! What an awesome mix of goodies! I’d love a chance to win, thanks 🙂 Personally, I do like the benefit of cost from mass-produced stuff, but my favorite items of ANYTHING are handmade or small-company produced. For beauty products particularly; things that are mass-produced or chemically enhanced make me break out in horrible rashes 🙂 so there’s that. I love supporting the little guy when I can!
I would love some love! I have to say that this might be a record for comments I’ve seen on this site in one day. Amazing Betty! I would like to buy handmade more often but my limited budget often prevents me from supporting local, handcrafted goodies. Thank you for offering to help us all out! Crunchies unite!!
How do I know if it put my email with my name? 🙁
…I definitely want the love!
And yes, I love buying handmade when I can. At home, I live near Amish country, and some of the best things I’ve ever bought, tried, or tasted came from there. Also, farmers markets. I have a deep, abiding addiction to farmers markets. I grew up in a place where a lot of times, you would know the people selling the goods. Even if you didn’t, there’s some sort of connection–a connection made by buying goods they made–that makes it easier to start a conversation. Handmade goods, however you get them, are so much more….connected. It’s hard to explain.
I only have two problems when it comes to buying handmade—price, and location. As a college student with no car, no fridge, and (almost) no money, it can be difficult to buy handmade goods. Because even if I find a place that sells them, or get them online, they are almost certainly beyond my price range. There IS a farmers market in my college town that opens in the spring, though…and I most definitely look forward to checking it out!!
(P.S. If, at some point, you could write a post with some tips for college students looking to live slightly crunchier, that would be amazing!! Or if you already have (I’m kind of new here, in case you can’t tell), a link would be extremely extremely appreciated!)
I want the love!
I want the love! This looks fantastic!
I need some LOVE! I love going crunchy & I love what I have learned from other people’s victories. From what I have learned, it has proved to me more that homemade everything is a much safer way to go & can even be cheaper. Homemade products are fun to do as a family & fun to order from others.
I love this!! I always prefer handmade – especially those folks that are forthright about their ingredients! My friend gave me a bag of handmade (not by her though) body products for singing in her wedding. My favorite is a solid lotion push up bar – stress relief!
Send some love my way! Or at least some deoderant… the transition to making my own has been a smelly one.
Have you tried a combo of cornstarch and baking soda mixed with cocoa butter, coconut oil, and a hint of EO? I made some and I love it. I’m a preschool teacher and am very active in my classroom and out. It isn’t and antiperspirant, but keeps the stink at bay. And other staff at my school have asked me to make them some, too. Good luck!
Love please. 🙂
The only obstacle I have to buying hand-made products is my income — I’m in the middle of vet school and can only manage about 20 hours of work a week on top of classes. Even in a cheap apartment with four other people and a monthly food budget of $100, I still only have about $30 left over each month for savings, toiletries, etc. It’s a bummer, I really want to support people’s art.
Most of the time, if I buy handmade, I prefer it to be candles and such. I know care has been taken into consideration to make sure the best scent/creation is best for the body. (Plus, if it it is chemical free, the better!)
oh! Pick me! Pick me!
Hi….I DEFINITELY want the love!
I shop homemade as much as possible, etsy, the farmer’s market, and the many craft shows I go to. I am crafter myself and I see the winds of change upon us as people become more aware, and more concerned about exactly where the products they purchase come from.
It’s time for a revolution—-I see it in the organic food movement as well. People are (mostly) willing to pay for quality over quantity as we become increasingly aware than more is not necessarily better—-cheap is not the major factor to consider when making a purchase, and that contributing to individuals over corporations ROCKS!
Sue in Ohio
sunnyhawklane@gmail:disqus .com
Personally, I prefer handmade over mass produced, for several reasons. First, I can generally trust handmade not to have yucky ingredients in them. Even though mass produced stuff is labeled, you often can’t pronounce half of the names let alone figure out why they are in there to begin with. I have very sensitive skin, as does my daughter, so knowing what is in the products we buy is essential. Second, I know that when I buy a handmade product I am usually supporting a small business and not a big corp. I absolutely take measures to buy handmade as much as possible, and usually limit the places I shop at by whether or not they offer handmade products.
Love to make and to buy hand made items – from the packaging to the product these items are inspired, quality and made with love! And, this is what I love about buying made from scratch!
Currently my friend at Pure Blend tea is mixing up organic fair-trade tea’s and matcha’s with a purpose. I look forward to stopping at her table at every Farmers Market!
I love to buy homemade over mass produced. I love going to craft shows/farmers markets, etc. It is my favorite thing to do on a Saturday. I love talking with the vendors, sampling & getting ideas on what I could make myself. The hard part is online shopping is so easy & makes the extra effort to make another stop with small kids seem not worth it!
I def want the love:) thanks for the giveaway ans awesome site!
I love the idea of all these products! Especially the perfume! I haven’t found any natural ones I like so far. It’d be nice to have one I can spray on my skin and smell good every where rather than spraying it on my clothes like some sort of smell condom. Hand soaps always make me feel cleaner and less dry! I could really use some! Money’s been tight for me lately so I can’t afford the good stuff right now. Hope I win! XD [email protected]
I want the love
What an amazing giveaway! ahhhh. The descriptions alone are ahhhhhh, soothing, comforting.
Now, why I buy homemade.
I buy hand crafted items because it’s what I have come to trust. My experience is that a hand crafted item comes about from self discovery and enlightenment, as a result these products are honestly marketed. You are buying a part of who they are and what they believe in.
I purposely go to local coops to purchase hand crafted items; whether it’s food or personal care items, I believe they are marketing not only the product but a part of themselves that has been on a journey that lead them there.
I also appreciate the work that goes in to the final result. It’s not the 8 hours to put the product together, it’s the 20 years of a cumulative knowledge base that goes into the final product label.
I want the love!! Pretty pretty please!
I am trying to hand make more of everything, but it would be awesome to find a seller of handmade wares too.
I think handmade trumps factory every time, but it is good to know that some of these sellers are growing large enough to mass produce. The more conscientious businesses we support, the fewer nasty chemicals end up on/in our bodies.
Thanks for getting the word out about these lovely businesses!
I want the Love,please. Absolutely!
And to be fair, you’ve given me so much love already.. Your posts & all your teachings, potions and lotions, try this instead of using that… so,thank you for all the great lessons and ideas. Keep the good work!
I want the love, I give the love and I would like to receive the love…all you need is love 🙂
I believe you are in the midst of a revolution with your website. I stumbled upon crunchy betty through pinterest and I am so totally hooked. I am a Massage Therapist who is always looking for the best homemade preservative free treatments for my clients and for myself…oils, lip balm, body treatments, balms, salves, lotions etc. Just this week I have made deodorant, toothpaste and soap…at home…with natural ingredients…with much success…and EVERYONE i know, knows about it! With this site, you have made the love of knowledge possible through your many recipes and articles. Thank you for spreading the love. Why buy commercial mass produced yuck-iness when you can hand make your own from fresh (local if possible) ingredients with love from your own hands and into others? Love is all about sharing, so, I have been…with everyone I know…clients, friends, co-workers, my family and friends. Handmade items are somewhat inexpensive to make, sometimes more expensive to buy but…if i have the money to buy from others I do. If not, I dont think there is anything wrong with taking to the time to research the things you like and making them on your own. With your site, you have made that possible. Thank you 🙂 I am now a crunchy betty and proud to be one!
I want the love. [email protected]
I want the love! <3
heck yes I want the love.
With young kids it comes down to convenience and money. If I am going to spend the extra moolah to buy handmade I would rather just buy the supplies and make it myself because usually I can reuse/have extra supplies. Otherwise if I don’t have time I probably don’t (or shouldn’t) have time to browse the internet and find handmade what I could buy (albeit a cheaper product in all senses) at a nearby convenience store. So simply- I would rather make it than buy it.
I want the love!!!!!!!! Because I enjoy hand-crafted items without all junk in them. I also enjoy reading about herbs, oils and time honored cooking traditions (from scratch and organic as possible). My husband and I are currently trying to get to our spot to make a living creating food that is natural and pure. My dream is to have a store dedicated to herbs and oils, filled with books, where I can teach others how to use oils and herbs to create to their own products. I make my own shampoo, face wash, skin oil and lip balm. Currently, I have a lot to learn but it is so fabulous and rewarding to do what I know. Even my failed attempts at lotion are rewarding:)I prize hand crafted items over mass produced because of the purity and passion that is in them. There is something so special and healing about using a soap that is crafted from pure lavender flowers and a touch of bergamot oil. Don’t you just feel the essence? I do and its quite relaxing!!!!!!
Sign me up for the love!
As for handmade products, I love them. I try to buy from local vendors, whether it’s the Soap Diva who sells her handmade soaps and creams at the local farmers market or the lady who sells her hand poured candles that are sold at a local gift shop. These items are real. They are full of passion and pride. I make my own seasonings and I know the care and love and quality that goes into these things. No item imported from China or mass produced can beat the feel of getting into the shower with a bar of handmade Organic Flowers or Lavander soap. The aroma swirls around you and just relaxes you so much more than the fake, overpowering scent of mass produced, chemical laden items from the big stores. Yes, they may be more expensive but you just can’t beat the quality and it’s a small price to pay to support those thing that are made right her at home!
I want the love! Love, love your blog, and have recommended it to all of my crafty friends, and some non-crafty ones as well.
As for handmade – yes ideally everything is better handmade. The love and intention and higher quality components are unarguably better. However, busy working mums who have done years of research for quality mass produced products sold in health food stores need the ease of purchasing and the comfort from experience with those products that desired results will be guaranteed. It’s hard to dole out higher prices to try new handmade products that may not be what you like. For handmade, I usually make my own rather than buy someone else’s handmade though I am an impulse buyer at the summer farmer’s markets! Or if I see local handmade products at whole foods or such I’ll try them out.
Thanks for being awesome!
I want the love! I just found your awesome site about a week ago, on a search for information about natural laundry stuff (dryer balls/soapnuts). I’m about to have our first baby, and I don’t want chemicals all over the brand new person I’m making. Making my own cleaning products rocks! I’m about ready to move on to making my own beauty products. It’s really interesting so far, and I already feel like I’m helping the environment (and myself…and my baby!). Thanks for having such a great, informative place to go for thorough research, with lots of wonderful pics.
Wanting the love 🙂
I always prefer handmade especially if I’m able to chat with the vendor. The only thing that would prevent me from buying something handmade would be if it was WAY out of my price range. Otherwise bring on the local-made good stuff!
I want the love, I need the love….gimme some love puhlease!
Natural and handmade products help make my world a little fresher, sweeter and happier! I prefer the smell of sweet oranges, soothing lavender, spirited peppermint over a grumpy, toxin riden chemical anyday! Oh what joy it would be to my body and soul to recieve an loving basket of these precious goodies to make it seem as though heaven can be reached, if only for a few sweet moments, here on earth! Crunchy Betty ROCKS!
Im Pam by the way and LOVE your site 🙂 [email protected]
Definitely want the love! 🙂
All we need is Love, And this momma would love the LOVE!
As an aesthetician I’ve always been very into skin care. I have supported some small companies on Etsy and plan on becoming a seller myself by the end of this year. Thank you for all the information you provide! Crunchy Love to you!
