Why Handmade Matters
More Than Just a Bag
In a world full of mass production and overnight shipping, there’s something quietly powerful about choosing handmade. Whether it’s box pouch you reach for when you’re packing for vacation or the zipper pouch with the cute floral pattern that’s always in your purse, handcrafted goods carry meaning that factory made simply can’t replicate.
A Human Touch in Every Stitch
When you buy handmade, you’re supporting real people - not factories. I design, choose the materials, cut, sew, and package every cosmetic bag and accessory myself, often while listening to my fave true crime podcasts and daydreaming about my next camping trip. There’s intentionality in the process: the way I choose my fabrics, the way I craft my products, and the way I add little details to improve the functionality and feel of each design.
Handmade items carry a part of the maker in them - our values, inspirations, and small imperfections that make each piece one of a kind.
A More Thoughtful Alternative
Fast fashion and factory-made products often come at a hidden cost: environmental waste, low wages, and generic design. Choosing handmade is a way to opt out of that system. Many handmade businesses, mine included, prioritize quality over quantity and try to make more responsible material choices - whether it’s minimizing the waste from a cut of fabric, repurposing fabric scraps, or sourcing eco-conscious shipping materials when possible.
It’s not just about perfection. It’s about purpose.
Supporting a Dream, Not Just a Product
Every time a customer chooses one of my handcrafted bags, it’s more than a sale - it’s a vote of confidence. You’re helping me continue to live a creative life, support my family, and keep doing what I love. You’re directly contributing to the survival of small, creative businesses everywhere.
Anna and her dog, Bennie, on their vacation in Shenandoah National Park
A Connection to Nature and to Each Other
My designs are rooted in the natural world - wildflowers, forests, and the Adirondack Mountains that I love so dearly - because nature reminds us to slow down and be present. Handmade items do the same. They invite you to feel more connected to your purchases, to shop with intention and find products that truly speak to you and reflect your personality and values, and to think of the person - the heart and the hands - behind the items that bring you joy.
So next time you’re choosing a gift or a little something for yourself, consider choosing handmade. Because it matters - more now than ever.
Want more stories from the studio or behind the scenes sneak peeks? Sign up for the newsletter or follow me on instagram @NorthboundBoutique for a closer look at what goes into each handmade piece.
