I used to love crafts as a kid, I was never that great at it though. Oh, the shame! These days I spend a lot of time pinning craft ideas on pinterest or favouriting shops on Etsy. Buying on the high street can be impersonal, you don’t know who made that rug/shirt/candle. Buying handmade gives you a connection to the person who made it, sometimes they have made the item directly for you with a custom order.
I am more likely to return to a handmade seller, as they offer a more personal service than on the high street. You also find that they are using mainly UK products to make their items and of course they are made here too. It really does matter!
Another site that is great for showcasing everything handmade is instagram. In fact it’s probably the site that refers me to more etsy shops than google does! Being able to see photos of all the products and get an idea about the seller before you purchase is great. Small businesses are so important to the UK economy and, as I have already mentioned the personal touch by a small business can never be undervalued. It matters to feel important as a customer!
I came across the LoveUKHandmade via instagram as I was looking for a UK seller for some home furnishings. The instagram page features small businesses and designers in the UK. This is a great way to support smaller businesses and it’s also great for people like me, who want to find something from a UK seller.
They always contact page owners to make sure they can use their images but it’s a great way to get eyes on your work. If you’re looking for a little push with your handmade business then follow LoveUKHandmade on instagram now!