VANESSA GARCIA. Waxinmama@yahoo. com
I WANT the love 🙂
Love love love…. (hark, I hear a song), please love me! There is something about handmade goodies that make one feel so special & pampered. My best guess, it’s is the love & absolute attention that goes into to each of these products that gives it the priceless goodness you feel when using them. I care what goes into my families blessed lil bodies, inside & out, & if they can feel the “love” & attention that went into the goodies… double whammy! Thank you so much for doing this for us! You must love us, really really love us… (I see a Field in the distance)!
I want to give the love:) Although who wouldn’t love all of that awesome decadency for themselves, I would rather share the love with my best friend (who is in Washington, I live in Alaska). She just had her second child and could definitely use some love and pampering:) Handmade is so much more than just buying a wonderful product. It’s an appreciation of someones talent, time and dedication rather than just filling some corporate bottom line. There’s care that goes into the crafting and excitement (on my part) about knowing that if someone else can do it, why not me too:)
I want the love:). Supporting small businesses and all things handmade makes it all that more lovely. thank you. peace.
I want the love, Betty. Thanks for not making me jump through hoops. But, I have liked you on facebook and pin you on pinterest, so it wouldn’t be too much trouble if you did. Except for Twitter. I’ve managed to avoid that somehow.
Regarding homemade vs. commercial: I prefer the little guy and I’ll pay more for it even though I’m on a super-tight Ramen-noodle-dinner-budget for my family of five. I like supporting the people who are “changing the world” one homemade natural product at a time. It’s important. If I don’t have the time to make it myself, my decisions in how I spend my money are important. (Don’t even get me started on child labor.) I dare say that your vote with your wallet is more effective than your vote at the polls.
I especially prefer to buy products from people who I’ve been able to meet and who are so excited to tell me about their product. They’re helping me by making a great product so I want to help them be successful. I’d rather pay more to them for a great product than less to some corporation who makes a lesser product and rapes the environment and the little guys in the process.
Consider Amy: http://www.bubblesbybrooks.com/our-story/ When I met her she told me about how her skin suffered from the treatments she had to get for her Leukemia. She was down about her sickness and her awful skin problems and a friend of hers who knew of her skin issues gave her a bar of soap she’d gotten at a farmer’s market. Amy was like, “great! soap! whoop dee doo! I have LEUKEMIA and you’re giving me SOAP?” (I imagine she didn’t say it to her face…) And she threw the soap in a closet. Until she got so frustrated that she actually tried it. And you know what? Her skin got better.
Now, we live in Rochester, MN, home of the Mayo Clinic. She had tried skin lotions and treatments that the Mayo doctors had prescribed, that the Clinic physicians had developed. Nothing worked as well as this homemade soap did. So Amy started doing some research and then she started making her own soap and then her husband told her that if she was going to be making so much soap, she’d better start selling it. I only met Amy once and we talked for about 15 minutes at a craft fair where she was selling her soap. I will forever buy her soap. I want her to do well, but also, it’s great stuff and my skin loves me for buying it.
My cousins have an organic dairy farm. They sell to Organic Valley. I’ll pay the price for Organic Valley milk because 1.) I see when I visit them the hard work and personal attention they give to every cow and to their farm. 2.) I see the requirements that Organic Valley has for them to be able to take their milk. 3.) I want them to be successful because I want them to continue providing me with an alternative to the cheaper milk. It’s cheaper for a reason, people.
What would have happened if Amy’s friend had never given her a bar of soap? It’s the little choices on what we give, what we make, and where we spend that will change the world.
[email protected]
I love homemade and home grown! I live natural products and natural local (mostly from my farm) foods. I have peace of mind when I am eating/using what I have made or someone else made from scratch. I understand sometimes I may be looking at a higher price tag but to me that is still worth knowing and doing! I will always buy the homemade/homegrown first! I would love to win your prize, what a treat! Thanks
I want the love! I am new to your website and love it! I am new in trying to make homeade deodorant, it seems to be working. I also have started making homeade cleaners for the counters and currently trying out some orange peels! I am a big fan of supporting homeade items, my cousin makes soap and I am always buying frome her. My kids love it!
Hi!
I like handmade products, because they’re usually more eco-friendly, more natural, and better for your skin and body. However, sometimes they are also pricier than the regular retail junk, but I do like to make my own with simple ingredients like vinegar, oils, baking soda, etc.
I want the love! Forget random.org, just send it to me! heehee.
As far as buying handmade goes, I am there all the way. I would much rather spend my hard earned dollars supporting someone’s small, made in the USA, business than spending it on all the chemicals that are produced in foreign countries. When I do buy skin care products, I buy them at craft shows or markets, so I don’t really have a favorite. (Mountain Rose Herbs is my favorite supplier.) But since I am a total DIY gal, I like to try my hand at making my own. That is the only thing that keeps me from buying everything already made. So far I have only mastered the toothpaste and lip balm. I still need some work on the hand and body creams and deodorant. Your post yesterday was just what I needed to hear. I need to trust myself to get it right. One of these days, it will happen!
Thanks for hosting such an awesome give away!
Alrighty so I’d LOVE to win the love and I want to tell you about my heart for handmade. I am a crafter and I’ve always had a love for handmade stuff. I love to go to the local art shows and art markets and browse, appreciating the quality and unique products but rarely buying anything because I’m a starving artist here too! (I couldn’t resist:)) In the last few years, I’ve been more inclined to buy locally made or grown things and to buy stuff online from small businesses even if it costs a little more. I started a photography business and while I always knew that the artists had overhead costs to cover, I never really had a grasp of just how much that is until I figured it up for my own business. I realized that these artists would be making minimum wage or less if they charged what a comparable store would charge. I respect entrepreneurship and it really tugs at my heart to think of the families behind the craftsmen at the local shows. (chetdaryl2005@ yahoo . com)
Heaven in a basket! Buying handmade gifts as well as giving them is very gratifying to me. The quality and attention put into a handmade item is generally night and day compared to a mass produced item in my opinion. You can literally feel the “love” put into a handcrafted item. I do not like buying mass produced products. I would rather pay more for something that has the best possible ingredients in them, and I like it when attention to sustainability is given when making them (recycled materials for packaging for example), and smaller batches usually allow for greater quality control and better attention to detail.
Love this basket and your site. Thanks to you, my husband, son and people I work with, think I have gone off the deep end…”you want me to use homemade deodorant?…seriously?” We now make our deodorant and toothpaste, laundry and dish detergent. I am using natural makeups . Any christmas presents given were handmade. Working up to “no poo” idea. Yeah…maybe I have lost my mind…but its kinda fun!
I WANT THE LOVE!!!!
I want the love…I NEED the love! 🙂
Thank you for introducing me to all that is Crunchy! I have had a crunchy soul, but never knew other “crazy” like-minded people are out there, or that it had a name! I have started using the OCM from your book and WOW, what a difference! Also, household cleaners are now so inconspicuous (water, vinegar, baking soda, etc) that when my in-laws stayed over to watch our kids when we were out of town – they went to the store and bought cleaning stuff! Ugh! Oh, well. Some people will never “get-it”. If you’re crunchy and you know it clap your hands…
I want the love!!!! I have just found you and love, love, love all of it!! Thanks for taking the time to share.
Libby Leatherwood
[email protected]
I need love! Thanks for the entry. As far as handmade items go, I have spent a lot in the past month on handmade items from Etsy because I love the thought of someone’s soul in their art and the connection made that way. Also they are unique, unlike mass-produced items. And it’s important to support artists, as our culture(any culture) is expressed through the arts.
I want the love! You describe everything so beautifully that anyone would want this. 🙂
I like the buy handmade items because they don’t contribute to the consumerist, throw-away culture the way mass-produced items do. It’s easy to throw out a plastic doodad produced by an anonymous factory worker, but a handmade item holds love and meaning inside, so it’s not as disposable. This makes people who buy handmade items into more conscious consumers.
I’d love dat Love! Thank you for the inspiration. Georgia.copeland (at) gmail.com.
Sa-woon! Yes, I want!
Why do I buy handmade/local? Because I can have an impact on my community by helping small and micro-businesses flourish. My husband says, “You are one person. What difference will it make if you don’t buy from MegaCorp?” but I know it matters. I don’t want funky chemicals on my body or my childrens’, so we garden, shop organic, and buy local. It’s just the right thing to do.
I want the love!!! I am really trying to go all natural with beauty products. But.. I am a perfume junky. I have tons of perfume and I know that they are toxic. I would love to find a great natural scent.
I want the love! Thank you for doing this. 🙂
I want the love! Of course I do. I still remember the first time I “splurged” on a bar of homemade goats milk soap. I literally thought I had died and gone to heaven. My skin felt so clean and smooth and moisturized! Then I realized I was lost. I had bought it at a crafts fair and didn’t have the gal’s address…it turned out ok cuz I just found her at the next one. Then I found our local co-op. I had stressed for no reason at all. =) I have purchased both handmade and “the other stuff.” I really don’t like the other stuff. But, my buying habits have cycled anyway. I go through a period of buying mass produced stuff, get unhappy with how my skin feels, then buy homemade. I came to the conclusion that I would start to make my own soap. (I did try before, but it was a sad, sad failure). And, Guess What?! If I had a picture I would show you the brilliant shampoo bars I just made!! I adore goat’s milk soap. I fact I am going to make some today. I love it so much I would raise goat’s just for the milk. There is a little shop outside of Livingston that sells it just like that. Holy Moley I wish I was her neighbor. Wait no, She has lots of rattlesnakes eek. I recently found your blog and I am really enjoying it!
I want a chance! I love, love, love your site. You have got me hooked on doing things on my own. I feel like it’s a return to basics…like what our mothers, mothers did and such! : )
I would LOVE the LOVE!
these products all look great! I do buy handmade — local AND handmade whenever possible. there’s something just right about it, particularly when the creator shares information about the products (why this ingredient and not that, etc.). I also like being able to see the people behind the products; in this era of mass over consumption, I’m dedicated to getting my life back to the basics and that means dealing with actual people vs machines and corporations as much as humanly possible!
Let this be my request for the love! <3
I have found that the mass produced, cheaper items never really fit my style. Over the years I have searched and am always disappointed that these retail stores do not carry items that speak to my soul.
However, when I discovered Etsy, a whole new world opened up to me! The artists who sell their wares were much more in tune with what I was looking for. The quality is amazing, I love to support individual businesses and my heart soars each time I find something that is totally "me".
Being a hand-crafter myself, it’s second nature for me to prefer a hand- crafted product. I know how good I feel when someone wants to buy my products, and I’m guessing the hand-crafter I am buying from feels the same. It’s totally win win !
Your giveaways are so awesome…Thank you for offering them up to others!
I love handcrafted (homemade/handmade) items of all types. I make most of my own and I like to support other folks who do the same for the items I don’t make. In my world, only certain friends appreciate the handcrafted/homemade. I buy mass-produced items for them (as gifts) when an “experience” doesn’t work. I have found over the years that I have forgotten how much cheaper and frantic the entire experience is.
Buying handmade means supporting someone’s passion and joy…and connecting with each other. Some of that passion and joy rubs off; and we’re all happier for it. 🙂
What a pitty. I live in the Netherlands.
But I still love you, Betty!
I want some love!!! After chasing a toddler around all day I sure could use it! 😀
In regards to buying handmade items, I like that the money goes directly to the seller and his/her family to help them pay bills, save for a family vacation, etc. You also get more personalized service, and more opportunity to customize your order. Unfortunately, we don’t have extra money on hand for me to buy non-essentials, but that’s why I make a lot of my own products for our family. 🙂
Oh, I don’t just want the love, I NEED the love! Trying to go natural, but it is a slow process for me!
