January 2018 YHH Mag

Stephanie sews “eco-friendly and eco-efficient” creations, and crochets using
her own patterns, a time-consuming process, yielding high quality results.
The finished product contains more than just quality materials, though.
Shevelkin remarks, “All of my items are handmade with my two hands and
lots of love... I want you to love and enjoy my creations as much as I have
making them for you.”
Handmade = supporting someone from your community, as well
as small businesses
Small business truly is the backbone and heartbeat of America.
When you choose to purchase items from your community, you are making
a positive impact. Your money stays in the community, helping it to
flourish and grow.
Vanessa Offerman, a graphic designer, creates every design in her shop.
She prides herself on “one on one custom design and assistance with printing
preferences and ideas.”
Her business is BASH Paper
Boutique, and while not
handmade in a traditional
sense, Vanessa’s work highly
personalized and created
solely by her. Her business
allows her to be a work-athome
mother who balances
her business, homework, and
being present for her children.
Vanessa’s designs make memories.
Photo credit: BASH Paper Boutique
Because many artisans are self-employed or own small businesses, they appreciate
and savor each and every sale. They are also in tight competition
with larger stores that have greater resources, so many artisans offer exceptional
customer service to compete.
For example, Scents of the Northwest
offers special perks to all customers.
Jessica McDaniel, owner and founder,
explains, “I offer 10% off every reorder
and free local delivery so my customers
don’t have to pay shipping, because
let’s face it- candles get heavy!”
Handmade = supporting age old traditions
If it weren’t for artisans, many traditional methods for crafting wares would
be phased out and disappear completely, due to the rise of machinery and
assembly lines. Hand thrown pottery, paper jewelry, book binding, blown
glass, blacksmithing, and wool spinning would all potentially lose their
place in our culture.
I strongly believe that art and beauty have
intrinsic value in our lives. While a thin
plastic mask could be purchased for only
a few dollars, this oversized rhino mask,
created by artist Kerry Logan through her
business, By the Creek Creations, is an
amazing work of art. She is able to sustain
her craft through patronage of others who
also value her work. We all benefit from
the peculiarity of her work- it provokes
thought, wonder, and inspiration.
With Scents of the Northwest handmade candles,
customers know the exact ingredients in
each candle. McDaniel also boasts a longer,
cleaner burn. Photo credit: Jessica McDaniel
Photo credit: Kerry Logan