why i buy homemade

remember when there was that one kid in school who didn’t have store bought clothes? the one who always had these funky weird garments, nothing in style, and there was always something floral? yeah, that kid in my memory was never the popular kid. it was always the one wearing Guess jeans, Esprit bags, LA gear tennis shoes, etc, who was the “cool” kid. well, since i started buying homemade clothes for my girls, i no longer believe in the first kid. did fabric people finally get on the ball and come up with modern fabrics, or maybe patterns just became available in more stylish clothes. regardless, i’ve discovered a pure love of homemade clothes, accessories, and other things i’d never even considered before. i mean, i’ve always been a fan of clothes and other things that are “outside the box”, different from what everyone else has, so i guess it just fit

but why homemade? here’s my shopping list of reasons:

•there has been much hubbalu about items from China, products with garbage in them, child labor, etc. buying something homemade from someone you “know” (and i say know in quotations because a lot of the people who make stuff for me i’ve never met in person, but i know them online) where the item is coming from.

•i’m a mom. most of the people who make homemade items and sell them online are moms. we have that in common (they have more talent than me). most of the moms who sell online are work at home moms (WAHM) who are trying to supplement their family’s income with their small business. i would much rather spend a few more dollars on something and help support a WAHM be able to stay at home with her children, than keep giving tons of money to large companies.

•in the clothing department, my girls have outfits that are made just for them, i pick style, fabric, colors, etc, and have an adorable outfit made just for them! it’s special, and for the same price as a gymboree or gap outfit, i have something that fits perfect, and is a one of a kind piece of wearable art! for me, even, i have clothing that was made specifically for me. i’ve gotten more compliments on all of our homemade clothes than regular clothes.

•safety- if you look at a lot of the ingredients in regular beauty products (shampoo, makeup, lotion) there are a lot of things in there that are NOT good for you. like, did you know that the reason johnson’s no more tears shampoo is no more tears, is because it has an anesthetic to numb your child’s eyes? there’s also no weird testing, or manufacturing practices of the large companies/factories of small businesses.

•back to the mom thing. when i buy things from moms at hyenacart and etsy, i don’t just purchase an item, pay, and move on. most of these ladies i’ve talked to outside of purchases. you get to know these people, and they become friends! have i ever met them? not usually (i’ve met 2!) but it’s more than customer service, it’s a person who takes pride in their business, their product, and developing relationships with their customers.

•the “green” factor. most products are earth-friendly made, both in manufacturing, ingredients, and use!

i’m sure there’s more reasons, but those are my main ones. what kind of homemade products have i used? why, i’m so glad you asked!

•clothes (skirts, tops, dresses, pants, shorts, headbands, etc)

•shampoo/conditioner/face cleanser

•body wash

•soap

•bruise balm

•healing balm

•lotion

•lip balm

•jewelry

•underwear (yup)