Gimme some crunchy love!!! 🙂
I want the love! This all looks so amazing! I prefer to have homemade things rather than mass produced items because they’re healthier for me and the environment, but I don’t always get them because I don’t always have the funds. (It can be quite expensive!) I’m working on actually making my own products, rather than spending money, as well as recognizing that some things are worth the money. I’m sure it will come in time!
I want the love!!!! [email protected]
Well, of COURSE I want the love! Who wouldn’t?
As for handmade vs. commercially produced, handmade wins when it’s possible. Some things I just can’t figure out how to whip up myself. *sigh* I like to buy products that are handmade, preferably by local artists using local ingredients but sometimes that just doesn’t work. For a large part of my life, my choices were ruled by faulty financial reasoning. I am now at a point in my life where I am more financially set and I’m older and wiser. I am more comfortable with paying more for these things if I want to and I am also more capable of judging when a handmade product is worth the higher price. It is difficult to throw off all the years of societal conditioning but I am learning that value is a subjective situation–what is a bargain to me, may be a rip-off to you. Five years ago if you had told me that ‘inter-connectedness’ affects my considerations of how and where I spend my money, I would have laughed and said, “Excuse me?”
I find it ironic when you see some DIY project that takes hours and uses harmful and toxic chemicals with the end result of saving one RECYCLABLE glass bottle from the landfill–then said bottle is offered on Etsy for a hefty price-tag with the potential to be shipped anywhere in the world. And this is all done in the name of eco-friendly. I think we all have a responsibility to try to make better choices, and we need to find a balance that we can each personally live with. So, I will not try to make everything myself, and I do not plan to completely stop buying mass-produced items, I will try to keep learning new things so that I can make wiser choices with the things I do and the things I buy.
I covet the love!
As far as handmade, I prefer it mostly because there are usually far less chemicals and hazardous materials involved. I think most people who sell handmade started first just making it for themselves and their families. This would tend to be a safe and effective choice. I also like the fact that I am supporting small businesses, which drive our economy. I’ve read enough about big corporations to know they will do about anything to increase profits; that’s not for me…
I definitely want some LOVE 🙂 Thanks for hosting such a fantastic giveaway! I just came across your blog and I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it!! Thank you for the inspiration to create so many fantastic “recipes”!
I definitely want the love… kdbroden at gmail dot com
I WANT THE LOVE!!!!! ♥♥♥
I love buying handmade products. It’s so much better than buying mass produced junk. Most small businesses have way more integrity and love that they put right into their products along with the wonderful crunchy ingredients. I met my awesome friend when I stopped to buy some of her handmade soap at my local farmer’s market! I love knowing the person behind the products. I know where my money is going and I know it’s not buying a corrupt CEO a fancy new car or house that he already has 10 of. Some of my favorite companies are Sweet Libertine Cosmetics, Sugared Beauty(etsy), Celtic Complexion, Etniq Minerals, Nessa’s Naturals, Bubble and Bee, and I haven’t tried their products (YET) but I just discovered Anatomy Naturals and Simply Rustic(both on etsy).
What a great giveaway! Awesome!
Thanks for this. I want the Love!!
I DO want the Love. Please. Seriously, pretty please. 🙂
randishetley01@yahoo:disqus .com
Please.
Not afraid to beg. Does random.org take bribes???
🙂
Love this blog, I want the Love!!!. I work 65 hours a week and have an active 11 year old so I haven’t really taken the time to make my own bath products. I fell in lust with Lush because htey were the only handmade bath product company I knew of. Now I have a list of great handmade body wash items.
Count me in for the Lovely Love giveaway 😉
To be given an honest gift of a person’s passion, wow! The love, the thought and the positive energy put into these creations make these ‘acts of love’ not just tangible gifts for the body but gifts for the spirit and the soul… When someone offers these ‘gifts’ and you are able to receive them… not only are your surroundings more softly lit and smell divine… not only are your feet smoother and your skin softer but your soul is lifted and your spirit engaged, and that, my Crunchy Betty friends, is the real gift of love.
Wow what a great giveaway. Everything looks fantastic! I’d love to win and get to try all the goodies. I love your blog. It’s been a great help as I’m trying to get into more organic and natural products.
I want the love! But then again..doesn’t everyone? I would love to try these items. I have recently come over to the crunchy side ( or as I called it “granola” growing up =P ) and have made some changes. I would love to see what others have done with their creations. I hope this will inspire me as well. Thanks for the opportunity!!!
I want the love!!!
In love with your blog and book!!!!
I want the love!!!!! This is such a generous, amazing, heartfelt giveaway. Thank you for giving me the chance to win, but thank you MORE for introducing me to such wonderful, handmade shops!
I want the love!
And I like homemade things much more than mass-produced things. Homemade things have thought put into them and are made with much more care than mass-produced items. And homemade things tend to be better quality than Mass-produced and last longer. Homemade items can be passed down throughout the ages and become treasured heirlooms. Mass-produced things could, but it’s unlikely since they’re made to be used and thrown away once the usefulness is done with.
I want the Crunchy Love!!!
I want the love! [email protected]
I want the love!! 🙂 Thanks for the links to these great sellers, too, I will definitely be checking them out!
my email is [email protected] (!)
Oh I want the love, I NEED the love. First time commenter, long time reader. I’ve been doing the hot oil treatment on hair and also on face, and wow, I have not one split end and my face looks great. (also wash with honey…)
Yippie. I hope I dom’t screw up the random drawing, but I just wanted to say thank you for your awesome support. Plus, I just wanted to tell you that I have indeed changed my mind, and the bath cubes are staying. They’re just getting a very sexy makeover. You’ll be the first to know when they’re ready for their big reveal. Thanks again for the love. XOXOX
Oh, I would just love to have that basket of love!! What an amazing giveaway, Betty, such a great idea!
here’s my email: [email protected]
I want the love!
About buying handmade….
I try hard to raise my family (and myself!) naturally. Part of this means making our own “beauty” and personal products, which is why I was so happy to find the Crunchy Betty site. (My fifteen-year-old niece came over for a visit and her face was clear of acne and glowing. When I told her how lovely she looked, she told me she had Crunchy Betty to thank. This was a really big deal for her. She had tried everything to clear her acne.) The other part of a natural, sustainable life is buying local and handmade products. This definitely takes more effort than just purchasing mass-made items, yet there are many rewards. When I buy handmade I get a better product, it’s healthier for my family and the planet. I know I’m supporting another human in her/his effort to earn an income in a way that is respectful to all of us sharing this world. I know I can feel good about my purchases and I think I’m helping people to see the beauty of handmade when I give them as gifts. I especially like buying handmade from a business/seller that is helping others or giving back to the community, which many sellers are. The one thing that does make buying handmade a bit harder is the cost. It’s generally more expensive to buy handmade than it is to buy over the counter, mass-produced items. While my budget definitely makes sure I don’t become a “big-spender”, I know that the higher cost of handmade is worth it. I understand the work that goes into producing handmade and the higher cost of the maker’s ingredients and materials. Plus, the benefit of being able to show my kids the value of handmade products, and the old adage of “you get what you pay for” holds true for handmade. Also, my kids get to see how our purchases make a statement as to what we think is important to support and shows how we care for our world and the people in it.
That said, my favorite part of buying handmade it knowing that someone put so much love and care into making the product. I swear you can feel it when you use a handmade item!
I want the love quite badly.
I want the love!
I tend to be overly analytical, but I suppose that whether handmade is better or not depends in large part on the type of product. Food as well as beauty & health products? I definitely prefer them to be handmade, and by my own hand where possible. Cleaning supplies? I do like some handmade products. However, I simply haven’t been able to find a handmade laundry soap that I really like. I used a homemade version for about a six months until my husband complained that his whites had turned gray and his clothes didn’t seem to be as clean.
i want the love!
handmade is beautiful and wonderful! it’s the ultimate flattery to our creator, considering he handmade us. it’s supporting the love that people put into their products. it’s hoping that more people learn the importance of giving their all to something and making it a good quality. it’s hoping for a better world for the next generation if we could just incorporate what we have learned and how we have advanced into keeping things simple and pure.
I want love too! I love your blog!
I want the love…pretty please…with sugar on top…and a cherry too 🙂
I’d love the love! 🙂
Yep. I want the love! ☺ Holy Frijoles, what a giveaway! Thank you. Off to check out these shops.
Show me some LOVIN’!! 🙂
I have been making my own products at home, so I haven’t purchased hand made from any independent shops yet. I am lucky enough to be a first grade teacher with some very crunchy moms who have given me some of their hand made soaps and candles over the years. But I must say that I take pride in making my own creations and sharing my crunchiness with my colleagues! 🙂 I guess I’m spreading a little LOVE of my own!! 🙂
Cheers!
Amanda 🙂
Yes, please… I’d love to have the love! Thanks, Betty; you’re the greatest!
I want the Love….In fact, I NEED the Love!
Oh my, oh my! This looks fantastic and thank you for the opportunity, by the way! I currently only buy homemade or from a smaller company. For so many years I trusted a big “natural” company and one day I did an ingredient search…yikes on that! I immediately scoured the internet for homemade products because, hey, I’d like to make my own but time does not allow me to do EVERYTHING I want to do (that’s a huge lesson I learned in my life, I’m told 😉 )
So without further ado, I would LOVE to have a chance to try Arabesque Aromas because 1). I don’t have time to make my own, 2). I really like supporting small businesses, and 3). My dearest husband could probably handle these scents and not get a migraine and so I can smell pretty for him!
I want the love!
I would love to win the Arabesque Aroma’s Gift Cert.~ I have bought handmade soaps for years and love them. People that have the passion and desire to hand craft are my heroes! It is more desirable to buy from someone who loves to create and try new products, only because mass-produced is toxic. A common sense decision! The only reason that I sometimes cave-in and buy cheaper is because I chose to be lazy in the moment and didn’t make the effort to find a healthy product.(Which, I usually regret!) I try to buy soaps and lotions and lip balms, etc. from a local farmers market, so I have to stock up before the season is over to last until spring. Thanks for all the wonderful information and love, love, love your sense of humor! Great to laugh out loud, sunshine on a cloudy day~
What I love about buying handmade is that it connects you to the stories of the items and objects that you invite into your life. Somebody has contemplated what you have bought, carefully chosen its ingredients, made mistakes and triumphs, and, above all, put something of themselves into it. It’s so easy to become disconnected from the world you live in, from the other people who inhabit it and share it, and we make this worse by surrounding ourselves nameless identical things off the assembly line. But when you think about what you buy, who made it and what for, we can jostle ourselves out of that old habit of numbness and become a little more awake, to ourselves and others. Any little thing can do this, but I love that buying home-made replaces that numbing similarity with something individual, something that is perfect precisely because of the ways in which it is unique and personal.
Long-time reader, shy commenter. But something about this question rocks! Also, if you love natural perfumes, I recommend Ayala Moriel. She’s from up here in Canada, and her perfumes are a *bit* on the pricey side, but they’re so lovely. Each one tells a story. (I’m wearing her Palas Atena right now!)
I want the love, Crunchy Betty!!! Not that i haven’t already received it 10x over in your wonderful blog – my skin, my hair, my overall being thanks you every day!
Hugs to you!
Michele
I want the love!!
[email protected]
I want love! This is great. I’m so glad I found your blog… Even if I don’t get the basket.
