| Mass production is the producing of identical items | | | | people wear jewelry is to stand out. We want to |
| in extremely large volume on a continuous basis. | | | | wear jewelry that's as unique and individual as we |
| It is usually done on an assembly line by laborers | | | | are. We want it to represent us as such. Your |
| who often use specialized machinery and have | | | | local chain department store may have some |
| low skill levels. It's popular because, of course, | | | | attractive jewelry, but it's not really symbolic of |
| more products are made at a cheaper cost, | | | | who we are as individuals because everyone is |
| thereby making the final product itself less | | | | wearing the same thing. |
| expensive than hand crafted products. Ever since | | | | Hand crafted jewelry is original. You can pick a |
| Henry Ford created the Ford Model T. in the early | | | | one of a kind piece of jewelry that embodies |
| 20th Century, mass production has taken over | | | | your individual taste. If you like dainty things and |
| the world at the expense of the small business | | | | specific color combinations, you might choose to |
| owner, the outstanding customer service only a | | | | wear sparkling Swarovski Crystal earrings in your |
| small business owner can give, and the hand | | | | favorite colors. If you have a bold personality, you |
| crafted products they create. | | | | might wear something bright and sassy that will |
| Low cost? Sounds great, doesn't it, but what | | | | really catch someone's eye. If there is something |
| about quality? When laborers produce jewelry on | | | | you like, but cannot find, many crafters take |
| an assembly line, they aren't putting the time or | | | | pleasure in creating exactly what you ask for. |
| effort into making sure they are perfect and | | | | Of course, mass production has its advantages |
| blemish free. They do exactly what their job is-no | | | | too, but the sad thing is that it doesn't represent |
| more, no less-because that's really all they have | | | | American pride, nor does it support the small |
| time for and that's what they get paid to do. An | | | | business owner. Large chain retailers are |
| anklet might look pretty when purchased, but | | | | wonderful for the general population. They make |
| what good is it going to do you if you only get to | | | | shopping easier and more affordable for middle |
| wear it once and it snaps in two because | | | | class society, but many items you see at these |
| inspections aren't that thorough? | | | | stores are imported. Quality is poor and the small |
| Crafters take pride in the quality of their products. | | | | business owner struggles to support his |
| When a crafter creates an item, you can be sure | | | | family-often putting them out of business. |
| that time, talent, thought and energy go into its | | | | If you ask me the reasons to buy handcrafted |
| creation. Great effort has gone into each individual | | | | jewelry far outweigh those of buying mass |
| piece-making certain every one is lovely and of | | | | produced. Handcrafted jewelry is a superior, |
| the highest quality. | | | | quality product, it is unique and original, and it |
| How about originality? When you buy mass | | | | supports the small business owner. I think I'll |
| produced, you get what everyone else has. | | | | splurge on the hand crafted jewelry. Which do |
| Sometimes that's fine, but one reason many | | | | you think is the better choice? |