14
Investigative stories
Are handmade products
Many products claim to be handmade, but Nikki White investigates whether these could
possibly be manufactured on a mass scale instead of being crafted by hand.
M
any products claim to
be handmade, when
they are not, for the
profit that can be gained from
selling them.
Buying a handmade product is
buying something unique and
supporting someone’s business. Abi
Jackson, owner of The Stitch and
Make Studio in Northampton, argues.
“Handmade products have a certain
appeal because people wish to buy
into the ‘story’ behind the product;
people they may have met and those
who want to support their business.”
The appeal of a ‘handmade’ label
attached to the clothing increases its
desirability: Abi explains that it’s all
because people are very aware of the
provenance of products.
“Products that are ha