Also I love handmade and tend to buy it when I go to Farmer’s Market. The only things that keeps me from doing so more often are prices and thinking ahead so I don’t need something from the really big convenience stores some call grocerie stores.
I LOVE hand/homemade peoducts!! I have a large,close family and we decided this past year to make as much of our Christmas presents as possible. It was great! We all knew how to make something and it was so much more meaningful that someone took the time and effort to make something for me!! We concentrated on loving thoughts of our family members and not so much on the 5 am sales at local stores!!
[email protected]
I want the love!! <3
These are gorgeous products, thank you for introducing them to us all!! Love your blog.
I want the love!
I want the love!!! Those all look so lovely!
I think the only thing that ever holds me back from buying artisinal products like this is the cheapo in me thinking I can make it myself. So I usually try and if/when I fail miserably I go buy it. Or if I just don’t have the time to DIY it.
I used to buy the mass produced stuff but since I went crunchy I won’t do it. I would rather go without (if I couldn’t afford the handmade stuff) than buy the commercially made crap. I am particularly fond of handmade soaps- that is a project I’m not ready to tackle myself and there are so many folks who are incredibly good at it, so why not support them, right?
Anyway, thanks for the awesomesauce giveaway and for highlighting some of your favorite sellers!
PS- my e-mail is cortneyrae at hotmail dot com
I want the love! Crunchy Betty is always, always inspiring me!
I want the love! The basket of goodies looks awesome!
Seems I’ve been on a pendulm sometimes swinging towards all natural sometimes swinging more towards commercialism…I’m happy to say I’m back towards visiting farmer’s markets and restricting what comes into my home, but realistically it is a challenge. Any help I can get is appreicated and this website has TONS of great ideas!
Just made dryer balls and really like them! I’ve also been trying the different cleaning concoctions, I do like the smell of vinegar as a cleanser.
Thanks for this blog & keep up the great posts.
Fantastic! Me, please–I want the love. Velma
englund at englundlit dot com
I want the love!
I would like some love!!
Good Morning, my lovely Crunchy Betty!!
Letting you know…I WANT THE LOVE! And I DO love the wonderfully rich and aesthetic
handmade products.
Thanks for sharing the wisdom…
;- ) Barbara Anne Dunn
I want the love!!!! I love love love love love crunchy betty!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I’d like the love. I have been getting down to earth and back to basics for a while and I truly needed the change. I’m happier, healthier and have been enjoying learning to simplify. I make what I can. I buy handmade when I can’t and its true, you can feel the difference when its made by someone who loves to do it. I love your site and reading from all my fellow Crunchy Betty”s have to say. I’ve learned so much.
[email protected]
I’d like the love.
I do prefer handmand over mass produced items. If I don’t know the person super well though, I’m leery of spending money on something that can’t be easily returned. There is a local boutique that gets all kinds of things from frames and lotions to coats and handbags. Many of them are local and handmade. When buying homemade, I tend to get things from there so they can exchange them if they don’t use the specific product or don’t like the scent.
I want the love too!
Show me the LOVE!!!!
I will ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS choose to buy natural, hand-made, loved items over machine-produced items whenever I possibly can! I leapt (stumbled) unto your website when Shane Ellison put a link to your Xylitol article. I signed up right away for your feed and every time I log on, I spend a few minutes (hours) dancing through the pages and posts and comments. I have committed to no more laboratory-inspired chemicals in our lives, and have been going crazy (maybe actually sane for once) in the kitchen with all kinds of potions and concoctions. I jumped on the no ‘poo freight train and have even started adding things to the baking soda/water recipe (exchange the water for coconut milk or the whey leftover from making cheese; add 1 tsp of honey, add a few drops of neem oil, add a few drops of whatever essential oil floats my boat at the moment, etc). I have made up my own concoction for skin moisturizing that I call “coconut fluff” and my friends beg me to make it for them. Your website opened up a whole new world to me that I am happy to call home.
Living this new lifestyle is very rewarding, but also can be time consuming. I work a full-time job and have a one hour commute, plus lots of volunteer things I do. However, I will NEVER go back to poisoning myself for the sake of convenience. Cue the orchestra with melodic, building, dramatic notes…here comes the Farmer’s Market and Heartsy to save the day with an organic cotton cape juggling wool dryer balls! If I can’t make it myself because of lack of time or skill, I can find someone who can and who cares about our bodies as much as I do. I get disgusted when I walk through the store and look at all the horrible things people openly embrace and slather on their bodies because they forgot how to love the body that God blessed them with. Someone’s homemade and heartfelt product on my body is the next best thing to making it myself. I also feel that, in some way, I am encouraging the maker to continue to stay the course by buying their product. In our secret sisterhood of natural, we can give to each other – I get a beautiful product that makes me happy and they get the reassurance that their time and love was not a waste and is greatly appreciated. Sounds like a win-win to me.
Having given up toxic perfumes, I have been walking around with my natural odor of awesomeness and while that makes for easy preparations in the morning, I cannot let go of my love of my favorite scents in glass bottles on my vanity. The Arabesque Aromas were my go-to in that list of lovelies.
Now, onto cheap versus neat: If I didn’t have handmade, I’ld get clothed, cleaned, or inspired by much. As a child of generational poverty, I still look at trash heaps on “large trash Wednesdays” to see if there is something I can salvage, repurpose, or reuse. Homemade items have always been sourced from me — why buy someone else’s when they’re probably going to cover it in tacky “chic” interpretations of the same Claire’s boutique. Then Etsy happened, and I realized there was talent outside of my little fingers in a small Southeast Texas Town.
Homemade is a piece of your soul, lovingly worked into a product for others to enjoy. While I am slowly climbing the economic ladder (yay for recessions, u guize!), I still give that bit of soul in every creation that slips through my fingers. Purchasing homemade products allows me to to invite another’s Love into my life, their essence of Joy and Life.
The only determining factor? Cost. Homemade SHOULD be priced as the quality befits the product, however when looking to hit on all the aspects of personal growth, any budget wears thin. Do I regularly purchase homemade? Not as much as I would like, however all things have a time and place. In time I will afford more, but until then I will continually be inspired by the creations by our DIY’ers across the intarwebs.
MichKcampbell [at] gmail [dot] com
I would love the love!!
After spending many toiling and agonizing years of trying to “figure it all out” … I’ve come to the conclusion that life is all about feeling good. Plain and simple.
When I act in ways that light me up and when I move towards the direction of that which makes me feel incredible, things always, always, ALWAYS work out the way they should. Not the way I think they should, or the way the world around me insists they should, but the way that is perfectly suited and tailored to me. (which ultimately I find to be the spot of greatest contribution to the planet)
There is something about using handmade products that just feels damn good to me. I think that maybe it’s an energy of love thing. This is an energy you can feel everyday in your interactions with people. You can feel if someone is hanging out in a negative or positive space, you can feel if a room is filled with anger or love.
I really believe that everything in our existence carries along with it the energy it’s been marinating in. This is one of the main reasons I have chosen to live a Vegan lifestyle.
Making handmade wares (as you say) is a labor of love. Each individual product has been slathered, doused, and bathed in love. When I buy them and use them it’s like the adoration of their creation gets transfered to me, and I just can’t help but feel incredible.
I want the love!
I WANT THE LOVE!!! I pray that I am favored to win this basket of love…part of my healing process thru my disabilities is to use natural/healthful/handmade or purchased products for myself and home…thanx for the giveaway opportunity and for this wonderful blog…blessings!
I want the love! I have been reading your blog for about two months now, and I love it! You have inspired me to start the process of getting rid of all the chemically junk in my house and life. I have been no ‘poo and using ocm for about 6 weeks now and I do love it…figuring out what works best for me as I go. Thanks for your fine work!
I WANT THE LOVE!
And I prefer to buy handmade, but my budget just doesn’t always allow for it. One thing I always do buy handmade though is body butter. I’ve been buying handmade body butter from Cheryl at Toadstool Soaps for over a decade now, that’s how much I love her stuff! Here is a link to her store:
http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/studio/toadstoolhairandbody
I would love the love! I’m fairly new to Crunchy Betty, but am thoroughly immersing myself in the crunchiness. I am currently using honey wash and OCM due to your site.
This basket looks FABULOUS! I want the love – would LOVE to win!
I love hand made beauty products because its better than store bought without the price and the unnatural elements that come with it. I would love to win the basket of love! I also like supporting small handmade businesses. Thanks, Molly
I definitely prefer buying handmade. Sure, *sometimes* it’s more expensive, at least in actual dollars…but the expense to the environment is nowhere near as tough.
I want something with a story. I’ve always liked things that have a history…furniture, jewelry, clothes, body products…anything! I want to know that my item was created with love or loved by someone and passed down in love. I want to know that it will continue to have a story after me, as well. All of the most special items I own are either handmade or vintage (a dresser of my great-grandmother’s made by my great-great-grandfather, quilts from my grandmother, etc.).
I don’t know that I have a specific favorite store. I usually have lots of success finding what I want from sellers on Etsy, or in lovely little shops when visiting my future in-laws in Asheville, NC.
I’m so glad you did a post about this! It gave me a little outlet to share!
I also want some love! I’m newer to your site, and am absolutely thrilled to have found it! I definitely prefer homemade over mass produced! [email protected]
The virgin and the gyspy perfume sounds like it would be a wonderful “fall/winter” scent.
Count me in for the drawing!
I do prefer handmade, the quality is better and I like the idea of a personal connection. Supporting a person instead of a company. Jewelry and pottery are my two main areas of handmade buying. I buy almost all of my pottery (mugs, bowls, etc) from Victoria Crowell (http://www.victoriacrowell.com/) and shop on Etsy for jewelry.
Unfortunately it’s also more expensive so I can’t always buy handmade in all the areas I want to. I’d rather buy handmade furniture, but the price tag is out of my range.
Thanks for creating this giveaway =)
I WANT THE LOVE!
Handmade vs. Commercially Produced. Whether it’s making clothing, housewares, upcycling, composting, gardening, local food, etc … all of it is an indication that people are effing frustrated with the lack of transparency in today’s corporate structure, and we’re tired of being poisoned for the lack of oversight and responsibility.
I find in most cases it has been easy to jump ship from the norm, but skincare has been my holdout. I had been, until my pregnancy, using a “natural” product for my skin, but post pregnancy nothing but burt’s bees has seemed to work. I have now been intrigued & feel confident enough to try some of it alone, too (homemade deodorant!). I think the most daunting part is the initial upfront costs (essential/carrier oils especially), so buying from artisans like the ones you featured today makes it easy to deflect those costs while sorting out what I like, what works for me, etc. In that process, loyalties are definitely forged!
Big <3 to the shops you are spotlighting, and the work they are so diligently doing. *^_^*
I want the Love! : ) I absolutely love your blog. This last Christmas our family had a hand made gift exchange. I “helped” my husband make his gift for my sister-in-law and pulled off a great gift for my mother-in-law, all thanks to ideas I found on your blog. Thank-You!
I want the love! It sounds so wonderful!
I want the love! I just recently started reading your blog a few days ago and am still working my way through your archives. I’ve never considered myself crunchy (unless it was accidentally crunchy) though my beloved aunt and cousin most definitely are…the more I read your blog the more I consider becoming a crunchy convert. Even if it was completely by accident. Lovin’ the heartfelt info and experimentation you’re passing on. Keep it comin’. Thanks again a potential (though getting closer with each post) accidental Denver crunchy convert.
