Blogging - Fighting the power of beige

Hurray I'be been looking forward to being a hostess here for ages, this is such a great little community and such a well designed one, seriously styling.

Hiya I'm Jodie, a 23 UK based craftaholic currently masquerading as a marketing assistant for a small firm (for top secret non dull reasons don't you know). I have an original form blog at Blogger where I try to explain to everyone just how many amazing and diverse handmade products there are out there. The blog is tied into my etsy shop and is called Pretty Little Love Objects because that's what I try to create, love tokens in the form of jewellery or paper products that bring a person joy when they receive them. I think everyone shoudl have a multitude of love objects in their life, whether in the form of a journal, a pendant or a wooden sculpture, something that they adore and want to caress and carry with them, something that makes them feel loved just by looking at it.

The large corporations have spent valuable marketing money trying to convince us that not only are they the best option but that they are the only option. Now all good crafters know there is a whole world of quality handmade goods in pretty much every country and countless shop communities on the web but Ms non crafty doesn't necessarily understand this and the chain stores aren't exactly going to bring it to her attention. Sadly although we'd all like to believe that companies care about us (and they certainly spend enough money making cuddly warm adverts to try to convince that they do) they just want to make as much money with as little fuss as possible.

Buying handmade is such an amazing awakening for consumers who have never done it before. Suddenly they relaise that they don't have to walk around in the same skirt all their friends have in a different colour there are other fashiontastic worlds out there and people are making items they will simply have to have right now. Buying handmade is an exclusive experience like dropping into Camden market or a designer store full of one offs but the great thing is that anyone can get the amazing things they desire at an affordable price. People can talk to the designers and to a certain extent verify how well made items will be. When they begin to relise that they can also get custom work that translates their vague imaginings into a masterfully made dress or necklace they're ready to tell the big brands where to go.

So I'm inspired to blog by the fantastic array or crafters and products that are available. I have a pretty good eye for discovering things. I was using Badger Balm when it was just a small unnoticed line in Boots and I pre-empted the current UK love of Modest Mouse. I like to flatter myself that I have a bit of an eye and it thrills me to find fabulous unique items to display at my blog. I also love making crafty connections with sellers out there. I just took part in a swap here and it was great to connect with a fun individual and find out lots of things about them.

That's it for now, I'll be popping back a few times this week and I hope to see lots of fun people pop up in the comments and to keep you all entertained.