The fact it was for me. Not for a practical purpose, not for a specific occasion Just a little treat for me. That was my stumbling block. I see handmade as luxury and why should I buy myself luxuries? I pondered on this the day I received the brooch. It was even more stunning close up and so well made. I love it and it brings me pleasure to look at it, so why the hesitation?
I wouldn't hesitate to spend £10 on a luxury gift for a friend. I treat myself to Costa coffee and cake which isn't cheap. I'd buy myself perfume because I "need" it. So why did I have to convince myself to buy this brooch?
I decided to write about this today as I want to show you the brooch in question, but I also would like some feedback. Do you buy yourself little treats, little luxuries? If so, are they handmade? Would you have hesitated to buy yourself a £10 handmade treat that you loved?
I suspect that some people will think the same way as me, and if you're one of those people then I urge you to go over to Etsy/Folksy/NOTHS, any handmade shop, and treat yourself. I work full time and I work hard, I may be hard up at the minute (rebuilding a falling down house will not be cheap!) but I can afford a tenner on something special now and then. I'm going to do it once a month. Each payday I'm going to bag myself a handmade item that I fall in love with. Not for any practical reason, just because. Join me?
Oh, and the brooch in question:
It's by Pat's Paraphernalia, you can find her shop here and here.
I would love to know what you think about this subject, and I'd love to know if you bought anything handmade after reading this!
16 comments:
Your brooch is lovely...
And you are right, we are always at the bottom of the list...
Have a pleasant weekend.
Hug
Anna
That's beautiful! I'm always so reluctant to buy handmade for myself, it's bad enough just making something for myself! I might just give it a go though, I like the thought of setting aside a little money to do that once a month. Plus I'm helping the economy right?
I'm skinty mcginty at the minute, may possibly be being ripped off by the emigration company so I am ignoring them for now but they want £2k for doing nothing within the space of 3 months and they already have a retainer. I do like the sentiment behind this though and I think as people wot make stuff, we value handmade more.
Wendy, Your brooch is awesome I love it. I sometimes buy myself things and I feel guilty afterwards, but hubby then says its ok.I love handmade bears so I don't buy them often since they can be a little to pricey.
That's a beautiful pin and I wouldn't hesitate to get one for myself too. I always try to buy handmade items. I spent about $75 on a gorgeous beaded amulet bag from an artist in Victoria BC. I purchased an amazing painting for $35 from another artist in BC. Always buy from artists!
yep, I think we're all the same, although I tend to spend any spare cash on fabric at the moment ;)
It is hard to spend money on yourself when there are so many other things that need cash spent on them. We never have a problem giving our boys money and they don't seem to have a problem treating themselves, so we have resolved to be more generous to ourselves from now on.
The brooch is really pretty.
I have to admit that it's much easier for me to buy something nice for someone else than it is for me. As well, I have a difficult time buying myself handmade items that I'm drawn to because I will look at something and think, "It's lovely. But if you really want it, make it yourself." This started out of necessity when we barely had enough to get by each month and I suppose it just became ingrained habit.
Oh, what a beauty, Wendy!
Good for you. So smart to treat yourself and even better that your treat will support an artisan. Sadly, I don't do this for myself, like you, I find it more likely that I will buy for others. Silly, really. Thanks for the nudge in the right direction.
lovely brooch and there is nothing wrong with a treat for yourself ....
Hugz
I rarely restrict myself from buying fabric or patterns or sewing notions when I really want them, so I was in before you hit the PUBLISH button! ;)
It's a beautiful brooch. I'm with the others, tend to think I'll make it myself, but never do. Don't think twice about doing it for others, lol
It's a very pretty brooch and worth what you paid, I do buy handmade from friends with etsy or folksy shops, but not others, although I do buy craft supplies from etsy sellers
What a gorgeous brooch - I love the colours and it looks very well crafted.
The brooch is beautiful I'm so pleased you treated yourself to it, I don't know we struggle to treat ourselves but I think we are so wroth it x
Beautiful brooch - good on you for treating yourself! Totally get where you're coming from, somehow it seems much easier to spend the money on someone else than on ourselves! Glad you indulged!
I mostly treat myself with fabric hehehe. Although I bought myself some earrings for my kids to give me for Mother's Day. Does that count?!
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