I would love the love!
Buying handmade has been *monumental* in turning my lifestyle as natural as possible. The only problem with switching to buying handmade: it jars you when you go to buy something retail/large corporation. I’ve noticed that people who create handmade items have a great deal of love, time, and consideration that they put into their products. The existence of customer service reveals itself to you when you buy handmade or small shop; they know their products, and they love helping *you* get to know their products.
The best thing about handmade: a lot of times, you get to thank the artist personally. There’s depth and meaning and connection behind things that are handmade…and I so prefer it now.
I want the love! I need it. My bath time is a great escape once or twice a week. This is the time when I really get to pamper myself.
Regarding handmade over mass produced, I definitely prefer handmade for the pure luxurious ingredients, they make me feel so good. However, being of modest means and currently unemployed, I typically purchase quality (as much as possible) mass produced products for every day and save my special handmade products for self pampering 6-8 times a month. This makes the end of my day very special.
I, too, want the love. It’s been a stressful year so far…please!!!!
Oh PRETTY PLEASE WITH ORGANIC UNREFINED SUGAR ON TOP pick me! I SO need to feel the CRUNCHY LOVE! I LOVE handmade items and (thanks to you!) have been diligently working on my own….and reworking….and tweaking….and…well, you get the picture! With 4 kids at home and 1 at college, needless to say I can’t always afford to buy other people’s ‘perfected’ products 😉 but boy would I LOVE to! Like deodorant…seriously….why is mine baby-poop green? I mean, why would dry gray-looking clay turn green when mixed with oils? That’s just weird….but I digress….Love this blog and I am seriously addicted! Viva La Crunchy!
[email protected]
I would LOVE some LOVE :] Your emails always pick up my day, and if I’m feeling out of it, you never fail to make me smile :] THANK YOU!
I want the love!
I want some “love” as well! I must say I really look forward to your emails. I am always looking for natural easy ways/things to try around here. I’m a certified herbologist so I try to stick with what I know and love, and you always seem to be right on the money with new ideas, thank you!!!! [email protected]
I will ALWAYS buy handmade over mass produced. Well, almost always. Reputation can be as important as quality. You may make an outstanding product, but if you haven’t learned the art/skill of customer service and communication, either hire someone to do it for you, or find a different line of work. Being a self taught jewelry artist, I know the value of a product that is made with passion and integrity. I am proud of what I do, and it shows with repeat customers and many, many referrals.
People would ask me as the recession continued if it was hurting my sales and orders – the answer was always no. In fact, I think the recession may have helped! I firmly believe that as people lost their disposable income, that quality, durability AND location became very important.More and more, I believe that people will purchase local handmade items over mass produced, and I hope and pray the trend continues! As my business has become more successful, I have begun to purchase products from other artists that I could have made myself. Why? Because I can! And it helps them, which in turn helps some one else! I love it! I would be remiss if I didn’t include a link to my website and jewelry! It is http://www.allthingsangie.com/ and http://www.facebook.com/weirdlywiredjewelryAll of my Crunchy Love!Angie S
I want the love!! I prefer handmade, but I prefer to try and make them myself so I don’t have a ‘fav seller’. I prefer to experiment so that I’m able to add my own ‘spin’ / ‘personalize’ on things.
I want the love!!!
[email protected]
I want the love. My husband is a potter, so we are deep into handmade. Love the originality and the quality. I think the fact that handmade is not a huge money maker (in many cases) tends to slam the door on greed and leave lots of room for honesty and integrity.
I definitely want the love!!
You know I need some love!
I’d LOVE to win the LOVE!!
I’d especially love the GC. LOL
Buying homemade gives me
more of a unique gift, as well as helping out a small business which is
something I prefer to do, over giving money to a big corporation who doesn’t
care about their customers. I know most artisans are going to care about
whether I’m happy with my purchase or not…but most large corporations don’t truly
care. Yes you can have trouble with
homemade items…but in my experience, not as often as mass produced!
If I’m in the market for something special I will go looking on Etsy to see what I can find there first, before trying to find something in the store. Course I also tend to try and make my own handmade things for gifts…but sometimes I just want something else that I can’t make. My favorite shop on Etsy probably won’t count…cause it’s my Dads, (Wood Mosaics) *giggle* the rest I have bookmarked I haven’t actually purchased from, what they were selling just caught my eye. As for soaps and the like, I’ve basically just been making my own…but am not good with perfumes, so may have to look into Arabesque Aromas cause I’d love to have a perfume for special times at least.
So in my opinion…giving “homemade” says you care about the person enough to search out a unique gift or make (if you are making it yourself) a special gift instead of running out to the store and grabbing the first thing you find that was mass produced. Course sometimes you have to do that, and thats fine..but I still tend to treasure the homemade ones more. :-))
I would love, love, love to be included in the love!
For me, I have always been drawn to simplicity and survival and nature, so using handmade or homemade products is a natural extension of that. I have a special joy that only comes when I attempt to make something new or fix something that I don’t know how to and succeed. That’s how humans lived in earlier times, off the land and using nature for remedies to everything–not that I don’t appreciate a lot of modern medicine–our average lifespan as increased, and I appreciate that. But I also am afraid that we are losing some of our innate wisdom and reliance on what God has already provided by relying on modern susbstitutes. And I can’t begin to go into how much I revolt against processed foods!
i want the <3
[email protected]
Handmade vs mass produced? No contest. Handmade is best. Handmade says you care. You care to use only the best ingredients and you don’t have to lie about what’s in your products. You know it is safe, for people, animals, the environment. I try to make some things myself and buy things I don’t make. Buying handmade also supports small business. Another BIG plus.
YAYAYAYAYAYAYAYA! I want the love too! <3
I LOVE using/wearing handmade products. Soaps, jewelry, clothing! YAY!
The thing that holds me back from purchasing them as often is generally the price. I am becoming a more frugal wifey and sometimes they just aren't in the budget. But when I DO get them it's like Christmas 😀
Thanks so much for your blog. I love getting the emails.
God Bless.
~Em
[email protected]
I want the love! Love your blog!
Wowzers! What a GREAT giveaway!! Thank you for offering it ♥ I, personally, am just embarking on this crunchy journey. I absolutely love to make my own things (it makes me feel so POWERFUL!! lol) I have yet to make my own soap (haven’t got my nerve up) and I buy it. I have learned in my short crunchy time, that even though it says it is handmade, you still need to be careful and look at ingredients. I got some goat’s milk lotion once that listed parabens in the ingredients on the bottle, but not on the website. I felt betrayed. Handmade soap is the only thing I am buying at this time. Everything else I make. I absolutely ♥ Eden Goat’s Milk Soap!
I want the love!
I’ve actually been labeled a hippie as of late. Since I started reading your site I’ve gone ‘no poo’, ordered everything from beeswax and shea butter to essential oils and clays, and I’m getting ready to make my own deodorant. On top of that I’ve been trying to convince everyone I know to do the same and to stop rubbing chemical laced products all over their bodies! My husband has already commented that my skin and face look amazingly clear and smooth (though I think he is biased!) and I feel so empowered by being more self sufficient and creative. I’ve decided after our lease is up I NEED a place where I can garden and perhaps have a chicken or two. I’m committed to making Natural look beautiful. Maybe I’ll help change the stereotype that hippies are dirty, hairy and only wear tie-dye. : )
Also, I have no problem buying handmade products as long as I know there isn’t anything ‘funky’ in it. There is a great pomegranate farm near where I live and they make all sorts of ‘homemade’ products. I especially like their oatmeal pomegranate soap! It smells so great and exfoliates at the same time!
All of these look and sound wonderful! I’d love to win!
Oh, yes!!! I want the love!!
I would LOVE some love! I am new to handmade products and your site has been so inspiring and good at getting me past my “what if I do it wrong and my skin turns into aligator skin?” fears! Not only am I trying to reduce the amount of chemicals I put on my body and in the Earth, I am also trying to reduce the amount of packaging I waste and the fuel I use to go out and buy products. Therefore, I haven’t really purchased a whole lot of handmade beauty products. I really prefer to make them! Thanks for all your help! My favorite handmade product right now is a sugar body scrub with lavender essential oil and coffee grounds. Perfect for waking up in the morning! Thanks!
I want the love! 🙂
[email protected]
Dear Crunchy Betty,
To me there is no comparison to handmade natural ingredients
and the mass produced stuff the majority of the world buys. While it is inexpensive and convenient, it
is lacking in quality and personal touch.
It never ceases to amaze me how people react to something hand
made. They always take it so
personally! I love it. It is a beautiful thing. It makes them happy and feel comforted and it
makes me happy to think I’ve helped someone
feel good for at least that
moment. When it’s something they can
take home with them and use later, I can’t help but think that ‘good feeling’
is rekindled within them again. That is
my hope anyway.
On another note, I just discovered your website a few weeks
ago and it has completely changed my life.
I used to dabble in home made beauty products but didn’t know how or
what to really invest in. You have
helped me considerably and I’ve been experimenting and coming up with my own
recipes (based on yours) and sharing them as ‘free samples’ with others. Everyone is loving it! Thank you so much for all your inspiration
and for sharing your recipes with everyone!
It’s been very nice to ‘meet’ you!
Laurie J
Homemade/Handmade items are definitely what I prefer. I buy them as often as possible over the mass produced items from the grocery, sometimes the pricing can be a tad hard to swallow, but I love how much cleaner they look/smell/feel, etc. I have recently become a Crunchy Betty Addict. Keep it up!
I would love love love love that basket of goodies!!!!!
As for buying handmade vs commercial – I love to go handmade whenever I can. Not only are the products generally better for you (you know what’s in them) and you’re supporting small business (sometimes local), but I always get that warm fuzzy feeling when I open/use those products; you don’t get that from mass-produced junk. I especially love it when the item comes with a little handwritten note or description or something. It just makes you feel so much more connected – to the person who made the item, to the process of making and buying products, and just to the community and world in general. <3
I SO want the LOVE!
As much as I love to buy unique and handmade vs. mass produced stuff. I find that my budget doesn’t always allow for it. It’s kind of been amazing to me that it is so much “economical” to buy products loaded with preservatives & chemicals and probably imported from some far away land than it is to buy all natural, homemade / handmade local goodies. I believe we’ve all had this discussion before…
Maybe that is how one is to start priorizing what they spend money on…Do without and make it yourself and eventually you will have saved enough to afford the splurge. If money wasn’t an issue…handmade goodies is all I would buy!
I suppose I’d want the basket because of the variety, and the fact it is already picked out. A certificate means I’d have to make up my mind at some point ;} and that is difficult with such cool stuff.
If I can afford handmade, I choose it every time. I prefer to be able to pay the artisan a worthy price for their labor. I must confess that generally I can’t afford it & make it myself.
Scrumptious!! Everything you do girl!!
So. Homemade, handmade. Yes, I am always willing to buy from a sweet face that I see, I think it’s important. But, in my hurry, hurry life, I don’t always practice what I like to preach! Here lately though, I almost feel taken advantage of. I feel like I’m being charged even more for handmade (sometimes.). I think it’s a novelty…like it’s the “thing” to do, you know? But I do know that most of my handmade items are made from love, love, love…and that swirls around, even from the paper money I hand them…….Babbling!! Most go. But would love to win all this yummy stuff!! I need it, I deserve it…….hell, we ALL deserve it, yes??!!! xoxo Kelly
Show me the love, please, CB!
