Step two

Making

So much is lost between production and purchase. We never meet the person or people, or machine, who make our goods. There is a massive disconnect that is hurting us all. The quality of materials has depleted, customer service is so rare that it is nearly obsolete, prices of goods have sky rocketed. Pollution and the use of fuels stains the things we own or eat. No one claims responsibility for these things, it's simply past on to the closest scape goat and forgotten. It's so much easier not to think about it, to close our eyes and consume.

The satisfaction that comes from making something ourselves is so fulfilling for us. It's therapeutic and rewarding. There are few things better, or easier than homemade bread for example. When we make something instead of buying it it becomes instantly special, unique and we become aware at the time, energy and materials it takes to create. We suddenly are reconnected to the source of what we need, aware that it takes cotton to make fabric, yeast to make bread, dirt to make food, and time to enjoy the process. We are forced to slow down, and use our brains, creative energy and relationships to arrive at a solution to achieve what we need, or want.

Making things is not easy though. It eagerly consumes time. Lots of it. We feel it is worth the reward of slowing down our world, examining our purchases and protecting the things that can not protect themselves from humans harm. It also takes skill, practice and sometimes tools. There are many things that we cannot make, we don't have the appropriate tools or training. But, someone out there does. We want to find them, and buy a product that they make, appreciating the skill behind it. We cannot make a glass vase, but we can find someone who blows glass and when we purchase a vase from that person we establish a relationship, an appreciation for the work and skill. It will not be something we re-sell or throw out, we will treasure that handmade item because we have reconnected to the source of it.

We have so much to learn about making things. But we can't wait to learn!