Comments on: Mary Portas Replies to the Handmade Community http://www.indiequarter.com/blog/2010/08/20/mary-portas-replies-to-the-handmade-community/ Indie Quarter showcases the work of independent designers including fashion designers, jewellery designers, photographers, artists, ceramicists etc. Sat, 17 Mar 2012 01:13:57 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Mallory http://www.indiequarter.com/blog/2010/08/20/mary-portas-replies-to-the-handmade-community/comment-page-1/#comment-108602 Mallory Fri, 20 Aug 2010 20:40:55 +0000 http://www.indiequarter.com/blog/?p=1544#comment-108602 Thanks for sharing that link! I've watched one episode of her show on BBCAmerica, and I thought it was pretty interesting. I think she definitely raised some valid points, and yes, in the end I think it will come down to the individual designers, as well as retailers who sell handmade goods, to help customers make the leap through great design and merchandising. Handmade designers need to keep treating their products like any other successful business person would, while keeping in mind what makes these products unique and different from what's already out there. Just like there are hobbyists in our industry, there are also crappy cars and good ones, cheap televisions and high end plasma screens. Customers can see the difference and make the choice, but they also need the information to do so. Thanks for sharing that link! I’ve watched one episode of her show on BBCAmerica, and I thought it was pretty interesting. I think she definitely raised some valid points, and yes, in the end I think it will come down to the individual designers, as well as retailers who sell handmade goods, to help customers make the leap through great design and merchandising. Handmade designers need to keep treating their products like any other successful business person would, while keeping in mind what makes these products unique and different from what’s already out there. Just like there are hobbyists in our industry, there are also crappy cars and good ones, cheap televisions and high end plasma screens. Customers can see the difference and make the choice, but they also need the information to do so.

]]> By: Jenny http://www.indiequarter.com/blog/2010/08/20/mary-portas-replies-to-the-handmade-community/comment-page-1/#comment-108576 Jenny Fri, 20 Aug 2010 15:15:18 +0000 http://www.indiequarter.com/blog/?p=1544#comment-108576 I think you've made some good points Claire, both in the comment and in your blog post. And I'd have to agree that it's down to the designer-makers to change perceptions of the industry. However, I think some good points were also raised in the letter and it has certainly sparked a debate. I think you’ve made some good points Claire, both in the comment and in your blog post. And I’d have to agree that it’s down to the designer-makers to change perceptions of the industry.

However, I think some good points were also raised in the letter and it has certainly sparked a debate.

]]> By: Claire http://www.indiequarter.com/blog/2010/08/20/mary-portas-replies-to-the-handmade-community/comment-page-1/#comment-108572 Claire Fri, 20 Aug 2010 14:46:38 +0000 http://www.indiequarter.com/blog/?p=1544#comment-108572 I think it was interesting, the correspondence, but I think that the point... "but she didn’t address the main issue of overall perception of the industry image and accessibility to handmade products.” ..kind of sums the whole situation up. Until the actual points she did address are acted upon by everyone, then that overall perception isn't really going to change. One of the problems with that is that with so many "hobbyists" in the industry, it's very hard to do that. (There's nothing wrong with hobbyists, by the way, but I am sure you get my point!). I wrote a lengthy blog post about my own business' view point on it and why I'm closing my Etsy shop: http://www.misofunky.com/news/2010/08/risky-business/ I think it was interesting, the correspondence, but I think that the point…
“but she didn’t address the main issue of overall perception of the industry image and accessibility to handmade products.”

..kind of sums the whole situation up. Until the actual points she did address are acted upon by everyone, then that overall perception isn’t really going to change. One of the problems with that is that with so many “hobbyists” in the industry, it’s very hard to do that. (There’s nothing wrong with hobbyists, by the way, but I am sure you get my point!).

I wrote a lengthy blog post about my own business’ view point on it and why I’m closing my Etsy shop: http://www.misofunky.com/news/2010/08/risky-business/

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