The reason I purchase homemade/go through the hassle of cooking my own cosmetics, is that I don’t wish to put chemicals into my body that could destroy any of my cells. I need them, thanks, giant industries, who only care to make billions of dollars instead of protecting customers and the planet. It’s an outrage, how there’s no accountability these days 🙁
Oh how I love your blog! I recently found you and enjoy reading! I would LOVE to win! You made that perfume sound soooooo wonderful and it would be a luxury for me!
Thanks for all you do!
[email protected]
PS – homemade is ALWAYS BETTER!
I definitely prefer homemade gifts over cheap, mass produced products. Homemade gifts tend to be higher quality & more unique! My sister-in-law knits & I love all of the things that she makes & gives as gifts.
I want the love! I am a full time student and homeschooling mom, so working with one income doesn’t provide much for “specialty” purchases like these….I would definitely take advantage of the pampering! 🙂
I would love the love in any form. Ever since a friend told me about your site, I hae been a devoted reader and sharer. Am checking all kinds of things off my bucket (knitting, pressure canning, etc.) list now that I have the time to stay home and make my own things. I have been buying clothing and more almost exclusively at thrift/resale shops for more than 40 years and go to farmer markets and craft events in season for food, gifts, plants…For me, homemade quality and passion are always better than a “Made in” label for countries other than USA. You are a national treasure. Love back atcha.
Not only do I want the love, I NEED some love!! Thanks for all you do!
I’m always looking for the small business handmade products over mass production. It’s hard since I live in a small “county” area. Being a one person business, I appreciate the hand work and personal touch of small business. I’m always looking for feel good body products for my business. I’ve been a licensed nail tech for 25 yrs and LOVE bringing my clients products they can’t find in the big box stores. I’m way to honest to my loyal clients to sell them something just for the sake of making a dollar!
Love it!
I could really use some LOVE! I give it and I need it back…please.
LOVE. I love your blog and your passion for this. I have been into handmade stuff for the last year or so. Not only did I discover that I don’t really like the mall very much but I like homemade body care stuff much, much better. I just made a (very simple) body scrub and use almond oil as a makeup remover. I was also seduced by your post about the oil cleansing method (and encouraged by another commenter to stop being afraid and to try it already). I just ordered accessories for my upcoming wedding from a woman on etsy and I was able to customize it to exactly what I wanted for a reasonable price…it was awesome to be able to have a conversation with her to figure out how it was going to look. I think the connection I feel with the people who make things (which includes the farmer whose CSA I have a share in) that I use it one of the best things about small companies and homemade goods. Thank you for sharing!!
I’m wanting this crunchy love!
I want the love!
I want the love! ♥
These products sound AMAZING!
Love you Crunchy Betty, your site is one of my favorites 🙂
Oh yes. Who wouldn’t like some love.
As far as the handmade – yes, I do prefer them. I like knowing what goes into whatever I’m putting on my body, I like to support the people who make the goods. But I also have a budget, so it’s a pull both ways. I made handmade soap and candles for years and loved it. There’s a certain feeling that goes along with making something from scratch, formulating your recipe, knowing what goes into your product – and turning out a superior one to boot! So I guess I’m of many spokes in the wheel. I support other “makers” and I make myself, but I also buy from the store. I’m a confusing consumer. 🙂
Love? I want love! Particularly love I’m not… ah experienced to make myself!
I’m slowing switching over to things I make myself/are crunchy (laundry detergent, henna hair color, CB honey washing, scrubs and body wash) because I’m wanting to cut down on the crap in my house, both with toxins and things. Handcrafted items let me feel better about what goes in and on my body (who even knew chapsticks weren’t gluten free? WTF is gluten doing in nail polish?) and make me look and feel better because I’m making conscious and thought out decisions along with using products that are quality. I do try to buy more natural/handcrafted product but like just about everyone else, funds can be an issue. I’d like to eventually move to buying handcrafted clothing (my wedding dress has been the only one so far) but my main focus is reducing toxins that go on my skin and ones I eat.
One of my favorite products comes from Keeki (http://www.keekipureandsimple.com/). They have a lovely vanilla mint lip balm that made me want to eat it… I haven’t gotten to lip balm making myself so its nice to have one I adore.
I want the love!! And would love to share it with my clients..as a licensed nail tech of 25 yrs I’m always looking for new natural products products made by everyday folks!
Even if I don’t win thanks for the link!
[email protected]
OOOO, I can feel the love all around me but now, I WANT all the love! I love buying handmade things, I am a big internet shopper and I love finding little treasures from out of ‘way’ small internet shops! I come from a more is better way of life and I’m just realizing that it’s so not true, a wee bit goes a long way! Before I would buy “mass-produced” essential oils just to wear and would never spend money on a itty bitty bottle of “oil”! They had to be out of their minds! But now? I take pleasure in using a little and delight in amazement at how long my little bottles last. I LOVE your websites and your books and your recipes and your words of wit and your… well yeah, you get it! Thanks for the chance to win and more importantly, thanks for hipping me to 3 new websites!
Teri
teri64 (at) myself (dot) com
ooooh pick me pick me!!!!! 🙂 I love to make my own products but rarely have as much time as I’d like so the next best thing for me is to buy from people who are passionate about handmade products using sustainable and good for you ingredients. My favorite soap is made from goats milk and I usually get it from Goatboy soaps (not sure if you wanted us to link, if so here it is http://www.goatboy.us/catalog/ with the disclaimer that I am in no way affiliated or compensated, etc etc). I’ve never ordered from them online because I always stock up at local fairs in the fall when I’m visiting CT. They have really beautiful aromas and my skin is so grateful when I use them. I have given them as gifts – but I usually hog them all to myself because I hate to part with them! Sometimes I think it’s better to buy when a company (no matter how small) has perfected their craft and you know you are getting an excellent, consistent product – because sadly my own experiments even when following recipes just don’t seem to come out as good!
I want the love!
I am relatively new to Crunchy Betty (and crunchiness in general) and have never posted before, but I love this blog and use for inspiration. As a graduate student I don’t have time to make a lot of my own products yet, but this site has inspired me to go organic and natural. This blogh has inspired me to use honey to wash my face, and OCM twice a week, use hot oil in my hair, and use organic deodorant and toothpaste. It’s small, I know, but my skin and hair love me. Better still, I feel really good about the choices I’m starting to make. Every week I get a little crunchier!
I always try to buy from local businesses. That way I know what I’m getting. Real, natural products that I feel good about using and eating. I feel it’s important to support businesses in my community and reduce my carbon footprint.
Oooh!! All sounds lovely! I would love the love! 🙂 [So much love just happened in that comment…]
I want the LOVE!
I love buying handmade products and prefer them over (sometimes) cheaper commercial items. I do not like paying shipping though. I understand it is necessary for a small retailer to recoup the cost but I’d rather wing it until I see the retailer again at a market. One of my fav products right now is the vanilla lip balm from http://belleterrenc.com/home/products/lip-balm/. It tastes great.
beth[dot]espitia[at]gmail[dot]com
Lots of lovely products that I would enjoy trying! I want the love!!
I REALLY want the love!
I definitely would like all the love, please 😉 🙂
Thanks for hosting this giveaway…really,r eally cool. I prefer handmade things over mass-produced items, because they’ve got more character and they’re better made. They’re not necessarily cheaper, but I don’t care about that, so much as I care about who’s getting the money and when I something homemade, I know it’s supporting some person out there who’s trying to make a living by pursuing there p assion…phew…lots of words here. Oh, and I LIKE making things myself, too…so there’s that 🙂 🙂 🙂 Thanks for hosting the cool giveaway 🙂
Love and hugs from the ocean shores of California, Heather 🙂
Ooooohhhh yes…I want the love! Those items all sound so very romantic and wonderful! {fingers crossed}
Oh, some love would be lovely. 🙂
I want the love! It looks fabulous 🙂
I want the LOVE!!!!
I want ALL the Love!
Oh, I want the love too (=
Thanks for this giveaway!
I want the handmade love!! 🙂
I.Want.The.Love!
I have to support the handmade, my mother has a wedding/interior design/jewelry business, making hair pieces and other things. Etsy is where she get’s most of her revenue year round, then twice a year she has a boutique in my parents house. She also welcomes other folks to sell at her boutique, giving a chance to other small homemade crafters a chance at getting out there.
As regards my food products, I am desperately trying to get into CSA this year, I live in OK, I’m a So Cal girl though, coming here was a big adjustment food wise. But I just found a farm less than an hour away where I can get my grass fed and raw food, yippee!!!
One last thing, I have now bee “poo” free and on the OCM method for almost a month, Love them both. I also made your toothpaste, and I actually like it, and the hubby (big surprise there). I’m about to do the deodorant, I’m just waiting to run out of the old one. Love your site and articles, thank you so much for all your ideas!
I would like to win the basket!
I SO want the love!
I’m relatively new to the “crunchy” realm, and I have been dipping my toes in the water slowly. I started with the Honey Challenge for my face and fell in love. So, I’ve been experimenting with making and buying handmade products to find what works for me.
I far prefer knowing where things come from to buying mass produced items (whether it’s beauty products or the food I put in my body!)
I hope I win!
Love your website and all the information you share. I too am passionate about all things hand and homemade. I make all my own soaps, salves, creams, lotions, sprays, etc. and wouldn’t have it any other way.
Thanks for all you do to share your knowledge and herbal and natural wisdom.
I definitely want the love!
I’ve just started following your blog, read your book, and now making some homemade goodies myself. I think what you do is truly amazing. You’re such an inspiration being so passionate about this stuff. I try to be as organic and natural as possible, but this has opened my eyes to an entirely different world of that. So thank you! 🙂
I want the love! <3
I want the LOVE!!
Love your site and blogs. Keep it going.
[email protected]
As much as I love buying from local producers (which is easier in my sunny San Francisco Bay Area than in some other places), I have to admit that I can’t always find what I’m looking for.
I’m not an Internet shopper at all, and though some things on etsy look amazing, I just can’t get myself to click the mouse on a product I haven’t seen, felt, or tested.
My solution to this is to make as much as I can. Then I vacation in a town that’s crunchier than mine, and stock up for the gaps in my cupboards. 🙂
I try to buy locally made, but sometimes the best I can do I buy mass-produced-but-better-than-conventional from a locally owned business.
Allison
Please sign me up for both the basket and the gift certificate! It turns out I’m not that good at turning essential oils into perfume….
I want the love!
I’ve really tried to shift to making my own beauty and food products, or going local over the past couple of years. I’ve switched to henna for hair dye (and it is oh so fabulous), olive oil for my nightly cleanser, and your site has given me many great ways to pamper myself with things in my pantry. I love the months when my farmer’s market is open, as it gives me a chance to browse locally made soaps and fantastic local, raw honey. For me, the benefits are twofold: I’m supporting local businesses, and I’m building ties with members of my community. Buying honey from a beekeeper lets me establish a relationship with him that I don’t get buying off the shelf. Talking to a cheesemaker about how much he loves his business gives me a sense that I’m buying something made with care and attention to detail. It’s very gratifying to support people who are doing something they’re passionate about.
I want the love! Who wouldn’t?
And yes, I love homemade possessions, because they’re more than just ‘stuff.’ Mass-produced is just cheaper, in more ways than monetary price, although that price certainly contributes to the lack of value—you want to and can buy more because it’s cheaper and because it doesn’t mean anything. With handmade anything, you stop and think before you buy—about the price, about how the maker put so much work into it that you should really need it before you buy it, and about how you could make it yourself! They come with a certain amount of meaning to them, and the extra care you automatically take with them only attaches more.
