Why do we only work with artisans?

Why do we believe in working with artisans?

When we set off to create a fantasy jewelry webshop, one of the first things we decided was to work exclusively with artisan partners. We longed to have a stronger connection with our tabletop, online FRPG, fantasy-nerd and steampunk accessorizing sides, and wanted to offer a more qualitative way of expressing fandom than cheap mugs, notepads or fridge magnets with a sticker.

Most of all, we wished for a personal touch in what we work with day to day. Artisan jewelry offers just that, both to us and to Merch Hunter customers. Artisan items have a history, they’re unique, and kind of develop their own personalities. Aside from the quality craftsmanship, they embody the joy of creation. The very same joy the artisan felt while shaping them, inspired us to select them, and hopefully, the very same joy you will experience while wearing them.

Jewel of Foams set

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1. Craftsmanship has value beyond mere quality

The oldest known jewelry is 90-100.000 years old. It is uncertain whether the three shell beads found by researchers in Skhul cave were part of a necklace, a bracelet or some other form of decoration. But it is certain that they were deliberately moved from the ocean shore far away, and they were deliberately perforated to be worn. The unknown artisan over 90.000 years ago had a clear vision of what they wanted to create. Way back then they actually had tools, a plan, skills, and we’d like to believe someone took pleasure in wearing their work.

Making jewelry is one of the oldest crafts of mankind. It has several branches, many of which are themselves thousands of years old. By learning them, an artisan also acquires a collective knowledge that has been passed down and perfected for countless generations. It’s something that connects us to our past. For every handcraft jewelry item was born out of the very same human desire that perforated those shell beads over 90.000 years ago.

2. Each handcrafted item is unique

Mass produced items are known for looking identical, though even they can have some subtle variations. Yet the distinctions of such standardized items are considered a flaw. The characteristics of two handcrafted items are a feature.

The difference is not due to a faulty assembly line, the difference comes from the creator and the material. The antlers that never grow quite the same way, the minerals that develop throughout the ages, the unique patterns and faults of leather, or free hammer strikes and cord bends that are never identical.

You might not be able to tell why the necklace with that slightly larger bend or deeper shade speaks to you more. Even handcrafted items can look almost identical at times. But they will always feel unique, as if they actually had different personalities.

3. Handcraft jewelry depicts a story

The story of how an artisan jewelry was created is only the last tale it has to tell you. Each unique trait adds a new episode, albeit most of them will remain shrouded in mystery. We will never know the deer who shed the antlers, never know precisely how much heat the minerals endured, or how many strikes it took to hammer that metal flat – not even how many failed tries it took the artisan to fully master bending cords like that.

But we can imagine. We can certainly imagine more than a perfectly executed manufacture process. Handcraft jewelry items have a connection to this world already, and will continue to take part in many more daily adventures and challenges with their new owner.

4. The joy of creation makes everybody’s day

People like to express themselves in various ways, and luckily for us, artisans find it rewarding to do it through their art and craft. The joy of that self-expression and creation is something we believe only enriches our world. It is something you cannot manufacture, but something that will shine through their work. That is why we are happy to portray designs that popped out of the heads of our artisan partners, as well as ideas that were developed together.

Discovering that delicate care, withheld excitement and nurturing determination in the jewelry we select for our store is what we are truly happy to be a part of. From the first moment the idea takes shape, to the finishing touches of crafting the item, even the pictures and description it inspires. This caring joy is, at the end of the day, what we hope to share with you.

5. Artisans are cool

Artisans are unique and quirky people in the best possible way. We like to be a part of their creativity, their characteristic and positive energies, seeing the world through their eyes. But more often than not they are also small business owners, who have both feet firmly on the ground. So by supporting them and their work, you not only get a glimpse of their enchanting world, but you also support a small business owner, helping them to make their dream come true.

Plus, they’re super cool people to hang out with! Hopefully they’ll forgive us for totally nerding out in their workshops! 🙂

What do you gain from favoring artisan jewelry?

We live in an age where many things have become so devalued that we take them for granted. One of those things is the value of time. If lockdown had any positive outcomes, one of them surely was that many of us realized, we could spend our time more attentively, and be more present in the moment. Caring, skill and knowledge can also manifest and show only by taking the time. This is the main characteristic that differentiates handcraft artisan jewelry.

The time it took for those materials to form, grow, take shape. The time it took for the artisan to master the craft. Heck, the time it took for the craft to develop through countless generations! And most recently the time it took to dream up the design, and create it by hand.

The result is a unique item with a rich and enigmatic history, conceived in the imagination of the artisan, birthed by a craft as old as humanity, and bearing the joy of creation in its characteristics. Moreover with each purchase you support our little business as well as our wonderful artisan partners at the same time. We truly hope you find a piece to your liking that will sneak some fantasy into your everyday life!