The purpose of this site is to connect Pennsylvanian producers of handmade goods with Pennsylvanians who want to buy said goods. But why would you want to buy handmade products? Apart from the uniqueness of handmade goods, buying handmade contributes to rebuilding our economy into a more sustainable structure. When you purchase directly from the producer of the item, all of the profit goes directly to them and they use that money to as they see fit. They can reinvest it into their business, purchase food from a local farmer, donate it to charity, save it in a locally owned bank… Ideally that money is invested back into the local economy in some way.
By purchasing handmade goods, you are ensuring that the person producing the item is not in a sweat shop, or paid below living wage, or forced to work while sick so that they’re not fired. A handmade product is produced with love, using innate talents or acquired skills, in a positive working environment.
By clicking on the button below, you can take the Handmade Pledge and pledge to buy & ask for handmade gifts throughout the year.
Click here to find 101 reasons to buy handmade.
Buying local, of course, is the other side of the same coin. The big box stores (Walmart, Target, chain supermarkets) & the internet have made purchasing from people in our own community virtually obsolete. Wealth is constantly being distributed out of our communities and into the hands of people who are not invested in our neighborhoods, local governments, and organizations. Purchasing goods from your neighbors means wealth is injected into your community. When you buy local, you also reduce your carbon footprint because goods do not have to travel as far to get to you. Many handmade goods are also made from locally sourced materials, often recycled, therefore directly reducing the amount of waste your community produces.
Buy Local Now
This website will strive to be a resource for you to positively impact your community. I hope that you will continue to come back, time and again, to see what your artisan neighbors are up to, find the perfect gift for a loved one, or learn about the business of selling handmade products in the Keystone State. Please grab the Handmade in PA.net button to the right to let people know that you’re building the new economy by purchasing locally-made, handmade goods!
Please leave me a comment below telling me why you buy local or handmade!
I try to adhere to those principles as much as possible. We have a local Farmer’s market/nursery that I visit frequently. When the need for a repairman is required, we try to stick with the ones closest to where we live. I buy tons of goodies from Etsy, both local and out of state. It will be great to come here for an easy source of PA stores to support when I need to BUY. Thanks!