I want the love too!!
Count me IN.
I so want the love!
I want the LOVE!!!!
I love to buy handmade products. I know where it’s coming from and the love and labor that was put into it. I found this amazing soap maker locally (can’t think of the name right now, I’ll check when I get home) who makes “Critter” soap. It’s soap for the dog (or cat or whatever pet you have). Smells so good, and gets my Dexter clean and shiny!
I try and support my local home grown stores over the big box places, however, on a budget, some things I just can’t afford to buy handmade all the time, so I reserve them for special occasions and gifts.
email: sctgirl [at] gmail [dot] com
I want the Love!!!!!
First, I want to let you know I love your blog and I’ve learned so much from you. I’ve recently made coconut milk using your recipe and today will be trying out your ‘sorta poo’ recipe. I use the OCM and love it as well! I love to buy handmade because its often more than not made with loving hands. Taking the time to create instead of manufactured in a warehouse somewhere, but I must admit I don’t get the chance to very often. I however enjoy my own handmade creations over store bought mass produced now. If I can make it then I don’t want to buy it lol. Oh and btw I’ve been ‘no poo’ for over a month now and have recently added castile soap as an addition to cleanse my hair. I kinda go back and forth with the BS and the Castile soap ( I can not wait to try the coconut milk in it ) and my hair has never looked better or been more healthier! I will not go back to commercial shampoos again. I have very long hair and I had gotten used to my hair falling out at a rapid rate, clogging my drains and now I have minimal hair loss!
Ok I got off topic lol but I love your blog and I’m purchasing your book on amazon and just wanted to let you know this is an awesome giveaway!
shhaunna(at)live(dot)com
I love handmade products. I’ve been trying to switch to handmade and natural over commercial products. I’ve been enjoying your blog. Thank you for sharing so many good things. 🙂
I so want the love.
Now to the question: I prefer buying handmade over mass-produced and I do not mind paying more because I get better ingredients, which is usually what I am after, and a more unique product. I have a hard time buying them on the internet however, because without word of mouth, reader’s comments to tell you about the scents or pros and cons, you can pay a lot of money for something you don’t like or can’t really use. I don’t have enough money to do that.
So having your recommendations is actually quite nice. And I would recommend that people who are selling products like these to encourage ratings and review comments of their products on their websites, so that folks like me can get a real feel for what the products are like – smell, consistency, etc.
Wow, this is absolutely fantastic! I love buying natural products, but it’s sometimes hard to find the right maker, someone trustworthy, etc. I also find it hard to buy online site/scent unseen, if you know what I mean. it’s great to hear other’s takes on a companies products. There are a couple of handmade soap sellers that go to my local farmer’s market, and the one makes this cinnamon thyme soap that absolutely adore! I make sure to stock up on it every summer, but it never seems to be enough to last the long winters through!
I WANT THE LOVE!!!!!! <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 Hearts all over the place, so much love do I want! 🙂
As for handmade- for years I have been going to a pumpkin festival each fall and buying up delicious, yummy, AMAZING soaps made by local people and business. I much prefer them to store bought, because of the oils, and the smells, and the love poured into each soap (Miss Selby's Soaps are another one I recently found at a wine and art show- SO MUCH AMAZINGNESS, plus she has soaps that look like cupcakes. CUPCAKES, I tell you!). Plus, they lack the nasty chemicals that aren't good for us OR the earth. And seriously, they smell and feel heavenly, which you can't get from store bought. Sometimes, however, the cost of home made is too high, and on a student budget I have to pick and choose what I can buy home made (or make home made) versus buying from a store.
I want the love!!
Beautiful baskets!
One of my hesitations about buying handmade is just lack of information about quality (or in the case of skincare/beauty products, compatibility with my skin). If I buy something from a massmarket retailer I have a pretty good idea of what I’m getting. I might have a history with the brand, and reviews are easy to find. When you buy something handmade from a small seller it can feel like a real risk. I’m frugal and opposed to waste enough that the “it’s just $20. I’ll just throw it out if I don’t like it” logic doesn’t cut it for me. I need to feel confident that what I’m purchasing is worth my money. For example, I’ve been buying bath products (body scrubs and lotions) from the same etsy retailer for over a year. I’m thinking about trying her facial care line, but I’m still hesitant to give up my tried and true department store products.
I LOVE love and I love Crunchy Betty!
Slowly, you’re teaching me (and us all) how to care for ourselves and our families again – the right way. Before I found you, I had no idea how bad the big manufacturers had become and I’m so happy you’re giving us alternatives. I have some medical issues (thyroid imbalances and kidney stones) and I’m starting to wonder, could this be from all the chemicals I ingest and absorb?
I get excited every day for the nuggets of extra crunchy goodness waiting for me.
I want the love! Love the love! My hubs and I definitely prefer handmade items over mass generated-typically because they are all natural, and we know exactly what goes in them! We live in Seattle and our favorite bar soaps come from http://www.seattlerainwatersoap.com. We either buy from small producers (online or at farmer’s markets) or make our own for all cleaning products, body care, and pet care.
I want the love!
I want the love!
The whole ‘crunchy’ concept is pretty new in my life. I’m a senior in college and lived at home/on the dorms until I got married in July. Suddenly, I was in charge of providing a clean, safe home and healthy food and I quickly became disgusted at all of the chemicals, the artificial scents and flavors, the chemicals, etc., of the products I was buying. I was excited to discover Crunchy Betty and find people who not only shared my disgust, but offered solutions to changing the way I was living. We may not have the budget to buy everything organic, but I am slowly trying to switch over to as many homemade products as possible, whether that means I make them myself (often with recipes found on this blog) or buy from someone else. Although I prefer to make them myself as often as possible, I just don’t have enough time to do it all, and I love supporting small businesses, especially when they share my values.
I want all the love!! Y’know, Betty, I am so enjoying your blog, these days. I’m in the process of switching over to homemade laundry soap, (fun to make and I love it!!) natural cleaning (been o the olive oil for a number of years, and am trying honey now) and am gonna make your grapefruit scrub next. There’s always something new to try here! You’ve been a big inspiration to me.
As to your question…I DO think its better to buy handmade products over the mass produced ones. Not only does my body feel better, my mind feels better knowing I’m taking a step in the right direction. I do run into issues in finding local handmade products. Farmers Market season is great because they’re usually highly accessible BUT after that if I haven’t stocked up I have a hard time finding it (without searching online and paying shipping-but I’m trying to avoid that anyway and buy local)
The stuff in the basket looks wonderful! I’d love, love, love to win that!
These look amazing and I’d love to try all of them. I try to buy things in as close to their natural source as possible, which generally means buying the raw ingredients and making it myself, or buying handmade from someone else doing the same thing (only usually better…). With beauty and bath products, it’s SO hard to determine exactly what’s in those mass produced, “cheaper” bottles.
Oooh this is amazing! My husband and I are working diligently to “green our routine” and this is just the step in the right direction we need 🙂
I always feel better knowing where my “stuff” comes from. Whether its soap from a friend, veggies from the farmers market, or wood teething toys from Etsy, being able to trust the producer is a big step to a happier, healthier community for me & my baby.
i would love some love!
since the start of 2012 i have turned towards washing laundry with soapnuts, washing my hair with a mixture of castille soap and coconut milk and conditioning with your lavender rosemary rinse recipe, made my own deodorant, have my own lotions, and coworkers come to me now asking for all-natural help with their dry skin and chapped lips and i’ve surged forward on the path of crunchy like i’ve always dreamed! i am doing tons of reading and research and trying out products and searching for providers like the ones this baskets is featuring, so thank you for giving them shout outs, and for all you do! you’ve literally helped in changing my life from one caked in chemicals to being an all-natural goddess =D
ps – i have also given up dryer sheets and made some of your wool dryer balls, and OH MY GOD my laundry has never felt so SOFT AND HAPPY!!!
pps (yes, now i feel silly) in regard to buying handmade…
ever since i got out of school i’ve worked in non-profits in theatre education, so money has always been SO tight that it’s been really tough to buy handmade. my big splurge is always at an event called the Chestertown Tea Party, where there is an AMAZING vendor who has her own bees and makes her own products. every year, i splurge away on lotions, lip balms and my favorite product of hers – an all-natural ‘pain away’ (like icy hot) which could slay my neck tension and tension headaches like a wizard slaying a dragon.
slowly, my financial situation is improving and with it i am integrating more handmade into my life. when i’m shopping online, i tend to gravitate towards websites that teach as much as they sell, who give information not just about the product itself but the individual ingredients and their uses (mountain rose herbs is a great example of folks who teach and share info as freely as air, i love them to bits and bits). it might be the teacher in me, but i think the only way the natural word can be spread into the mainstream is by educating like there’s no tomorrow! i think the biggest mistake a company can make is keeping secrets – sharing the process and sharing the learning personalizes the experience, helps customers learn new things, and encourages them to try more and to dig deeper into the handmade, all-natural life!
I want the love, too! Thanks so much to you and to the businesses for such a generous giveaway–and to you for such an all-around wonderful blog! You can reach me at eliseanderson at gmail dot com.
a basket of love! who would ant want that?!
I buy handmade products as much as possible, I love lip balms and handmade soaps. I swear you can feel the attention and love put into each product, especially compared to a product mass produced in a factory. I also love knowing my purchase helps support small businesses and individuals that have the same beliefs I do regarding all natural products. My go to place for products is an Etsy shop called Five Seed. Yancy, the shop owner, is lovely and I haven’t found a product that I haven’t loved! Of course, I love making my own goodies too, that’s why I love your blog!
I live in the boonies, so buying handmade typically means making it myself or ordering over the Internet. I prefer making myself (I am reading your blog, aren’t I), but will buy others when something is very affordable or I don’t have time to make it. Buying mass-produced used to be the norm around here, but once we started moving away from that we haven’t wanted to move go back!
I want the love! I want the love! I try to buy handmade products not only for their good stuff and local economy impact, but mostly because I want to support someone else’s dream. My hope is that when I get my act together and start to crochet for the mass public or set up my roadside produce stand that positive energy flow will be directed my way as well. THere is so much joy to be found in supporting other people’s passions! It encourages us to pursue our own, and THAT is what our world needs more of: passionate people willing to be the change!
Oh i want the love!!! We’re newlyweds & I’ve spent alot of time switching my hubby over to better and more crunchy products…We’d both love this!
I use handmade as much as humanly possible. I refuse to go back to black so to speak. 🙂
I want the love!
I want the love!
Lovely products! I love buying handmade whenever possible. In my experience, the likelyhood of nasty chemicals is far less. The ingredients that are in there tend to be of higher quality. Plus–can’t you just feel the love that went in pouring back out??: )
I buy handmade or make my own…but one of the problems I see with our consumer mentality is that we buy sooo much. Our highest value is to live with less. I’m not saying we don’t have a lot. I have claimed status as a wealthy woman. I certainly don’t call myself frugal…not when people work hard for $4 a week. The tension is to use my money where it will do the most good. For me and for others.
Me, me…pick me!
I’m a combination girl – just starting to dabble in making my own (with the help of your fabulous blog), but in the past, I have tried to buy as much handmade as my budget would allow. One of my favorite, local handmade products is a goat milk soap – lots of fun scents (amaretto…mmmm) and it feels good to know that my two littles are scrubbing up without harsh chemicals etc. and know exactly where the stuff comes from. It’s definitely a slow transition for me, but one I am excited about!
