An Ode to Handmade: Why Artisan Goods Still Matter Today

In a world full of fast fixes and fleeting trends, handmade items remind us to slow down. These goods carry fingerprints instead of barcodes—crafted with heritage techniques, fair labor, and natural materials. They're not just “things”—they’re reflections of human intention.

At Best Brushes, we seek out Artisan makers from around the world who are keeping craftsmanship alive—from soap masters in Germany to felt artists in Peru. This guide is a love letter to the handmade—why it matters, and how you can bring it home.

This isn’t just about nostalgia. It’s about purpose, sustainability, and rediscovering what it means to truly value what we bring into our homes.

Handmade goods represent:

• Skill over speed – No assembly lines. Just careful, skilled hands.

• Value over volume – Higher quality means fewer replacements.

• Connection over consumption – You know the story behind what you own.

• Sustainability over waste – Many handmade pieces use recycled or natural materials.

Whether you’re shopping for your home, your body, or your family—handcrafted items offer a way to live with meaning, not just more stuff.

Handcrafted in Peru using 100% alpaca fiber, each of our Felted Animals (from the humpback whale to the bluebird) is made using fair-trade practices and centuries-old felting techniques.

• Every piece is needle-felted by hand

• Natural dyes bring them to life with subtle, realistic hues

• Perfect for kids, collectors, or as a gentle shelf accent

Why it matters: These toys support artisans, preserve traditional techniques, and offer a plastic-free alternative to mass-market plush.

For 180 years,  Klar Seifen  has been producing plant-based soaps in Heidelberg, Germany—without animal testing, palm oil, or microplastics.

At Best Brushes, we’re proud to be the exclusive U.S. partner .
Explore our Klar collection and get a  discount here.

Why it matters: Klar doesn’t just make soap—they preserve tradition, protect your skin, and reduce plastic with solid alternatives that last.

From Saree Pumpkins to Kantha Throws, Asha Project’s women artisans in India handcraft each piece using discarded materials and age-old techniques. Kantha stitching layers recycled fabric into thick, cozy blankets and table runners.

Why it matters: Every purchase helps provide fair wages and steady income to women in rural India, while reducing textile waste and preserving ancient skills. Learn more at ashaprojectindia.com .

Crafted by a small family-run workshop in Lithuania, Friendly Toys offers beautifully made wooden toys that reflect old-world craftsmanship and modern sustainability. Each piece is hand-sanded, painted with natural milk paint, and sealed with linseed oil for a durable, child-safe finish.

• Free from plastic, batteries, or electronic parts

• Made from FSC-certified birch and beech wood

• Encourages open-ended, imaginative play

• Finished with non-toxic, eco-friendly materials

From the wooden toy airplane to the pretend bakery set, these toys are designed to be handled, cherished, and passed down. They're not just playthings—they’re heirlooms in the making.

Why it matters:
Mass-produced toys often prioritize novelty over longevity. Friendly Toys offers the opposite: a return to thoughtful play, simple design, and tools that support a child’s natural curiosity without overstimulation.

Each Rowe Pottery piece is hand-thrown in Wisconsin using local clay and fired with traditional salt glaze techniques. Our best-selling Yellowware Pie Plate is both an eye-catcher and a workhorse.

• Made in the USA since 1975

• Safe for oven, microwave, and dishwasher

• No two pieces are exactly alike

Why it matters: You’re supporting American artisans and cooking with real ceramic—not mass-produced ceramic lookalikes.

In a time when almost everything is automated, fast, and forgettable, handmade goods stand out because they’re made to last. They carry stories, intention, and quiet integrity. When we choose to bring these pieces into our homes, we're not just supporting artisans—we’re reclaiming a slower, more meaningful way of living.

So whether it’s a hand-felted bird, a bar of traditional soap, or a ceramic pie plate passed from oven to table, may each object remind you that the best things in life are still made by hand—and made to be treasured.