Love, Love! I want the love!
Of course I want the love! 🙂
I want the love! Besos to you.
In my book, buying handmade closes the loop of goodness. I already make most of the stuff that I use (thanks to generous, recipe-sharing souls like Betty). However, if I don’t have the time, resources, patience, or inclination to make something–or if I just want to treat myself to something wonderful–I buy handmade.
Calling something “handmade” is kind of like calling food “organic” or milk “raw”. Organic food is food in its natural state; raw milk is milk before we mess it up, and handmade products are, too, in their natural state: made by humans, with some heart and soul mixed in. Things are as they should be.
By buying “real” stuff from these “real” businesses, we help to perpetuate the goodness. The makers are sustained; real products are let loose upon the world. I can indulge in something that I don’t have to be afraid of, and that doesn’t ask me to compromise my values. Most of the time I know exactly who I am buying from and where the money is going. I feel good about it all the way around — and that gives me almost as much of a glow as, say, putting honey on my face.
Oh boy, do I want the love!
As for hand-made vs. mass produced- I’d go hand-made every time if I could. In fact, most of what I don’t make at home I buy from women at our Farm Market who have lovely handmade soaps and lotions. Hand-made things have much more love in them, and I trust the people I buy from. In fact, I’ve visited the farm of the woman who makes some of the soaps we buy (she sells us our eggs, too). I love supporting people in my community, and I take comfort knowing that my goats milk soap comes from happy, adorable little goats that are loved and well cared for!
Oh do I want the Love! Handmade typically will always win out over mass produced for me!
I would love some love.
I would love to by hand made…. but honestly, i just make my own. I’m nervous to buy handmade without actually smelling the scent in person or trying the product out first…. But there is just something about homemade that warms my heart. It’s wonderful having a product where you know someone made it in their kitchen and that wonderful person hand picked the container and the label. I know that sounds silly, but to me its not just about the wonderful product…its all the love that goes into the little details as well.
I want the love!!
I don’t know if I was supposed to leave a separate comment saying this but I did. I buy handmade soaps for a couple of reasons, 1 because of the ingredients, I think they’re better for us and 2, because I want to support small and/or local business. I love that people are looking at different ways to use their talents and I like to support that.
I want the love!!!!
Show me the love!!!!!
I want the love! 🙂
I buy hand-made as much as possible, or make my own. My favorite product is a hand-made goat’s milk soap, made locally by women seeking to find a way to support themselves in a halfway house for victims of domestic abuse. The soap is beautiful and lasts a long time, but the cause behind it is even more beautiful!
I want the love, but am Canuck 🙁
How-evah, I’d love to be entered into the draw for the gift certificate.
My budget is the biggest constraint against buying handmade – money budget, and time budget. I do buy second-hand as much as possible (which fits into both budgets) and I definitely hand make things at home (food, cleaning products, some clothing).
For gifts for other people, I go out of my way to support businesses that produce handmade items, local if possible. I think that this is a good way for me to share my beliefs with the recipients – “I love you, and here is a gift with a subtle philosophical message” hehe.
I want the love!
I’m trying to move toward buying more handmade (and local, if possible) everything. When I don’t, it’s less about budget than about (this is an admission that was spotlighted for me by the post yesterday) not trusting myself: about believing that something mass-produced might somehow be more…dependable? Because “experts” were involved?
Anyway, I’d like to trust myself more, and that means trusting that intention in products really does matter – something handmade by an individual with good intentions *has* to ultimately be better than something mass produced with the intention only of making money.
I prefer handmade it is often a craft (an art form) it is made with better products in a kinder gentler way, usually by someone who loves doing what they are doing. I do go out of my way to buy handmade when I can afford it and try not to feel guilty when I can’t.
I’d love to win the basket.
I’d love to win the basket or the gift certificate and I do buy handmade when I can. (I also sell handmade things, mainly beaded and/or chain maille jewelry). One of the things I like about handmade is that you know it’s made with care and not just mass-produced with loads of cost-cutting shortcuts. I don’t buy as much as I’d like (though I buy more than I should) because my budget is not as accommodating as I’d like it to be. I also like to help support those that share similar ideals & interests as me (being natural, healthy & caring, etc)
I just read a really funny post by a chef blogger about how granola bars are his cooking nemesis. The granola bar might seem a simple, humble foodstuff, but he has never succeeded in a granola bar recipe and is throwing in the towel. That’s how I feel about bar soap, or rather Bar Soap (a nemesis seems more foreboding if you capitalize it, don’t you think?). No matter what I try, I don’t get the glorious texture, invigorating scents, or wonderful feel on my skin (during or post-shower) that I find in my favorite hand-made soap not made by my hands, which I get from a friend who also happens to be a very popular vendor at our local farmers’ market. Luckily, I’m not too awful at making granola bars – it would be devastating to have a second handmade nemesis.
I would love to win the basket! I prefer to buy handmade. The only thing that keeps me from buying more handmade is being broke.
Oh my goodness it would be wonderful to win these lovely products. I love stuff like this that is natural and authentic.
Yes, I want some LOVE! I really like making my own products to use in my home, but don’t have a problem spending money on a product that is made by someone like me. OR something that is good quality. [email protected]
Love any and all of it!
As far as the question goes…I think it comes down to priorities for us–there are some things we feel we need to buy hand-made and do, and others that are in the ‘saved for later’ pile,(i.e. when we’re not super stretched with funds). I think, though, as a general rule, anything you put on or in your body should be as natural as possible since you are absorbing it! In this case, I try to make everything like cleaners, etc.Sarah M
Heck yeah I want the love! Your description of the Arabesque perfumes has me over here drooling. I’m typically a BPAL gal but those scents sound awesome! As far as cheap mass produced products over handmade – I want to buy/make more handmade and I do pretty well with it for the most part but I haven’t been able to reproduce my makeup with decent results (although your tutorials are the bomb). I have a weird complexion all oily and dry at the same time, and a light olive skin tone so it’s hard to match anyway. Now if I can just get myself to go shampoo free I’d be doing great!
I really value homemade products. When I first found Etsy a couple of years ago I was OBSESSED and loved especially finding soap, candles and recycled things and I felt like every time I bought from a person instead of a chain store or corporation I was doing something good.
Oops, I accidentally posted before I finished typing.
I really value homemade products. When I first found Etsy a couple of
years ago I was OBSESSED and loved especially finding soap, candles and
recycled things and I felt like every time I bought from a person
instead of a chain store or corporation I was doing something good. The thing is, in the last year my circumstance change and my household income went from somewhere around 100,000/yr to 14,000. It’s just not an option to spend $12-20 on a bottle of shampoo anymore. That has been the biggest reason why I should handmade less, but I have tried to make a few simple things myself. (Also I really over did buying soy candles from my favorite people, so I still have a supply to feed my addiction. lol) What can you do really? It’s expensive to be ethical sometimes and that makes me sad.
I know how you feel. A friend of mine turned me on to Etsy and I love it, but sometimes that stuff is very pricey and my circumstances dont allow me to spend that kind of money either. Fortunately, our farmers market people have reasonably priced things. It makes me sad too that sometimes this stuff can be so expensive. I even have an herbal book with all kinds of recipes to make your own herbal things and homemade stuff, but even the stuff in there has crazy expensive ingredients that are hard to find locally or crazy hard directions. One thing I love about this blog is that most of the stuff used for creation is easy to find and not stupidly priced.
Yes, the recipes here are fantastic and I think most of them are accessible! 🙂
I would love that basket of awesomeness or the gift certificate of amazing! I really love buying handmade products. There is an awesome farmers market here (Lake City, Fl, ya’ll) and even though its not really big, its filled with all kinds of amazing things. One of my fave is a woman who makes goat milk products with milk from her own goats. Her goat milk soaps are amazing! (gomisoap.com if anyone wants to check it out!) She also makes this fantabulous raw goat milk cheese that is like heaven in my mouth (I love cheese!). There is also a man who hand carves wooden bowls and they are beautiful (I have one sitting on a shelf by the door.) I prefer making myself or buying handmade. Sometimes the handmade stuff may have a higher price tag, but the quality is usually outstanding and theres something about knowing that the person you are giving your money to put their time,effort and love in to what they made that makes it well worth it. oh, and my email is [email protected]
The older I get the more I value handmade/small/personal. I’m definitely realizing that frugal doesn’t necessarily mean cheap. Sometimes it’s a better value to pay more for an item that has been handcrafted with care. Sometimes, for me anyway, it’s not just a matter of value – but of principle, as well. It’s getting to where it grates to go to a big box store and spend my money on items that outsource manufacturing to places that care about nothing but a bottom line. I would rather support someone local with a passion for what they do. This mindset is also translating to other areas for my family as well. Yesterday, I went to the dentist. Not a group of dentists, but a man who has had a private practice for decades. He doesn’t have the high-tech new-fangled fancy equipment that the last place I went to has. But, what his does have is a skill that relies on his brain instead of the equipment alone. And, when I got there the first thing he did was to ask about my husband and my son by name. He remembers us and what we do. And, he’s interested in caring for people – not just raking in as much cash as possible. Another instance where supporting craftsmen has come into play lately is this. I am starting a new business myself and needed labels for my product. I didn’t want to go a large chain supplier for that. Instead, I found a local print shop for my needs. Supporting local people and businesses is what made this country so strong economically. We took care of each other. I’m so happy to see that there is a shift getting back to that mindset. That’s why it excites me to be able to support people like the artisans you have featured here.
I want the love!
I would love to win the basket or the gift certificate! I try to make as many of my own products as I can and buy handmade when I am not able to. There are so many great handmade products out there. I love trying as many as possible!
Betty you rock, this blog is one of my all time favorites!
I’d luuurrrrve to win the love! [email protected]
I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to win the basket! (Or gift certificate).
I would love to win the basket or the gift certificate. I love making our own products or buying them homemade because they have soul and are imbued with care and love (the secret and most important ingredients!) They feel much better to use. I also enjoy supporting the women and men, mothers and fathers who are putting their vision out there – much more than I would enjoy supporting Target or Wal-mart (which we have finally come to avoid almost entirely!)
I would love to win the basket or the gift certificate. I’m a new reader and new crunchy follower…just made my own deodorant yesterday! I try to buy handmade over mass produced whenever possible or whenever I can’t make it myself. Being somewhat crafty, I know how important it is to have a buyer love what I make, so I try to share that feeling with others. Thanks for the giveaway and thanks for all your wonderful ideas!
I’d love to put my name in the hat for the gift certificate (poor little Aussie here can’t get that delightful basket). I suppose my thoughts on buying handmade boil down to a few key points – greater access to information, lower environmental impact, and community.
If I buy handmade from a smaller seller I can ask all of those things I’ve been wondering about the product’s manufacture. I can find out where they source their ingredients, why they use what they use, and how they recommend I use their product to get the most out of it.If I buy handmade I can generally guarantee there’ll be less packaging, less transport, and less long-term storage.
And best of all, if I buy handmade I can chat to the person who made my product. I love a good chat.
But, like everything, I think handmade is sometimes not the best option. It always comes down to the individual product and producer, and knowing what is important to you.
Ahhh, I want the love! Although I suppose my chances are greatly reduced since I think I’m the first one to comment…ah well.
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